Yushania maling
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Yushania maling is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
Temperate forests and open grazing areas, 1600 - 3000 metres.
E. Asia - N.E. Himalayas.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The canes are used to in house construction and for matting. When growing vigorously, the canes can be used for weaving baskets or making fencing, more usually though the growth is smaller and is used for making brushes and straws.
Weaving: Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Prefers an open loam of fair quality and a position sheltered from cold drying winds. Succeeds on peaty soils. Requires abundant moisture and plenty of organic matter in the soil. Grows well in light woodland. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and is probably best grown under protection. A plant is growing well at Trebah gardens in Cornwall, where it was 5 metres tall with new canes 30mm in diameter in 195. The rhizome is running and can be invasive. It is fairly easy to control, however, because the new shoots are brittle and easily broken off of the plant. New shoots are produced from late May. 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.
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 the seedlings are large enough to plant out, which could take a few years. Seed is rarely available. Division in late spring. Best done as the new shoots first appear above ground. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more. Basal cane cuttings.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Bamboo
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
Arundinaria maling. Fargesia maling. Sinarundinaria maling