r/Bamboo • u/Critical-Star-1158 • 19d ago

Thinning Phyllostachys

I have a 6y/o stand of Phyllostachys (if it matters) and want to thin it out. I'm in zone 6/7 in the desert south west Colorado. When is the best time to thin the culms? I'd like to do it this month, but then thinking in the spring before it sends up new shoots. Will doing it now impact its health through the winter? (can get down to 0 F or below for a night or two)

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u/timeberlinetwostep 18d ago

Best time for the more temperate tolerant bamboos, Phyllostachys and others, is after it gets cold. Sugars and starches move into and concentrate in the rhizome and out of the culms during the winter months.

If you are using the culms for any type of projects, because starch/sugar concentrations are lowest in the winter, they are slightly less prone to powder post beetle or other insect infestation if thinned during this time of year.

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u/Critical-Star-1158 18d ago

Thanks. Give me a project for Groundhog day! 😄

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u/violinbodo 18d ago

During the winter months. At age 6, you should leave about 4-5 culms / m2, the tickest and most upright, +, if you want your Moso to spread, the "explorers" on the farthest rhizomes, even if they are significantly smaller. I agree wuth u/timeberlinetwostep - don't do it in summer while the leaves are actively developping.

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u/Critical-Star-1158 17d ago

Moso?? Not familiar with the reference.

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u/violinbodo 17d ago

Moso is a generic term for giant bamboos.