Schizostachyum brachycladum

Cultivation Details

A plant of lowland tropical areas, where it is found at elevations below 600 metres^[1]. Succeeds on any kind of soil but does best in a sandy loam^[1]. Grows well in a well drained sandy clay or sandy loam soil^[2]. 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]. A mature clump contains about 30 - 50 culms^[3]. Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. The plant flowers continuously and each mature culm in an established clump bears inflorescences terminating leafy branches^[1]. Mature fruits are rarely found^[3]. This species normally retains its vegetative vigour undiminished after flowering^[3].