Himalayacalamus falconeri
| Himalayacalamus falconeri | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Himalayacalamus falconeri
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. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. 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[1].
Basal cane cuttings.
Rhizome cuttings.
Cultivation: Prefers a humus rich friable sandy loam in a sunny position or in shade[1].
Intolerant of winter wet and of temperatures below about -6°c[1].
According to some authorities, the correct name for this species should be Himalayacalamus falconeri[2].
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[3].
Usually only about 3 metres tall in Britain, plants can reach 10 metres in height in favoured areas.
The rootstock is caespitose.
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat: Cool broad-leaved forests, 2000 - 2500 metres[2].
Edibility: Young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[2][4]. The young shoots are widely collected in Nepal and Bhutan, though this often conflicts with the other main use of the plant as a material for weaving[2][5].
Usage: The canes are thin walled, very light and pliable, they are used for basket making and other woven structures[6][4]. The plant is frequently harvested from the wild for this purpose[2].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Arundinaria falconeri. A. nobilis. Himalayacalamus falconeri. (Munro.)Keng.f. Thamnocalamus falconeri.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Stapleton, Chris. Bamboos of Nepal. The Royal Botanic Gardens, 1994.
- ↑ Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society, 1979.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Stapleton, Chris. Bamboos of Bhutan. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1994.
- ↑ Farrelly, David. The Book of Bamboo. Sierra Club, 1984.