SASA KURILENSIS

3' height, Shade/sun, 0 degrees F Minimum.

 

        Very hardy runner, one of the most common & widely distributed small bamboos in Japan.  Grows naturally above 1500' on the island of Hokkaido where it receives heavy snowfall every year and is perhaps the most northern bamboo habitat.  It has not done well for us and does not survive for any length of time in Southern Florida.  The book "Large & Small Bambo" says it is "the best Bamboo for eating, so popular in Japan that harvesting licenses have to be issued."  It goes on to describe the yearly festival of searching & digging out culms which seems a bit like salmon fishing or deer hunting in the U.S.

        Several 5 gallon pots were sold at fall '91 &

'92 SCABS sales for $20-25 each.

 

SASA KURILENSIS CHYABOMANIBA

        Imported by ABS in 1991.

 

SASA KURILENSIS SHIMOFURI

        Attractive if you can get it past childhood. That isn't to say it's hard to grow, it's just that for most people in Southern California it just doesn't grow at all.  The plants we had at one time did best in large shaded but not too shaded pots, moist, not wet, which we ignored for several years. The mature leaves are combed with numerous fine white lines which give it a unique subtle, elegant appearance.  Richard Haubrich grew the most beautiful specimen we have seen when he lived in Southern California.

        A 3 gallon pot sold at the 1986 ABS auction for $140.  A 4 gallon pot sold at the 1988 NCCABS auction for $35.  A 3 gallon pot sold at the 1988 ABS auction for $90.  A very small 1 gallon pot sold at the 1994 SCABS auction for $15.  A plant sold for $120 at the 10/95 ABS auction in Savannah.