When you select a bamboo species for your particular site there are a

few thing you should keep in mind. First, the size that the mature clump will probably reach. You will find that many bamboo species can vary considerably in size depending on their growing conditions. In shallow soil with minimal feeding and watering, bamboo plants will be smaller and less vigorous, and so the heights mentioned in bamboo descriptions may never be reached. Shoots can easily be shortened while the plants are still small. Also be aware that some bamboos are more upright than others and will take up less space at the same height than others. They can, of course, be pruned back and this can encourage more leaf and branch growth from this point. Second, consider the type of growing conditions that your plants will have. Cold tolerance is a limiting factor with many of the tropical clumping bamboos , yet many others grow well in the subtropical and temperate zones. Here, we have five or ten light frosts (down to 0 degrees Celsius) most years, with the occasional heavy frost (down to -4 degrees C). At this temperature some species suffer damage; though most of our bamboo is unaffected. Some clumping bamboo species are much more cold hardy than others, and you can find figures of -9 or -12 degrees Celsius recorded as tolerable for some bamboo species; figures we have no way of testing here at Kempsey, Australia. Bamboo can thrive in very hot weather if it has enough water. In this part of Australia (the Mid North Coast of New South Wales), our rain falls mainly in summer and autumn, a pattern that fits nicely with the requirements of clumping bamboo. Most years we need to irrigate during spring to help extend the growing season. If you have regular water shortages or don't want to water your bamboo much after it's established, then select the most drought hardy species (like Ventricosa, Oldhami, or even Gracilis). If you have little or no soil, you should also choose these tougher bamboos. Next, if the bamboo is for a particular purpose ; to be useful for something, then choose on that basis from plants that meet the first two requirements. Our table of USES may assist here. Finally consider the ornamental features (colour, texture, form, leaf size, etc.) of the bamboo. If neither size, nor climatic limitations, nor usefulness are important factors at your site , then you can choose purely for appearance.

Screens can be made from living bamboo. They can be trimmed to

height and width, and respond well to pruning especially in the growing season. New shoots can be cut just above a node to control height and you can cut all the shoots to the ground where you don't want the clump

to expand. It's best to choose a plant that is close to your needs for the minimum maintenance. Some are very cold and wind-hardy and very easy to keep looking good. When selecting bamboo species to grow in plantations forbamboo shoots and timber production, there are a number of issues to consider. One concern is that gregarious flowering can cause the death of an entire plantation. Another is that a variety that performs well in another area (or another country), may fail to grow well in your location. Then again, there is the question of productivity. Some species will tend naturally to produce more than others (though may require certain inputs or particular conditions to do so), and this will vary further with rainfall, temperature, ground preparation and soil fertility. All this before you consider various management practices. It seems that the best approach may be to conduct your own trials with a number of varieties before committing to any large scale plantings. We have done this with a selection of bamboo species that are major commercial varieties in their countries of origin, and are seeing good results.

Some bamboos are very easy to grow , and maintain. Like some small
or medium sized trees, that have become valued landscaping plants. Some have more upright habit than others and will take up less space or require less pruning to keep them compact. Some are simply much easier to grow than others and are in need of less maintenance, and will handle wind or frost that would kill many plants. Others require more attention to keep them looking good, as is the case with many other plants. We have chosen to produce mainly bamboo that once established, will do well with the minimum of attention. When we first started buying bamboo plants we learnt some important lessons. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality. Bamboo plants can be expensive because they are difficult to propagate (even if they are easy to grow). Or, because they are new imports that have to repay the high costs that this entails. People sell you whatever they have, whatever they like themselves. Some species are difficult to grow and are very unforgiving if they're allowed to dry out just a little they become very shabby and recover very slowly. Others tend to go shabby every winter if not grown in their ideal situation and recover only in spring. Others are invasive and require soil barriers and maintenance to control their spreading habit. Almost nobody mentions mites or mealy bugs, unless you ask about them. You should try to find out about this before you buy. We have learnt these lessons the hard way. What we have also learnt is that there are a number of truly great bamboos, not only in the traditional or classical sense , but bamboo well suited to modern Australian gardeners and landscapers. Bamboo for the

city: homes, parks and gardens. And, bamboo for rural Australia. Noninvasive bamboo plants that can thrive in cold windy sites, as well as the more adaptable tropical species. We have focused on producing commercial quantities of these few plants, rather than a huge and bewildering range for the bamboo collectors' market, which is already well serviced. No doubt some people will take no notice of any of this and go straight to the Black Bamboo page. Though we have given our best advice and opinions regarding the various bamboo species we offer for sale, and are glad to provide information about bamboo, and we may even suggest a variety for certain situations, ultimately the choice of plants for your particular site is yours. As mentioned elsewhere you should be aware of the size and nature of anything you plant, not just bamboo.

Bamboo

Bamboo also has ecological benefits as it minimizes soil erosion and stabilizes river banks. Bamboo thrives in a wide range of site conditions making it a suitable reforestation species for environmental protection. According to a recent report, there are 12 genera, consisting of 49 species of bamboos that are growing in the Philippines -- 30 erect species and 19 climbing species. Nine erect bamboo species are presently utilized by industries for various purposes. These nine species are summarized in Table 3.

TABLE 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED BAMBOO SPECIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
CULM CHARAC TERISTICS Ht.

Diameter

Length of Intermode (cm) 40-60

DISTRIBUTION

(m) 1. Kauyan tinik Bambusa blumeana 2. Kauayan kiling 10-15 10-25

(cm) 10-20

Widely distributed.

6-10

30-50

Low and medium altitudes. found in

Bambusa vulgaria

backyard along the periphery of cultivated lands, creeks and foothills..

3. Giant bamboo Dendrocalamus as,oer

20

10-20

12-40

Natural groves locally distributed in Bukidnon and South Cotabato. Cultivated lumps in Laguna, Samar and Leyte.

4. Bayog Dendrocalamus

10-15

8-12

15-30

Widely distributed in Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Zambales, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Cebu, Bohol and Lanao.

5. Kaychi Gigantochloa atter

22

6-10

40-50

Natural stands and cultivated clumps in Davao, Surigao, Bukidnon, Samar and Leyte.

6. Bolo Gigantochloa levis 7. Buho Schizostachyum Iumampao 8. Anos Schizostachyum lima 9. Laak Sphaerobambos Philippinensis

10-12

4-6

20-50

Growing in Laguna, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, Panay, Leyte, Basilan.

10-12

4-6

20-50

Growing in Laguna, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, Panay, Leyte, Basilan.

6-8

2-4

12-60

Occurring in Agusan, Mindoro, Rizal, Central and Northern Luzon.

4-6

60-70

Cultivated in Davao del Norte on commercial scale.