bstruss-
Bamboo are not like shrubs or trees: once you prune a bamboo it does not regrow. You will only get additional growth when the bamboo sends up new culms.

In addition, how sure are you that this is bamboo, and, in particular, clumping bamboo? There are a number of plants that people often mistake for bamboo, but are not. It seems a little strange that someone would top bamboo just prior to trying to sell it.

Yes kudzo, I am quite sure that it is bamboo, and is some sort of green variety. They apparently were dug and transplanted into big tubs several months ago, and they guy mentioned right off that they were clumping and not running variety. Two of them haven't been trimmed and are around 7' tall, but the rest were trimmed (for what reason, I don't know). I think I got a good deal in paying $40 for six of them, but will have to wait for the trimmed ones to send up new culms (of which a few are starting near the root area). Interesting, I do see what appears to be a few side shoots growing upwards near some of the cut canes. Also, what else but bamboo could look just like bamboo?
Thanks--

Could you post a picture of your bamboo?

Kt

bstuss-
There are a number of plants and grasses, some of which have "bamboo" in their common names, that are sometimes taken to be true bamboo to the untrained eye. This includes some of the Dracaenas, Muhly bamboo grass, Arundo donax, Japanese knotweed, etc. Below is a link to one example.

If you got clumping bamboo for that price, you got a real deal. But I am still wondering if that really is what you got. I don't mean to come off as sour grapes, but we could confirm what you have if you could post a picture. I am also not sure about the behavior you are describing as side shoots...that doesn't sound like bamboo behavior.

Here is a link that might be useful: Muhly