On Fri, 27 Jun 2003 18:30:18 +0100, Mike Gilmore wrote:

I have some 3 year old phyllostachys cultivars in good sized clumps of
several yards across and spreading beautifully. Branches come down to the
floor and I would like to clear some culms of their lower branches to show
off their distinctive markings.
Can anyone tell me if there is a period when not to do such 'stripping'?
Is there a simple twisting technique as in removing an apple for example?
Any additional comments on my proposal?

Regards,
Mike Gilmore
www.winsfordwalledgarden.freeserve.co.uk
The neatest method I know and it is fast once you get the hang of it
is get your self a pair of shear style secarters. with one hand gather
and hold the branches together above the node, with the secarters in
the other hand slice cross ways into the bulge where the branches join
the node. Then snap the branches down ward, they should snap off
cleanly and flush with the stem.
The idea is to hold the secarters with the blades parallel with the
stem so you are using the bottom blade as a lever, cutting only with
the top blade.
If you cut when the stems are still soft it will be easier but using
the method above, you will find it easy and fast to do.
I stood under a 60+ year old stand of Bambusa balcooa
yesterday....truly awesome. Some of the stems must have been around 8¨
in diameter.
WX