In article , tom
wrote:

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 23:16:54 GMT, "Phil L"
wrote:
Phil, tht just shows what a thickie i am. I didnt know they grew from
seeds. What a great idea. Thanks very much.


Why don't you buy some seeds and grow them yourself for next year?...you
could always sell what you don't need and make some easy cash....there's a
shop on ebay (based in Leeds actually) which sells the seeds in packs of 12,
see he
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Allround-Solutions


They don't "normally" grow from seed. That is, flowering cycles
in bamboos are decades long and unpredictable and, in general, no seed
is available for most popular species. Propagation is usually by
rhizome cuttings or division of clumps. By either method, it takes a
while to build up large numbers of substantial sized plants. The result
is that they cost money. Even when seed is available it takes some years
before a plant is of saleable size.
You want "black bamboo" - its "Phyllostachys nigra". Its popular enough
to show up in many nurseries - so just look out for the best price.
There's a list of specialist nurseries at
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/users/djh/ebs/ebsgbn.htm
and a lot more information at
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/users/djh/ebs/ebsgb.htm
A bamboo nursery that is in Yorkshire, but not in the list, is Moor Monkton
to the north of York. Details in the RHS Plant Finder.

John McMillan