It sounds like it may be recovering from a combination of things. Did you disturb the rootballs very much when you repotted? In my own experience, Bory tends to get browning of the the leaves easily, although yours is more extreme than that. Also, how are you determining your moisture levels? I've found that the finger-in-the-soil method is not reliable and use a $5 moisture meter to figure out what's really going on down by the rhizomes...

Hi Kudzu 9,

I think that you may be right when you say 'recovering from a combination of things'.The nursery owner who sold me these was in the process of selling his business. I am now wondering if his stock was being looked after properly as after comparison with plants I have recently purchased elsewhere it would seem that his were sub standard. There were quite a few small dead culms and others that were dead in the upper levels.
I disturbed the rootballs as little as possible. Where roots had grown out through the bottom of the pots I enlarged the drainage hole to allow roots to become free.
I have been using a moisture meter to take readings. I mentioned earlier that these plants were re potted and I wonder if I am making a proper assessment of the moisture levels. If I probe down vertically round the outer edges I am testing the new media. It is much harder to probe the original rootball and I wonder if I am damaging it when I force the probe home. What represents a true picture?
How much drying out should I allow between waterings ? My normal watering is a complete soaking.
I had intended planting these in 2/3 wks time in a position that would give some exposure but am now tending towards keeping them containerised and placing them in a more sheltered spot and plant them next Spring. Winter is relatively mild and I am not concerned regarding low temps as if they are forecast I can take these plants indoors for a short spell. Better in the gound or in the pot ?

I think they're always better in the ground than in a pot, but disturbing it again to plant now might be too hard on it. We're in the same Zone, and I've had many a bamboo sit in a pot all winter. They are a little more vulnerable though, so put a pile of mulch up around the pot to better prevent wind chill. The reason that it's hard to get the probe in is because of the dense structure of fine roots, but I've never noticed any ill effects from forcing my meter in a couple of inches near the culms. Just try another place if you encounter too much resistance. You may have a situation where the new soil drains well, but the old soil absorbs less. When you water, try soaking it a second time about 10 minutes after your initial soaking.
I've bought abused bamboo myself and have been surprised at how fast it can bounce back after proper care. I think you'll be all right. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi Kudzu9,

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep my fingers crossed that these bounce back in time.Will let you know when they are finally in terra firma.