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In early 2012, we found this beautiful bamboo growing in Hua'an, China and attempted to import it via the USDA. That small propagule did not survive the stress of international travel.
I revisited this area of China in 2018 and, once again attempted to import this unique form of Bambusa oldhamii. This time, we succeeded and the imported specimen has passed pathogen testing. It should be released to us from USDA quarantine by 2020 - a full seven years from initial discovery to arrival in Florida.
Our single imported specimen did start to flower in quarantine in March/2019. It seemed to have been stress-induced. We instructed the personnel at the USDA/APHIS facility to cut off all of the flowers and to fertilize. This seemed to be effective as new shoots emerged from the potting soil within a few weeks.
UPDATE: As of 2021 our single specimen in USDA quarantine has completely defoliated but still has green culms. If it doesn't produce new growth the bamboo will not survive. We're not optimistic and are already planning a third collection trip to the same location where this bamboo was found.
This bamboo variety seems to grow a bit smaller that the standard form of B.oldhamii - it will take time to confirm mature dimensions once planted at our nursery.
(Likely) Up to 45' tall and 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 24�F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
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