‘Oldham’s Bamboo’
Bambusa Oldhamii, Oldhams Bamboo or Giant Timber Bamboo. is a very large growing tropical bamboo. Culms will reach around 10cm in diameter, and this is a relatively cold tolerant variety.
A widely used large growing species, Bambusa oldhamii is very popular as a screening plant. This is a clumping bamboo variety, originally from China and Taiwan where Bambusa oldhamii is used for both timber and food production in some areas.
How TO GROW Bambusa Oldhamii – Oldhams Bamboo Basic Care
This is a large growing plant and as such it does need room to grow as the root ball becomes large as the plant reaches maturity.
With a fast growth rate reaching its full potential height and culm diameter in around 5 years with full sized timber being ready to harvest at around 7 years. The extual growth rate will be determined by the climate and the amount of water. Warmer climates with good soil moisture will produce a faster growing plant.
This is a non invasive or clumping type of bamboo, however use of a root barrier is recommend with all bamboos.
Used widely in commercail plantings as a sceening plant it can grow tall enough to screen two stories.
Available from Nurseries as bare rooted plants as well as some larger potted or container grown specimens for immediate impact
Bambusa oldhamii will reach 15m – 20m, sometimes referred to a ‘giant timber bamboo’ as it is used in building. Not only a tall growing bamboo but also with with large culms (the canes) to 4″ 10 – 12 cm poles make a statement, also known as giant timber bamboo it is excellent as a tall screen.
This is a fairly hardy bamboo and is regarded as drought tolerant, however growth rate will be faster with extra water usually up to 3 – 5 metres a year after the first year or two. Once established bambusa oldhamii is cold tolerant, new plants are not so hardy.
A tight clumping bamboo that is very useful as a dense screening plant, also well suited for use as a windbreak or a feature plant in a tropical or balinese themed garden. Some gardeners also harvest the young edible bamboo shoots.
Fast growing, and one of the most popular of all of the bamboos, Bambusa oldhamii is useful as a screening plant or windbreak. Hardy and tolerant of cooler temperatures. For best growth provide adequate water and fertilizer.
Not only used as a screening plant, Bambusa oldhamii is also valuable in landslip areas as an erosion control and stabilising plant.
Bambusa Oldhamii – Summary Information
- Height – To 20 metres depending on climate and soil.
- Spread – This is a clumping bamboo. Spreads to around 2 – 3 metres in 10 – 15 years.
- Growth rate – Fast.
- Maintenance – Prune away older growth once a year.
Bambusa oldhamii is available from the following participating suppliers
50 Meadowbrook Way Riddells Creek
Specialising in non-invasive & running bamboo
With over 50 varieties of bamboo planted on our property your sure to pick the right bamboo to suit your needs
www.bamboo-plants.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
1360 Bolong Road Coolangatta NSW 2535
A range of Balinese style water features for Sydney the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. Clumping bamboo privacy screens.
www.bamboosouthcoast.com.au
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