![]() At first they grow slowly, but once they attain a height of 1 m or so, they rocket into growth, literally. New growth shoots break ground in spring once the average air temperature reaches 18-20 C, usually in mid to late April in southern Japan. The white roots too, are numerous and strong. These rhizomes are stolon-like, extending in all directions, thus making this a “running bamboo” species. On moister sites it is not uncommon to see them growing along the surface of the ground here and there. The culms originate from underground shoots that are born off a highly complex mat of segmented rhizomes that tend to grow fairly shallow in the substrate, typically not more than a half meter deep. Branching on the old culms becomes more intricate over time, hence more and more leaves are held by any given culm as they age, thus increasing their beauty and photosynthetic potential. The bright green, new leaves on the old culms grow quickly and are fully developed by June. In Japan they turn yellow all at once in May and are shed in time with new culm formation. The paper thin leaves are plentiful and last one growing season, each usually 4-10 cm in length and less than 2 cm in width. Culms fully mature within two seasons growth and can last up to 12 years. The uppermost nodes have one or more side branches that in turn bear the numerous elegant, small leaves. The culms are not tapered, but rather columnar in structure, only tapering near their apex. Like other bamboos, the nodes on the culm are very easy to see, forming a segmented stem that is hollow inside except at the node itself. Impressive stands of this giant bamboo are common place in the warmer parts of Japan. Moso growing along a mountain path in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Being a “giant” or “timber” bamboo, culm diameter can be impressive, up to 20 cm, but as little as 8 cm in weaker culms. Phyllostachys edulis is a large growing bamboo with stems (called culms) routinely attaining heights of 15 meters or more, indeed reports of culms approaching even 30 meters exist in its most favored habitats. Regardless of these facts, moso remains the most important timber bamboo in the world, and has a central role in Japan’s traditional culture, ranging from construction material to food. If that weren’t enough, being in truth a very large grass, moso cannot be considered a tree either, despite its arboreal size. Moso bamboo ( Phyllostachys edulis), another Japanese icon, shares their fate. The odd thing is that neither of these species is native to Japan, but rather are imports from China. Protect during the first few winters.Japan is home to many iconic plants, for example the Japanese plum tree ( Prunus mume), and the red spider lily ( Lycoris radiata). ![]() Transplant 4-6” sprouts to permanent spot 6” apart, when ground is warm. Keep the soil mix moist- once the germination process is started, seeds can die in a matter of hours if they dry out.ģ. Then, sow 1/4" deep into pots with moistened seed-starting mix, or peat pellets. Keep seeds saturated in the paper towel for 1 week. Remove outer husk and soak the inner seeds in wet paper towel with 1 part hydrogen peroxide/5 parts water in warm indirect sunlight.Ģ. Storage: Cool, clean, dry area keep seeds away from strong, direct sunlight.ġ. * It is useful on slopes for combating soil erosion and as a privacy screen. * Moso bamboo has become an important symbol of prosperity in Japanese culture. * Moso is a winter-hardy bamboo, and shoots are the most commonly eaten variety- it shoots early, and can be dug in the winter, when no others are available. * Grown in large plantations and harvested for a variety of products including timber, fencing, furniture, construction material, paper, plywood, flooring, musical instruments and fishing poles. * Average breaking tenacity is more than 3x that of cotton, wool, rayon or polyester. * This temperate genus of bamboo is most commonly used in the bamboo textile industry of China. * Makes a good background for large landscapes. * Mature plants have decorative foliage, with leaves hanging down like a waterfall. * Beautiful species of bamboo- having a light, feathery appearance from a distance.
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