Annual bamboo growth, zones 4 & 5 (esp. SE Wisconsin)

13 years ago

I am involved in urban agriculture efforts in Milwaukee (Zone 5b), and we are interested in growing a 'plot' of bamboo to be harvested seasonally and used for crafting vegetable-climbing apparati.

I understand that several species of bamboo will grow in our climate, although they experience winter die-back and emerge from rhizomes in the spring. Thus, annual bamboo growth is limited in northern climates when compared with similar specimens that are cultivated in warm regions.

I am interested if any readers have successfully grown tall bamboo (8'+ pole hight in one growing season) in Zone 5b or zone 4 that would yield bamboo materials at a scale to fit our proposed need.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

alan_l
13 years ago
Yes, your expectations are reasonable and I think it's possible, especially if you're able to provide some winter protection. If all canes die back to the ground every year, you won't get much size-up, or it will take many years for the plants to establish. If you can bend some culms over, stake them to the ground, then cover them with a tarp or plastic for the Winter, that will keep those culms from dying -- providing you started with a cold-hardy variety to begin with. Michigan Bamboo Company might be a good place to look first. You could also take a look at the BambooWeb forum, as there are several regular posters there who are growing in z5 (not sure about z4 though).
hank11
13 years ago
The biggest problem I see is that with winter die-back, your bamboo will not get a chance to mature enough to 'toughen up'. A cane that is less than a year old probably isn't strong enough to be used for pole production.
Related Professionals
White Oak Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Alexandria Landscape Contractors · Edmond Landscape Contractors · Overland Park Landscape Contractors · Plantation Landscape Contractors · San Pedro Landscape Contractors · South Lake Tahoe Landscape Contractors · Tigard Landscape Contractors · Welby Landscape Contractors · Eastlake Landscape Contractors · North Hollywood Carpenters · Roselle Carpenters · Temple Carpenters · Boardman General Contractors · Centereach General Contractors
hank11
13 years ago
The biggest problem I see is that with winter die-back, your bamboo will not get a chance to mature enough to 'toughen up'. A cane that is less than a year old probably isn't strong enough to be used for pole production.
rokwiz1
13 years ago
Hi

Since you're in Milwaukee, if you want to see some "boo" growing locally, I'm in Brookfield, and have several species. In fact, they're all shooting like mad right now.
You could even take a division if you like what you see.