Edible Bamboo
Phyllosachys nudaThe hardiest of the true bamboo, the species nuda can be found naturalized throughout zone 7. The edible parts are the young tender shoots that break easily at ground level in the spring. Prepared like asparagus or with it. This bamboo spreads! Canes are 2" thick, height 15-20'. Leaves are relished by local Pandas. The breeze has a distinct sound through a mature stand. The hardiest of the large bamboos, surviving 0 to 10 degrees F. Zones 7-9.
| Plant Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Pest Resistance | Excellent |
| Disease Resistance | Excellent |
| Drought Tolerance | Very Good |
| Heat Tolerance | Excellent |
| Humidity Tolerance | Excellent |
| Sun Tolerance | Excellent |
| Wet Soil Tolerance | Very Good |
| Shade Tolerance | Fair |
| No Spray | Excellent |
| Salt Tolerance | Fair |
| Deer Resistance | Very Good |
| Thorns | No |
| Soil Type | Adaptable |
| Edible Type | Stalk |
| Self Fertile | Yes |
| this information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, comments/opinions are always welcome | |
Bamboo Care Guide
Bamboo is a very useful plant, for beauty, food, construction, medicine, paper, musical instruments, etc...
Bamboo shoot gathering is a spring affair. Shoots that snap off when bent toward the ground are best to eat. If they are too rubbery and bend but don't snap they are becoming too tough to use.
Cutting length is usually around 6". One day can make a difference in their length as they could be twice that size and less palatable in a 24 hour period. Cut them off around 1" below ground level. Traditionally bamboo shoots are cut and stored in cold water, for a few days, changed daily. In a refrigerator wrapped, they'll keep about a week. Blanched and frozen, they'll keep for a year. Take about 1/4 of all shoots coming up. Taking them all, bamboo can suffer and die. Shoots on P. nuda are fuzzless hence the name 'nuda'.
Shoots can also be dug before they emerge from the ground. It is possible to mound dirt over the emerging shoot to block out light and allow the shoots to increase in size. Once exposed to the light an acid can form and the shoots can become bitter.
Ornamentally, bamboo find their main use as vertical accents and backgrounds. From a distance they make spectacular specimen plants. Bamboo, almost without exception, do well in tubs and containers and will find a spot on any patio or entryway.
Optimum height for Phyllostachys nuda is 20' - 34'. It likes full sun. Nuda can suffer winter damage with temperatures 0° to -10°F, but will reestablish itself after a hard winter. Culms (canes) are 1" plus in diameter.
Planting
If you wish to restrict your bamboo here are a few ways to go about this. Plant in a 1/2 barrel (wood or plastic) with drain holes. Sink container into the ground with about 4" of barrel above the soil line. Potting soil or amended garden soil (ie compost & composed organic matter) can be used to fill the container. Good drainage & moisture retention is essential. Weed barrier fabric or plastic sheeting can also be used to keep spreading bamboo restricted. As long as the barrier goes 3' deep, the bottom can be open. If it's very hot and dry when planting, shade the plant for a couple of weeks. Optimum soil ph is slightly acidic. Bamboo are not salt tolerant so plant 100 yards from the ocean. Avoid boggy areas. Avoid using lime on bamboo. Any grass fertilizer works for bamboo although in our area of Virginia they do fine with none. In Japan, tests revealed 3 times the growth on regularly fertilized groves to unfertilized ones. Bamboo are heave feeders especially nitrogen. Do not plant bamboo near sidewalks and drain fields. Be sure to plan for the growth of your unrestricted bamboo. It will make a beautiful grove visually pleasing throughout the year.
Plan to visit a bamboo grove if you can, they have a charm all their own.
