I've done something similar with the same initial results. I did cut back
all but the last 2' or so of each plant. After about three weeks I got new
leaf growth and a few weeks later a couple of new shoots.

Also, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens did the same thing at their yearly plant
sale, keeping the dug-out bamboo rhizomes in a plastic bag and cutting back
the stalks. These plants stayed out of the ground for days before the
buyers replanted. Their advice -- don't let the plants dry out, but without
keeping the ground soggy. The above-ground stalks won't live, but the
following year you'll get new shoots and the clump will double in size each
year thereafter. The existing stalks -- dead above ground -- are
essentially markers so that you know where the bamboo was planted, until new
shoots occur.

All of the plants we got from KBG have done remarkably well, and after five
years we have groves of numerous types.

As long as you don't let the transplanted bamboo dry out, you should see new
leaf growth in a few weeks, and a few new shoots next year. In three years
you should have a fully established grove. Regards --

"ems" wrote in message
. ..
W just recently sold our house in Portland OR. Although everyone told
us we should remove the bamboo grove I have ben tending in the back
yard prior to putting the house on the market because it would scare
prospective buyers off, we did not, and it became one of the house's
hottest selling points. I put a clause in the contract that I could
claim a couple of samples from the bamboo grove for our new place and a
couple of weeks ago, we went over and dug some up. Due to some nice new
rhizomes in a slightly rasied area and some nice soft soil, we got a
nice stand of Phyllostachys aurea, about an inch thick and several
mature stalks of Phyllostachys dulcis about two inches thick, along
with sizable root balls. We also ended up taking two large and
seemingly vibrant root balls of the dulcis with no stalks.
Originally we planned on cutting the plants back to about eight feet
for transport, but at the last moment we decided to throw caution to
the winds and take the plants in their entirity. The trip lasted about
ten minutes and the plants were back in the ground within an hour.

Now comes the question. Everyday the leaves curl up like the plant is
going to die, and every night they open back up again. Ground is moist,
drainage is good. What are my chances that these plants will establish
and what can I do to help them along? Lastly will the extensive
rhizomes planted with no visible shoots have any chance of survival?

Advice is welcome.

Eliot