Warm days are nice.... but is this February? My plants are confused!

It was pure heaven today... sunny 70's in a unusually mild winter day that acted like early April.  Of course, I took advantage of the nice weather and strolled around, finding hints of life on my bamboo plants.  Not sure if I should be shouting in the streets - "Spring is finally here!" or be afraid, very afraid that a usual hard winter freeze will undo all the early beauty.  Thinking positive, I just had to go with the former.

I really don't like winter - its the time of year that gardeners get the least visual joy and you see some of your favorite plants, either die off completely or just look like hell.  So - I just went with it.  Here are some of the sights I saw in the yard today...

On my Hibamnobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima', a new branchlet and leaves are emerging, brought on by the warm weather.

This is a new branchlet emerging from a Bambusa oldhamii 'Giant Clumping Bamboo'.  The new culms have the culm sheath (tan) that protect the nodes and the branchlet is so plump, it it cracking the culm sheath.

Hopefully, this weather will carry on to the true Spring, but of course some precipitation would be good to go along with that.  So, enjoy the warm sunny days while they last!

Cheers!

Sean
Mad Man Bamboo - Rocklin, CA
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
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Bamboo as a privacy screen in Joe's backyard...

Joe, a customer, who purchased Phylostachys bissetti and Phylostachys nigra 'Black Bamboo' sent me photos of how he used bamboo in his backyard. He built some really nice self-contained boxes to hold his running bamboo, large enough to get some good growth on these really nice varieties.

In his message, Joe said, "Some of the culms have literally shot up 6’ in probably 2-3 weeks. Not joking. Some of the plants are spreading out and others are shooting up. This stuff is awesome."

Thanks Joe for sharing your project. Looks great.

Sean

Mad Man Bamboo Nursery - Rocklin, CA

www.madmanbamboo.com

Now accepting pre-orders for bamboo plants through March 27

We are now taking pre-orders for bamboo plants. Plants that are pre-ordered will be available for pick-up here in Rocklin after April 9, 2010.

Pre-ordering bamboo plants is highly recommended if you are looking for a special variety or a large quantity of bamboo, especially for popular varieties like "Giant Clumping Timber Bamboo", "Alphonse Karr", "Mexican Weeping" and "Black Bamboo." It doesn't cost any more to pre-order and we set your plants aside for you.

Here is how it works - send me an e-mail at sean@madmanbamboo.com with the types of bamboo you want, the quantity and the size. 5 gallon plants are $39 each and 15 gallon plants are $95 each. We ask for 50% up front to place the order with the remaining balance payable upon pick-up. We can accept a check or can invoice via Paypal (which allows you to pay by credit card, no membership required an its really easy). Pre-orders need to be completed (e-mail in and 50% deposit paid) no later than 5 pm, Saturday, March 27.

Thanks.

Sean
(916) 300-6335
www.madmanbamboo.com
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