Kou-Chiku
Phyllostachys sulphurea viridis

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Phyllostachys sulphurea viridis is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 4 m (13ft 1in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

Not known

E. Asia - E. China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Young shoots - raw or cooked. Virtually free of acridity even when raw, they can be thinly sliced and eaten raw in salads but are usually boiled first. The shoots are harvested in the spring when they are about 8cm above the ground, cutting them about 5cm below soil level.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

The canes are used in construction. They are said to have excellent technological properties.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Requires a rich damp soil in a sheltered position and plenty of moisture in the growing season. Tolerates dry conditions. This is generally a very hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c, but persistent cold springs make the plant lazy in sending up new canes. It dislikes prolonged exposure to hard frosts. In warm parts of Britain this plant can reach 6 metres or more in height. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die. This is a good companion species to grow in a woodland because the plants are shallow rooted and do not compete with deep rooted trees. A running rootstock, the plant does not produce enough new shoots to be invasive but it still wanders about a bit. New shoots appear in late May. Although classed as a sub-species, this is in fact the true wild form of the species (the cultivated variegated form was the first to be named and is thus treated as the species type!). It does not reach a good size in cooler climes.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Division in spring as new growth commences. Divisions from the open ground do not transplant well, so will need careful treatment and nurturing under cover in pots until at least late spring. Division is best carried out in wet weather and small divisions will establish better than large clumps. Another report says that you can take large divisions from established clumps and transfer them straight to their permanent positions, misting or drenching them frequently until they are established. Basal cane cuttings in spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Bamboo

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. viridis. (R.A.Young.)McClure.