This magnificent very erect sooty black-culmed bamboo which retain its black colouring after harvesting, is much valued for furniture and musical instrument making in Java. The culms, sometimes with light coloured stripes, are exposed and leafless for some metres then capped with dense downward pointing leaves. The dark hair covered shoot is edible. FULL NAME: JAVA BLACK Gigantochloa atroviolacea HEIGHT WHEN MATURE: 10-15m POLE DIAMETER MATURE: 10cm SHAPE: Upright / slight "V" shape LEAF FORMATION: Culms are visible 1/2 of plant then bushy at top SUGGESTED PLANTING DISTANCE: 1.5m between plants LANDSCAPE OPTIONS: Screen, windbreak, feature plant KNOWN FOR: Matt black and green striped poles with long green leaves OK FOR POTS? Prefers to be in the ground BEST CLIMATE: Full sun to part shade TEMPERATURE RANGE: to -2°C (best in tropical climates) WATERING: Every other day for first month until established. OPTIMIM FEEDING: Twice a year (Spring & Autumn) - suggested Osmocote slow release 6mth BEST SOIL: Free draining soils with good organics turned over. Can mulch with a leaf litter (not tea tree). If soil is sand mix in organic matter. If clay mounding is recommended. SHIPMENT OPTIONS: 200mm pots - can fit up to 6 in a special plant box. 300mm & 45L bags need to be trucked in, see our freight information page for approx pricing and delivery schedules.
