Common Name: Kei-Chiku

General Information

Phyllostachys makinoi is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 10 - 20 metres tall; the erect, woody culms are 70 - 90mm in diameter with thick-walled internodes 12 - 40cm long. The rhizomes are elongated, the plant having a running habit that can produce new canes some distance from the main clump, especially in warm climates. This tendency to run, however, is somewhat curtailed in cooler climates, where new shoot production can be rather reduced.
The culms are widely used in southeast China as a source of materials for building, paper making etc. The plant is gathered from the wild and also cultivated for this purpose. It is also grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southeast China (Fuijan), Taiwan.

Habitat

Open forest; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Phyllostachys makinoi is found at low to moderate elevations in the subtropical climate of southeast China. It is only hardy in the milder regions of the temperate zone where it tolerates short-lived temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[]. It dislikes prolonged exposure to hard frosts[].
Grows best in a sunny position, succeeding also in light to moderate shade. It requires a rich damp soil in a sheltered position.
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world[].
Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. This pattern can vary - sometimes flowering is sporadic, with plants flowering annually and not dying; at other times it is gregarious with all the plants in a specific species coming into flower at the same time.

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[]. They are usually boiled in at least one change of water. The shoots are 3 - 8cm in diameter[], they are harvested in the spring when they are about 8cm above the ground, cutting them about 5cm below soil level.

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This is a good companion species to grow in a woodland because the plants have shallow root systems that do not compete with deep tree roots[].

Other Uses

The culms are tough and compact,they are used for building, papermaking and in making furniture, umbrellas, containers and agriculture implements[]. The canes are a very important source of material for scaffolding and construction in Taiwan[].

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. Divisions from the open ground do not transplant well, so will need careful treatment and nurturing under cover in pots until at least late spring[]. Division is best carried out in wet weather and small divisions will establish better than large clumps[]. Another report says that you can take large divisions from established clumps and transfer them straight to their permanent positions, misting or drenching them frequently until they are established[].
Basal cane cuttings in spring.