Dendrocalamus brandesii - (Munro) Kurz

(Munro) Kurz

Velvet Leaf Bamboo, Clumping Bamboo

No photos yet for Dendrocalamus brandesii - (Munro) Kurz

Description

Dendrocalamus brandesii is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 25 m (82ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

The young shoots are used as a vegetable.

Distribution

E. Asia - southern China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Andamans.

Where It Grows

TROPICAL ASIA: India: north-eastern (Manipur), and Andaman Islands; Burma: from the Kachin hills to Tavoy (Tenasserim); Thailand: northern part; Laos; Vietnam: Tonkin; China: Yunnan,

Cultivation

The plant is frequently found on limestone, but it also grows well on well-drained loamy soils. 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. The young shoots of this species emerge above the soil during the rainy season and develop to their full height in 4 - 6 months. After that the lateral branches start to develop. A culm becomes mature in 3 - 4 years. 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. Very often, all the specimens of one species in a given area will all come into flowering at the same time. This species flowers sporadically as well as gregariously. Its life cycle is not known; in India an interval of 45 - 50 years between two gregarious flowerings has been reported. Climate: subtropical to tropical. Humidity: humid. Carbon Farming - Cultivation: minor global crop. Management: managed multistem.

Propagation

Seed - many, if not all, members of this genus have a short viability and should be sown within 2 - 3 months of harvest. Sow in containers in a lightly shaded position and only just cover. Germination usually takes place readily. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Plant out into permanent positions when 20cm tall. Plants may remain in their low-growing juvenile state for several years - cutting the culms to the ground level can stimulate taller adult growth. Rhizome, culm and branch cuttings. The propagules are raised in the nursery and after they have produced roots they are planted out in the field before or during the first half of the rainy season.

Other Uses

Biomass Furniture Wood. The culms are used for building purposes, furniture, farm implements, baskets and other woven wares and handicrafts. This is one of the strongest and largest bamboos for construction purposes. Harvesting may start 3 - 4 years after a clump has begun to produce culms of maximum size. Only culms older than 3 years are harvestable and harvesting should never be done during the growing season. It is recommended to cut the culms lower than 30cm above the ground level, but not below the 2nd node. Debris and cut branches should always be removed completely. Carbon Farming - Industrial Crop: biomass. Other Systems: strip intercrop, multistrata.