Bambusa oldhamii

Bambusa oldhamii, known as giant timber bamboo or Oldham's bamboo, is a large species of bamboo. It is the most common and widely grown bamboo in the United States and has been introduced into cultivation around the world. It is densely foliated, growing up to 20 metres (65 feet) tall in good conditions, and can have a diameter of up to 10 centimetres (4 inches).

Description

A bamboo. It grows 18 m high. The culms are straight and upright. They grow in open clumps. The clumps can be 6-12 m across. The culms are 6-15 cm across. They are bright green with a white bloom. They turn yellow with age. The shoots are edible.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots can be eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

A tropical and subtropical plant. It is a cooler climate bamboo. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. It will tolerate temperatures down to -7°C. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Townsville Queens BG.

Where It Grows

Australia, China*, Japan, South America, Taiwan, USA,

Cultivation

Requires a humus rich soil in full sun or dappled shade in warm humid conditions. 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. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. 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.

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.

Other Uses

Biomass Fodder Paper Straw Wood The cane walls are thick but rather soft. The canes are used as a source of pulp. Special Uses Carbon Farming Food Forest

Other Information

It is commonly cultivated for its high quality shoots.

Notes

There are about 120 Bambusa species. They are tropical and subtropical in Asia.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Lu zhu, Lu-chu, Ryoku-chiku

References (15)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 53
• Chew, M. & Morgan, W., 1999, Access to Asian Foods Newsletter Issue 5
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 217
• Dransfield, S. & Widjaja, EA., 1995, Plant Resources of South East Asia. PROSEA No. 7 Bamboos. Leiden. p 21
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 114

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