Arundinaria wightiana

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate to higher elevations in tropical areas. Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world^[PFAF]. Many bamboo species are monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. Whilst most bamboos only flower at intervals of several years, this species is reported to flower annually without the canes dying^[1].