Probable height in Southern California within 3 years = 20-30'

Probable ultimate height in Southern California = 45'

Height in habitat = 55'

Loses leaves around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Loses canes around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dies around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

If growing in the ground it prefers to grow in full sun.

A clumping bamboo - rhizomes will not run sideways.

Minimum soil depth required for a healthy plant = 1'

Rhizome depth in moist soil = 6"

Fibrous root system depth in moist soil = 24"

        4" maximum cane diameter with thick cane walls.  The most common & widely grown giant bamboo in the southwestern U.S.  Good landscaping plant, it forms a clump of canes which in August-September grow straight & vertical with relatively short branches & relatively long leaves.  Rather easily trimmed as a standard or as a very high, dense hedge.     

         Plant 3' on center for a tall hedge in a warm climate.

        In southern California this plant, if planted in spring & watered generously, will grow from a 5 gallon pot to 4-8' high the 1st year, 10-15' high the 2nd year, 25-35' high the 3rd year, 45' within 10 years.  Our specimens in Tustin were planted as 15 gallon pots in the fall of 1990 & were 40' high in 1993.  Jack Ingwerson's father planted oldhamii along the backside of his nursery on California street in Oceanside, California in 1929.  Then Jack planted it along the side of the property in 1983.  In 1999 both groups looked almost identical.  Jean Harrington in St Pete, Florida grew a small oldhamii to 35' tall in 3 years.  Paul Zillessen in Pensacola, Florida said his grows vigorously, but dies down to the ground if his temperature approaches freezing.

        Oldhamii was planted indoors in the new LA Convention Center in fall of 1993 with 75-100 foot-candles of lighting.  Haven't been seen since - probably failed rather quickly.  As the climate gets cooler the plant grows progressively shorter.  Ken Brennecke had 6 year-old plants in the mountains north of San Diego only 16' high.  Gib Cooper had plants growing for years north of San Francisco only 6-8' high.  Lily Ricardii in Mendecino, California had a 3 year-old plant only 3' high.  These plants eventually get taller, but in a cool climate it takes longer. 

         Cool dry climates are another matter.  A customer from Las Vegas has oldhamii growing 3-4" diameter canes 10-12' high every year but it always dies to the ground in winter!

        In California oldhamii is often used for screening because plants growing in full sun it is leafy to the ground.  But in Florida it seems to grow more open at the base.  The specimen we saw at the USDA plant introduction station in Miami was not leafy to the ground & quite open at the base.  And I've been told the mature grove at Selby Botanic Gardens in Sarasota, Florida are branch free for the bottom half of the plant.

        Not good for construction or crafts because the wood is soft & stringy, but several customers in Texas have told us they especially enjoy the flavor of young Oldhamii shoots.