"Wayne" wrote in message ...

it fooled me

Look at the ads on this page :-) It is meant to fool. The really
foolish thing is that it is a 10 cent weed that is sold for $20 and up
:-)

are there any good, easy to care for, real bamboo plants that
can be grown indoors?

Bamboo is all easy care, when it is in the ground. Most bamboo's will
survive in pots, but will not thrive and most like full sun.

Here are a couple that prefer not so much sun, so might do well in a
pot and also very pretty.

FARGESIA NITIDA- (According to Endangered Species Nursery
www.endangeredspecies.com) Prefers a cool, moist climate with no
intense sun. Gets 12' high in a cool climate with shade but only 3'
high in a hot climate. 1/2" maximum culm diameter. In a hot climate
it must not have any direct sun on its foliage except in early morning
or very late afternoon. In fact, the best growing location in a hot
climate is on the north side of a building, lighted by the open sky
but NEVER ANY direct sun. Or, in a 90% shade house.

PHYLLOSTACHYS AUREA (Golden Bamboo)- Runner, but will do ok in the
pot. This is one of the most durable Bamboo's, don't plant it in the
ground unless you plan to control it.. probably every horror story
ever spread about bamboo is Golden Bamboo. In your setting it would
stay green, it only yellows in intense sunlight.

PHYLLOSTACHYS NIGRA (Black Bamboo)- Looks great grown in mostly
shade, doesn't look as good but thrives in full sun. Puts up green
shoots and over the course of about 9 months they turn jet black.
Will do ok in a pot.

BAMBUSA MULTIPLEX ALPHONSE KARR- Prefers to be in the ground with
almost full sun, but will survive in a pot indoors. If you have it in
a spot with a lot of sun it will probably do a little better.

These are some of the smaller bamboos. All of them can be pruned to
fit in your home, and all are very pleasing to the eye and with the
exception of the Fargesia, easy to come by. I have experience growing
all of these except the Fargesia, I just included it because it is an
unusually attractive plant and it's ideal conditions are easily
duplicated indoors.

I'm sure others will chip in their 2 cents as well! Hope it helps.

Chris
Chino,CA