"Pam Moore" wrote in message
...

I have a bamboo, bought about 20 years ago at Wisley, labelled
"phylostachys nigra" but certainly NOT nigra! It is a tidy,
clump-forming plant and has been split once about 6 years ago, since
when it has multiplied well.
Now it looks very sad. For a couple of months I have watched it from
the house, turning brown, but I have not ventured close to look at it.
I thought maybe it had suffered in last summer's drought and I had not
realised it, being partially sighted.
Today I made a point of looking closely at it. All leaves on all
stems (20 or so) are showing very little green, but there are a lot of
dark brown BUDS which I take to be flower buds. I have heard that
bamboo sometimes dies after flowering.
Has anyone any idea what may happen next and what I should do?



Pam in Bristol

Even the boo experts are not agreed on the correct way of revitalising the
plants. If you can put up with the rather unattractive mess for a few years
then you may get something worth keeping. Keep a look out for seedlings
growing around the base of the plant and pot them up as a reminder of a once
fine plant. If you are lucky you may end up with something a bit special.
If you still have the original receipt take it back for a refund:-)