Bamboo like water. I doubt you will have long term success in your Zone if you are depending only on rain and are not prepared to give the plant what it needs.

Hellow every one I live in NY about 45 minutes north of NYC. I am new to bamboo but have always loved and admired them. I was looking to start my own grove this year (A.S.A.P) lol. I wanted to know the fastest spreading fastest growing bamboo that is 2" thick or over. I also want them to be clean looking like the giant P. Vivax looks, I am also interested in the yellow grove. Well I guess I want to have my cake and eat it too so to speak. You can E-mail me or just post it here seanrforrest@netscape.net Thank you for your responses in advance.