All the sources I know, including the ABS Species tables, say full sun for Ph. vivax. As long as you give it plenty of water it will be fine.

Thanks, That is what I've been reading. Just one person (has lots of bamboo) that has been saying different. I'll find out in about 5 months as it will be smokin hot by then. Got a Vivax and vivax aureocaulis in full sun. Moso is the only one I know that won't take the sun around here. The leaves will even curl in the winter sun to protect themselves from full sun. I'll see what happens once it's in the ground.(very dry days 10-20% humidity)

new2bamboo-
They'll definitely be able to handle much more in the ground. I've got mine in full sun in Zone 8, but it's the Seattle area, so it doesn't get as toasty in the summer. Good luck.

I've got a Vivax in the ground here in SA 95F+ every day for 5 months/year. In our severe drought June 05 to last autumn, I watered it when the leaves curled, but it does very well in TX full sun.

new2bamboo,

I have vivax growing to two spots here about a mile from Long Island Sound on the southeast Connecticut coast. Full sun is the way to go here in CT. My plants in part shade, shoot later, and are smaller, but more lush. The sun grown are far taller, shoot early (May) but the leaves look a little scruffy by late August.

The Tri-State area (NY/NJ/CT) is not as hot (I think) as the Sacramento valley. Our summer days are mostly in the upper 80's. Also, As you must know - the East Coast has that high humidity. So my bamboo even in the sun can still get a little moisture.

Where you are the high temps and low humidity, partial sahde might be your best bet. Remember, Vivax is a plant of subtropical humid southeast Asia-these plants like to be wet and hot.

Good luck.