Off thread and off topic: what is the weather like in

E******, TX?

The eye of the hurricane is 2 counties west of us here. About 10 inches of rain so far with winds only up to about 45 mph gusts so we lucked out here. It is predicted to come directly over us but it should be much weakened by then. A lot of damage down in Rockport and Port Aransas where I was fixing to go in a couple of weeks but my plans just changed. Thanks for asking.

kentuck, that made perfect sense :-) But then I am not exactly a newbie to bamboo!! Fargesia nitida went through a major gregarious bloom cycle here not too long ago......maybe 12-15 years now. Existing plants died off, as is usually the case with any fargesia that blooms, but there were seedlings that popped up at the base of the original planting. It is often suggested to let the plants be once they start flowering as a fresh crop of seedlings is often the result.

As an aside, I noticed my container of Pleioblastus fortunei 'Variegata' flowering earlier this season. I was sure it was going to die off and cut it back hard but so far, it just pushed out a lot of new growth and looks perfectly fine!! Apparently this one of the species of bamboo that do not die off completely after blooming.

Gardengal48, I noticed that with a few of my Bambusas, I did some cutting back each time they began to flower, and I saved them also. Stress can cause seeding/flowering and sometimes plants in pots get easily stressed.

My Arrow bamboo has been flowering continuously since I bought it almost 20 years ago. Each time I take a division of it, it also blooms and puts on some seeds, and all plants show no ill effects. I guess bamboos will act differently from the norm maybe due to stress or environments that they are growing in.

I think that is great that you had new plants from the seeds of the dying plant. Sometimes they come up with variations in them from their mother plant and then you have a new 'variety' which might be worth some money if it is a desirable plant.

Thanks everyone. I learned so much. BTW that was the answer I hoped for. The spot I'm considering for bamboo is currently occupied by Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern sea oats) which reminds me of bamboo, only shorter. But it reseeds like crazy and I'm getting past the age where that appeals. So I think a change is indicated and Fargesia sounds just right. Here in 7b, we plant shrubs and trees just about year 'round. But not herbaceous perennials. When will be the best time to plant the Fargesia?

It's not a herbaceous perennial so that should maybe guide your plans :-) Consider it more of a woody (shrub-like) ornamental grass. Although there is nothing in a herbaceous perennial's make up that would preclude it from being planted at any time either. Generally, as long as your soil is workable (not frozen; not sodden) you can plant at any time.

Of course, watering and survival are boosted by cooler weather down here (and rainfall). Did you plant a (or many) fargesia?

If your question was to me, dbarrron, I haven't planted anything yet this season. Cooler weather finally arrived just this week. But after lots of other choices crossing my mind, Fargesia remains on top of my list of possibilities.

Yes, it was to you...to see where you went with it.

Details of flowering behavior varies with species. Not all kinds flower heavily and die every time. And not all kinds have every individual of that kind blooming at the same time everywhere. Moso, for instance usually has some individuals in flower somewhere most of the time.