CJ - It may be that the rhizomes were dug too early in the season to have buds that are mature enough to produce a culm. Another month would have been much better, and 2 months would have greatly increased success rates. If it were me, I'd pot them up and see what happens. I make bare rhizome cuttings every year from rhizomes that are dug in Feb or early March and I have a high success rate. I make sure that the rhizome has several nodes of fine root mass, is of a creamy white color, and contains at least a half dozen buds. I generally start with a piece that is several feet long and cut it into sections according to the above. Then I bend them into a 'U' shape and put them on top of a couple inches of soil and then cover them with another 3 or 4 inches. Give them a good drink and wait. Careful on the water, I lose more to them being to wet than too dry. If you dont have anything in a few weeks, I toss it.

Some that I did last spring now have new rhizome coming out of the pots and are well on their way. You can put them directly in ground but I prefer the added control that comes with the pots.

Hoosier...After you section it off like you state above and bend into "U" shapes...do you place more than a single section in the pot? Is a longer section in the pot likely to have a better chance? In other words... if I had a 5 foot rhizome after cutting back to the fine roots, would that be too much in a 15-20 gallon planter or should I cut that into 2 seperate planters?
Thanks CJ

One piece per pot is fine. I think it comes down to what do you want to end up with? You can cut the 5 foot section probably into 3 pieces or more and have multiple pots to spread around/trade , or you can have 1 15 gallon pot.

Maybe the 1 larger piece will produce more than 1 culm and if so it might size up faster. The problem with the large pot is that it will tend to stay wetter and you'll really have to watch it closely.

I like the 1 huge plant idea. If I gravel the bottom for drainage will that help some? If the Rhizome is too long to make the "U" shape in the planter...is a hoola-hoop rather than the U ok? or should I cut it to fit? maybe 3 smaller ones spread around the deck works to... I dont know... what do you suggest? lol
Thanks again.
CJ

Well, they arrived 30 minutes after my last post. I soaked them for 10 minutes in my pond while I filled up 2 5 gallon planters with a gravel bottom for drainage, and a sandy mix of good dirt,peat, and compost mixture that my Baby Buddhas love. I placed them in a circular shape mid way down the planters and top filled, leaving about 2 inches. Topped off with double shredded hardwood and watered well and said a silent prayer over them :-D
With a little luck... yellow groove will be my latest addition.
Thanks again Chris!
CJ