This superbly erect rapid growing straight-culmed bamboo takes up less space than most smaller bamboos. With its medium sized broad-leafed dark green clean appearance Oldhamii (pronounced old-ham-e-eye) is an ideal slightly larger suburban garden bamboo. Delicious shoots are light green and hairless except for a darker area being revealed by lower culm leaf. A white powder covers the shoots and young culms. The later vivid green culms turn gold in strong sunlight. Beautiful straight timber is highly used for furniture making and lighter internal structures. Large plantings exist in China and for shoot production in cooler climates but it gives a smaller crop than larger species. Used in NZ and Nth NSW for tall orchard and nursery windbreaks. A cold tolerant bamboo, and a must-have for any collector. FULL NAME: OLDHAMII Bambusa oldhamii HEIGHT WHEN MATURE: 10-15m POLE DIAMETER MATURE: 12cm SHAPE: Upright / straight LEAF FORMATION: Culms are visible 1/3 of plant then bushy at top SUGGESTED PLANTING DISTANCE: 1.5m between plants LANDSCAPE OPTIONS: Screen, windbreak, feature plant, sweet edible shoots (once prepared) KNOWN FOR: Tall & upright, dark green leaves, fast growing, hardy, used in plantations OK FOR POTS? Prefers to be in the ground BEST CLIMATE: Full sun to part shade TEMPERATURE RANGE: to -9°C 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.
