A friend has asked for a bamboo recommendation. She wants a variety that could live in a large permanent container on her balcony. I am thinking of recommending Alpohonse Karr but are there other cultivars tha might be better.
Bamboo ideas needed
Bambusa multiplex 'Alphonse-Karr' can get quite large, and may eventually outgrow the pot.
Other smaller forms of Bambusa mulitiplex may be more appropriate, such as:
'Rivieriorum', Chinese Goddess Bamboo is a dwarf that is perfect for container growing, not getting much taller than 12 ft.
'Fernleaf' and 'Golden Goddess' are also well suited for containers.
As the bamboo will be grown in a container, clumping bamboo won't be necessary, and running bamboos can be very effective in containers such as Phyllostachys nigra 'Nigra', Black Bamboo.
Ah Ha, Dave to the rescue. I never even thought of using a runner but this balcony is on an upper floor and P. nigra would be great there - no way it could get away. I'll pass on the info. Thanks - again.
Another good one to pass on. Thanks Hetty
The Buddha's Belly Bamboo is a good choice as the restricting container causes the internodes to swell more, giving it the desired look.
Good to know.
There's two Buddha's Belly Bamboos I know of. The ventricosa doesn't develop the "belly" effect when grown in good conditions and normally gets very tall. But apparently it's very cold tolerant, and when bonsaied, kept fairly dry and low on nutrients it will stay small and "Buddha bellied".
The variety of vulgaris has that "belly" effect all the time and remains a shortish, stocky plant. In my view it looks the most spectacular.
This is a photo of the vulgaris "Buddha's Belly".
How cool is that!
Took that photo in the botanic gardens Cairns, Queensland. Made me determined to get one. Finally "acquired" a piece closer to home that was growing outside a masonry fence. The cutting has taken but is still small. However, I've got it in the ground.
The common Buddha's Belly Bamboo is Bambusa ventricosa. It's internodes swell when the roots / rhizomes are restricted, such as in a container.
It is hardy down to 17 degrees F.
The Buddha's Belly Bamboo that Tropicbreeze suggested is Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin', and will produce swollen internodes without being restricted in a container.
It is hardy down to 32 degrees F.
To live in a container in South Carolina, Bambusa ventricosa will be a sturdier plant than the more tropical Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin'.
Bambusa multiplex is just as cold hardy as B. ventricosa.
Phyllostachys nigra 'Nigra', Black Bamboo is hardy down to Zero degrees F.
I live in zone 9a but the friend who asked about the bamboo lives in the midlands which would be 8a/b so she will go with one of the hardier ones.