Phyllostachys bambusoides “Madake”, “Giant Japanese Timber” – PHB

Description

Also known as ‘Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo’,”this plant has bright green smooth canes and medium size leaves. One of the largest, reliable, easy-to-grow, temperate climate, giant bamboo, it can grow 72′ tall and 6″ in diameter and produces excellent wood. It may reach 50′ with 5″ diameter culms in N. California, and lends a strong, vertical, structural quality to any landscape. Before flowering in the 60’s and 70’s, it was the predominate bamboo cultivated in Japan. Next flowering and die-back not due until approximately 2085. Hardy to -5 degrees. Almost identical to Ph. vivax.

• Origin: China
• Minimum Temperature: 0 F.
• Size in climate of origin: 72’ tall, 6” diam
• Sun/Shade: All-day sun down to a half-day of morning sun  (3-5)
• Recommended Uses: Exceptionally tall screen or grove, useful timber, edible shoots
• Shooting Season: Spring

Care

• Ideal growing conditions: Lots of direct sun, plenty of water and humidity, good drainage.
• Acceptable growing conditions: In shade, should reach 30-35’ in height and get slowly taller.
• Special Care: bambusoides is relatively easy to grow, but it is especially important during the first year to give it plenty of water and have good drainage. To reach its full size of about 70’, must have a minimum of 15’ x 15’ square area in a climate similar to its climate of origin.  To enhance the “open grove” look, cut down smaller canes and some of the new shoots and prune off lower branches on the larger canes. If more screening is desired at the bottom, don’t prune at all.
• Recommended polyethylene plastic root barrier in average soils: 36” x 60 mil

Size

• Size Locally in open ground: 50’ tall, 5” in diameter.  (Note:  5 gal size may reach 30’ in height in 5-7 years in most favorable growing conditions; 15 or 25 gal may reach 30’ in 3-4 years).
• Size locally in contained spaces: To reach 50’ it would need about a 10’ wide space with a long length. To reach maximum height of 70’ it would require a 15’ x 15’ space in a location similar to the climate of origin.

Screening

• Time required locally to fill in a screen, with most favorable growing conditions and care:

Starting with 1 gals, 5’ apart:  4 spring shooting seasons to form a screen, 15-20’ tall then.
Starting with 5 gals, 5’ apart:  3 spring shooting seasons to form a screen, 15-20’ tall then.