Bambusa Oldhamii Clumping Bamboo – Edible Shoots – 1 Gal. Pot

*Our current stock is showing some chlorosis/iron deficiency on new growth. This condition will resolve immediately upon stepping up or planting out, but we feel it is important to be transparent on this matter since online customers cannot see the plant in person before ordering.

Bambusa oldhamii is one of the most common clumping bamboos in Central Florida, and for good reason. It grows almost perfectly upright, with none of the arching or leaning that can be so problematic in certain environments. The base of the clump remains very clean and easy to maintain without protruding side branches down at human height. With light management, the footprint of the clump can be kept very small and unobtrusive. Oldhamii may reach heights around 50-55 feet. The plants are quite cold tolerant, taking temperatures at or even below 25F. This is one of the primary species used in Orlando theme parks, contributing year round green beauty and an exotic tropical vibe for Northern visitors to enjoy.

Oldhamii is a multi-purpose, useful bamboo. It is sometimes called “Giant Timber Bamboo”, a name that doesn’t hold up too well to scrutiny. Compared to some of the large tropical Dendrocalamus, B. oldhamii really isn’t so giant at all. As for timber, it is not an especially viable commercial timber species. The culms are highly useful in garden settings but do not have the longevity of some of the elite tropical timber bamboo species. For many people, they will be perfectly suitable for building trellises and other primitive garden structures. The shoots of B. oldhamii are quite good to eat once boiled for 30-45 minutes. We were quite impressed with the flavor of our cooked shoots. It is reported that in some subtropical areas of Asia where it is too cold to grow Dendrocalamus asper or D. latiflorus (the preferred commercial shoot species), B. oldhamii is farmed on some scale for its edible shoots. The shoots are smaller but are a perfectly great food where the other species are not suitable. A clump can be permanently maintained with very few culms, with most of each years new shoots being harvested for food. Oldhamii makes a fairly open form at the base, not generally providing a complete visual screen.

Unlike the rest of our inventory, we do not propagate these plants ourselves. A local nursery produces the plants from tissue culture. This listing is for a one gallon potted plant. We recommend stepping the plant up into a three gallon pot and regularly fertilizing to gain some more size before planting into the ground.

Bambusa oldhamii