It's possible that it is still alive, and I would keep it watered just like any other bamboo. Give it a few months and see what happens. It may just be stressed from the transpanting, and it is slowly growing underground before putting on new growth above ground. I have had this happen on rare occasion.

However, sometimes they can keep their colour for long periods of time, if there is enough moisture in the soil, but time will tell.

Good Luck

Kt

When did you do the transplanting?? The reason I am asking is as follows. I usually end by dividing or transplanting bamboo in April (generally cool and misty, and rainy). I almost never have any problems at this time of the year. However, if I have to, I have also transplanted in non-peak times (i.e., mid-summer). At this time of year, I have noticed much more of a problem with leaf curling and even massive leaf drop. But given a few weeks, even a barren clump of bamboo will often refoliate after it gets acclimated. If you transplanted in late fall your plants may have entered into a dormant state and are just waiting for spring (like the rest of us). If you transplanted in spring or summer of last year and did not get any leaves grow back in the season, then there is a problem. If you still see some green, obviously that is a good sign. Your plants might just have suffered some dieback. Wait at least until May to decide.

Thanks for the feedback! I did the transplanting this time last year. This was followed by total leaf drop and loss of color of the top of the 2 culms. Then up to now no change.

Would either of you consider digging it up and checking the root system, perhaps at the end of this season?

Is the culm soft and squishy, or is it firm?

I did a transplant a little over a month ago,
and one of the shooting culms died. It had
color for a while, but then it browned and
went soft. I'm still watering the clump, though,
in the hopes that there's activity below. I
figured the one culm had to be sacrificed for
root expansion...

Josh

If you transplanted it a year ago and it went though a whole season without refoliating, I'm affraid it may be dead. If you want to be sure, leave it and see want happens when bamboo should be shooting (April and May dependin on where you live and the weather).

Does it feel solid planted still? When you give a little tug on the culm... does it feel firm or loose? I agree though...if its been a year... odds are not good that its alive.
But ya nevewr know... I had several planters look like a bomb hit them...I just kept them moist and they returned.