Chimonobambusa marmorea

Cultivation Details

Chimonobambusa marmorea is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c or lower when fully dormant^{[1, 2]}. Top growth will often show winter-damage from the cold, but usually recovers by the summer^[3]. The plant grows best in areas with moderate to high rainfall levels and hot summers. Bamboos generally grow best in a sunny or moderately sunny position in a well-drained, fertile, open loam of reasonable quality with plenty of moisture in the growing season^[4]. Especially when grown in areas close to the limits of their hardiness they require a position sheltered from cold or strong winds^[5]. Chimonobambusa species, especially those originating from regions with very mild winters, will often produce their new stems towards the end of the summer, and this can lead to the stem having insufficient time to grow and mature before the winter if the plant is cultivated in areas with cold winters^[1]. Temperate bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually -usually in the spring and early summer, and these stems grow to their maximum height in their first two to three months. Any subsequent growth in the stem in future years is limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. Temperate bamboo species usually grow for many years without flowering. When they do finally flower it is not unusual for all the plants of that species in the region to also flower. They do so profusely over a period of 1 - 3 years and will often then die, probably from exhaustion. Some species, if given plenty of organic matter at this time will gradually recover, although they will look rather poorly for a year or three. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die^[6]. Bamboo species are usually notably resistant to honey fungus^[1]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus^[1]. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die^[6]. A few stems on each plant usually produce flowers in most years without noticeable harm to the plant^[3]. Plants spread rapidly by means of underground suckers and are apt to be invasive in the garden, especially when they are well established^{[3, 1]}. New canes are produced from late April.