CHUSQUEA PITTIERI

15' height, Sun, 22 degrees F Minimum, Clumper.

        The largest of the chusqueas, collected in 1980 in Costa Rica at 10,000 feet by Richard Haubrich & Bill Teague.  The 2" maximum diameter culms grow up & then arch over & hang down.  Said to grow well in southern California, especially in winter when it produces its new shoots.  However, we grew a plant for 2 years in a 2x2 box which we loved & it got 10' high, but then for no known reason it DIED!

        A 15 gallon pot sold at the '86 ABS auction for $600. A 15 gallon pot sold at the '88 ABS auction for $550.  A few 2-5 gallon pots were sold at '91 ABS sales for $35-60. At the '92 SCABS sale a gallon pot was offered for $30, a 5 gallon pot for $50 & 11 collectors tried to buy them.  Kim Higbie bought a small one for $80 at the '94 ABS auction in San Francisco.  A 5" pot 2' tall sold for $35 at the '95 SCABS fall sale.

        In California the leaves drop off at about 35 degrees F.  It is growing well in shade at Gary Stinson's place in Menifee, California where it regularly gets down to freezing in the winter.