bobcat-
The reason you're having trouble is that bamboo hardly ever flower, and that's the only time they set seed. There is no "Burpee Store" for bamboo seed. You just have to be happy with the couple that happen to be available at any given time. You can get seed on eBay. However, keep in mind that it's against Federal regulations to import bamboo seeds into the U.S. without a special permit, so I would encourage you to limit yourself to U.S. sellers.

As for sun-loving fargesia, All the ones I'm familiar with like at least partial shade, and curl their leaves up in full sun, even if they're healthy.

Thanks Kudzu. Yeah, that seems to be what I am getting, too, about the seeds. One would think more than one variety were out there, though. If not, I will just happily deal with my murialae! I agree on the sun lovers- never seen or heard of one, but then I don't know that much yet so I thought I'd ask.

I am very much interested in collecting all of the fargesia (their like Pokemon! Gotta collect them all! -- sorry, I've heard or been forced to watch too many kids shows :) ) I don't have much to offer this year. I can do small sections of Fargesia rufa for small sections of Fargesia sp. Thanks in advance to anyone interested.

If anyone else has any seed info it would still be much appreciated.

Thanks again Kudzu!

Bamboo sourcelist tables on American Bamboo Society web site gives light level rating for each, take a look at that. Fargesia robusta has rapidly made an impressive clump for me (in Zone 8), I think that is said to be more sun tolerant than usual.

There is a difference between zone 8 full sun and zone 5 full sun. Many plants which can't take the former thrive on the latter - I can't say that fargesia is one of them but it may be worth the try.

I may have some fargesis nitida seeds if you're interested. I just noticed this spring that mine was producing seeds. I don't know how long I have to wait to harvest them but I'm hoping to get some good seed from this clump. Several shoots seem to be full of seeds.