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Common Name: Thorny Bamboo

General Information

Chimonobambusa pachystachys is a Evergreen Bamboo up to 5.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - W. China, W. Sichuan and Yunnan.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a good loamy soil. Succeeds in most soils so long as they do not dry out. Dislikes drought. Prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds.
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die[].

Edible Uses

Stem - cooked. An excellent vegetable. Up to 10cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available.
Division in spring as new growth commences. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more[].
Basal cane cuttings.