davidxanita@yah wrote in message k...


http://tinyurl.com/6am77

Overwatering... OK. The soil should be allowed to completely dry out
(bone dry) before watering?

I have been making sure this does not happen, and keeping the soil
damp, but not sitting in water, as this pot has good drainage and is
terrocotta (porus)...

Is there any where I can read up on optimum watering habits for this
Sp. of Bamboo... (BTW, can you ID it as well, please)

http://www.whyy.org/91FM/ybyg/images...a_japonica.jpg

Looks like "Arrow Bamboo" or Pseudosasa Japonica.

http://www.endangeredspecies.com/tex...ons/Ps/PSJ.htm

Endangered Species nursery lists it as:

"12' height, Shade/sun, 0 degrees F Minimum, Slow spreader.

Classic, dependable plant with no enemies. Usually forms solid
vertical mass of medium-size, dark green leaves which cover & enclose
plant from ground up to top. Holds culm leaf sheaths and therefore
creates less litter than phyllostachys or bambusas. Can make a thick
hedge with occasional pruning but no below-grade barrier. Has been
flowering since 1950 with no ill effect.

Pandas consumed 12-15 pounds of japonica per day at Busch Gardens,
Florida.

Native to Japan & Korea and used to manufacture arrow shafts.
Introduced into U.S. from Japan in 1850.

Mulched plants remain evergreen down to -10 degrees F. Heavily
mulched plants have underground rhizomes capable of surviving -25
degrees F. David Andrews reports plant evergreen down to 9 degrees &
dies to ground at -8 degrees F., but regrows in spring. Does well in
Southern Florida. Richard Sturgill planted one in Ketchikan, Alaska
in March, 1992."

When bamboo shoots, it gets stressed and leaves can yellow or brown.
This could also have been a result of being dry on a particularly
hot/dry day. Bamboo also cycles through it's leaves. The leaves on
the older culms will yellow/brown and then fall off, new ones should
replace them soon after. The newer growth on the bottom is very green
and looks good.

Rule of thumb, keep the soil from drying out. In a pot on a hot/dry
day you will find the drying out happens in a matter an hour or two.
If it is going to be hot or dry, I would set the pot in a saucer of
water, about an inch or two. It will then use it's own wicking to
bring the water up. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Keep it damp
and it should be fine.

Good luck!

Chris