Himalayacalamus falconeri ‘Damarapa’ “Candy Stripe” – HCFD

Description

A highly decorative plant: gold canes with multiple green stripes become shades of pink, cranberry, and scarlet with dark stripes with exposure to spring and summer sun. Looks best with some leaves trimmed away from lower parts of canes to expose them to sun and show off colors. Masses of leaves grow on long, slender, arching branches. Grows up to 30’ tall with 2” diameter culms in the climate of origin.  Here locally, it can reach 16’ in height with 1.5” diameters.  Prefers a half-day of sun, morning or afternoon, except in climates with frequent 100 degree summer temperatures, where it tolerates morning sun and bright, indirect light only. Hardy to 20 degrees.

• Origin:  Possibly Tibet
• Minimum Temperature: 20 F.
• Size in climate of origin: 30’ tall, 2” diam
• Sun/Shade: Half-day of morning sun to a half-day of afternoon sun (3-4)
• Recommended Uses: Decorative and colorful specimen or screen
• Shooting Season: Spring
• Recent Synonyms: Drepanostachyum hookerianum

Care

• Ideal growing conditions: Will be most colorful in a half-day of sun in the afternoon with some leaves removed to expose culms to sun.  Prefers temperatures in the 60-75 F. range.  Likes moist soil with good drainage, high humidity, and lots of water.
• Acceptable growing conditions: Will grow in warmer climates with afternoon shade and plenty of water.  Most canes will then be yellow with green stripes.  May be grown indoors in a half-day of afternoon sun down to all day bright indirect light, following our recommendation for indoor care.
• Special Care: Looks best with some leaves trimmed away from lower parts of canes to expose to sun and show off colors.

Size

• Size Locally in open ground: 16’ tall, 1.5” in diam