Tropical looking = big leaves?

big leaves - not necessarily. I think most bamboo looks tropical. Probably a bad choice of words from me. just something that looks nice and grows in a short period of time. THANKS.

There are many bamboo farms that sell on the web. bamboo platation for one, or lewis bamboo. Go to one of there sights and do some research on something you might like lot's of picture's and info there. http://www.bambooplantation.com is one place I've bought some nice boo. Look at the Nigra, the culms turn black. Vivax grows tall and fast. But you might want to get a tropical clumping boo if you plan on bringing it indoors for winters. Google bamboo and look at the nurcery's and all the info.

One problem is the moving back and forth, form full sun outside to dim, dry interior. That might not go so well, bamboos don't like to be inside and once you manage to get one to settle in (if you manage to get one to settle in) you will undo this accomplishment putting it back out. In fact, this is kind of true for house plants in general.

If you could use a subzero hardy plant of another kind, such as a hardy conifer that could stay out in the tub all the time that would probably be much better. Fountain bamboo, umbrella bamboo and maybe a few other Fargesia spp. available from bamboo specialists are subzero hardy but detest hot sun.

guess I should have explained better. In winter, the tub would be moved into a garage with big windows. probably reaches a low of about 40F in the garage, will probably get about 4 hours of sun each day. Now what?

I have a large Phyllostachys aureum that I keep outside in a container. In bad winters it may suffer some but it resprouts in the spring. In zone 6 and colder, containerized bamboos should be protected and the treatment you describe should be fine for a large variety of bamboos. For smaller leaves, you can go with aureum or nigra. I have a nidaria that has the advantage of being more vertical growing (less cascading). If you want something more cascading, go with the nigra. If you want big leaves, you might go with Sasa palmata. I is very shade tolerant, has good cold tolerance, and is very tropical looking. Since you are going to protect the bamboos in winter, you might even try something more exotic, like Bambusa multiplex.

njoasis - thanks for your recommendations. I will research the names of the boo you have provided and I will go with one of them. I'll post a picture or two next summer of my handiwork. Happy New Year to all.

Spellcheck:

Phyllostachys aurea
P. nidularia

Web site of American Bamboo Society has a Species Source List, revised annually that has basic characteristics of all bamboos known by compiler(s) to be commercially available, and who is offering them.

oppalm-
If you want to see both physical characteristics lists and multiple photos, go to www.bambooweb.info

nice call. I will head there this weekend.