Semiarundinaria murielae
| Semiarundinaria murielae | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 13' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Semiarundinaria murielae (common name: umbrella bamboo)
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. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out, which could be 2 - 3 years. The plants only flower at intervals of many years and so seed is rarely available.
Division as the plants come into growth in spring. 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 damp humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade[1]. Prefers light shade[2]. Dislikes drought[3]. A slow growing plant, it prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds.
A very cold-hardy bamboo, tolerating temperatures down to about -22°c.
According to some authorities this species is no more than a form of Thamnocalamus spathaceus[1].
Most leaves are produced at the tops of the stems[1].
The plant has a running rootstock but does not spread far in the cooler climate of Britain and never becomes invasive. Produces its new shoots from late April[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[4].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Found at altitudes up to 3000 metres in W. Hupeh.
Usage: Tolerant of wind, so long as this is not too cold, the plant makes a good dense shelter hedge[5]. It blankets noise very well. It needs to be planted fairly densely because it does not spread very quickly, 60 - 75cm is a good distance.
The canes can be used as plant supports[2].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Arundinaria murielae.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lawson, Alexander. Bamboos. Faber, 1968.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society, 1979.
- ↑ Grounds, Roger. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm, 1989.