Himalayacalamus cupreus
| Himalayacalamus cupreus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Himalayacalamus cupreus
Propagation: Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. There is a degree of dormancy in the seed and it can take 1 - 8 months to germinate at 20 - 25°c, a cold pre-treatment might shorten this time[1]. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available.
Division in spring as new growth commences. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more[2].
Basal cane cuttings.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in British gardens though it is frost-tolerant in its native range and so should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country[3]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a good loamy soil[1]. Succeeds in most soils so long as they do not dry out[2]. Dislikes drought[4]. Prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds[4]. The stems colour more brightly when grown in a sunny position[2], though the leaves curl up in bright sunlight[1]. Succeeds outdoors in a woodland garden[1].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
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[5].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas in the Kaski district of Nepal.
Habitat: Cool broad-leaved forests, 2300 - 2800 metres[3].
Edibility: Stems - cooked[3]. The shoots are very palatable, but there are restrictions on harvesting it in Nepal because the mature stems are required for use in weaving[3].
Usage: The older stems are harvested and then split for weaving into baskets and mats[3]. The plant has large culms with long internodes, which makes it one of the most sought after bamboos for weaving[3].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Matthews, Victoria. The New Plantsman Volume 1. Royal Horticultural Society, 1994.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Stapleton, Chris. Bamboos of Nepal. The Royal Botanic Gardens, 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society, 1979.