All I can tell you is that, if you are growing from seed, it will get to maybe 5' tall in 3 years, and maybe 30' in 10 years. Popular names, like Giant Black Java, are not always reliable indicators of true species. However, I am going to assume that it's something like Gigantochlea atroviolacea; this is a SE Asian bamboo, which does not always grow true from seed, and will never get as huge as you expect in the U.S. Depending on where you live in Zone 9, it could do well, or it may have a hard time surviving winter or in arid areas. Good luck...just temper your expectations.

P.S.: The seeds are probably not a scam, but if you purchased them from a seller outside the U.S, I should also mention for the future that such import is a violation of Federal regulations.

This post was edited by kudzu9 on Sun, Feb 1, 15 at 20:28