GIANT Golden Bamboo - Growing Phyllostachys vivax 'Aureocaulis' in UK Gardens

[@ollysalanson9452]

This was a really helpful and well-shot video. Thanks a lot mate!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Olly, that’s really kind of you to say so - happy to hear it’s helped and all the best!

[@staffordshireShane]

Love that description bold ,yellow ,fast ,thirsty and could end up going through a hedge 🤣🤣🤣 brilliant 👏 🤣 👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks Shane, I thought it seemed an appropriate comparison 😂

[@staffordshireShane]

It's why I watch you ,informative yet delivered with personality and a sense of humour. I'm still laughing at that one .🤣

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@staffordshireShane Haha cheers Shane, I did pretty much wing this video as it was still a bit too windy to do my planned one so I’m pleased it was entertaining!

[@rofl970]

@@GeorgesJungleGardendo you also have to water when he’s mature?

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Love the ford analogy for the bamboos 🤣🤣. Classy. Beautiful yellow colour on that vivax 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’m still only an analogy amateur compared to your efforts but yes, it had to be done! It is such a vivid colour for sure!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden 🤣🤣👍

[@stanleygladstone1210]

Hi George, two summers ago I bought yellow groove and crooked stem in 12ltr pots. At the time I didn't realise they were runners. I checked out the price of bamboo barrier but it was going to cost much more than I paid for the plants, and I bought six pots. I've put them into builders buckets 50cm width. I keep the tops of the bucket above ground. I know they won't hold the roots for ever but before they reach bursting point I will lift the buckets out the ground and divide the bamboo. Maybe sell some on and put the money towards some barrier. This summer coming up will be their third in the ground so I'm expecting to see more shoots coming up. Great vid. Keep them coming. Thanks very much.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Stanley and the bamboos you’ve got are lovely too. You’re right about selling some of them on, I’m sure you’ll get good money with prices this year! Long term I’m sure your bamboo would definitely escape the buckets like you say and the advantage with the barrier is it’ll give one plant a lot more space to grow bigger and better. It’s hard work and expensive putting it in though for sure!

[@LookHere3]

i invested into the barrier myself. yes very expensive. i purchased vitatta painted bamboo for only $20 and then realised about a year later that i need barrier for it. purchased 12 meters of bamboo barrier 600mm long and 13mm thick for $250

[@stanleygladstone1210]

@@LookHere3 I bought 3 x 205ltr plastic food barrels. The light blue ones. I cut them in half to make six barrels and put them into the ground with hole in the base for drainage. I then put my builders buckets inside the barrels. They fit very snug. I can still lift the buckets to check on the roots. I read that the plastic used for the barrels is made from the strongest plastic you can get and it's at least 3mm thick. Fingers crossed.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@LookHere3 It’s definitely pricey but worth the investment long term. A mature bamboo is a stunning thing and to know it’s contained is definitely peace of mind!

[@rj12341]

great video I'll definitely be adding some bamboos to my garden this year, could you do a video on the fastest growing exotics? i'd be interested to see what plants are the fastest growing for the best impact in the shortest amount of time

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers Rich and that’s an interesting idea thanks! You might enjoy my Green Planet video from last month, there’s some fast growing suggestions with big leaves in that one 😃

[@danielcurley1282]

Hi George, quick question on Vivax. I'm not seeing any new shoots so far this year. I would have thought one or two would be popping their head up by now. Is this anything to worry about or are we still quite early on the shooting season? I'm thinking as weather has been unseasonably cold this might the reason? Any insights? TY.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Daniel, no problem and that’s perfectly normal for Vivax. Fargesias shoot early but a lot of the Phyllostachys, the larger ones like vivax especially, don’t start moving until later in spring so nothing to worry about. The cold weather will likely have slowed things too but once they appear they’re rapid!

[@danielcurley1282]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden You were right!! Coming towards the end of May and must have had at least 80 new shoots in the past 2/3 weeks !!! The experts certainly weren't lying when they said Vivax was a vigorous grower!!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Wow, fantastic!

[@conorosullivan6717]

super video, thinking of putting 2 vivax 35 l in a 2 metre corten planter. Have you ever put them in a planter? An y info appreciated. thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Conor. I grewmy biggest plant in a huge pot at our old house and they'll certainly grow well for a good few years. They'll never reach the same proportions as in the ground and need a lot more water but are still a very cool container plant. Ideally make sure the planter is as wide as possible and use a good moisture retentive compost. Keep them well watered and you'll be able to divide them in a few years, repot some of the divisions and sell the others on!

[@Jallenbah]

I put my vivax aureocaulis in the ground in January 2020 down in Dorset and I'm not convinced by it as a UK bamboo and am considering ripping it out in favour of atrovaginata, dulcis, or parvifolia. My reason is that the late frosts in the UK result in vivax aureocaulis shooting very late in the year - last year it started shooting in July. It then grows for about 3 months before the new culms get killed by frosts in October because they have not yet fully matured and hardened off yet. As far as climate goes, I'm in a pretty mild part of the UK. Winter temperatures are not an issue at all - the plant could easily withstand well under our winter temps. The issue is our short growing season and mild summer temperatures. I'm not convinced it's the best timber bamboo for UK growers for this reason.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and interesting thoughts thanks, I understand where you're coming from. I would say that it's still very early days for your plant and you need to give them a few years or so to settle in and really get going but I sometimes get a few late culms too. I have also got atrovaginata and parvifolia in the ground, slower to size up but I think they will be good developers in time. I think they all provide good cold-hardy timber bamboo options but I've got to say, the most impressive examples I've seen outside of Cornwall have been vivax. Whether this is because they're just quicker to get to an 'impressive' size, the bright colour helps them stand out or simply that they're more widely available I couldn't say but it's certainly not the case that every plant in every location suffers from the late culms every year. If yours continually does it though then I'd be tempted to swap as you suggested, the bigger green timber bamboos are a rare sight and every bit as stunning when they're big!

[@Jallenbah]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I think you're right about it being worth giving it a bit more time in the ground, I'm just impatient 😅 I was really lucky to get hold of some p. dulcis some time ago (dulcis supposedly gets very wide culms whilst staying comparatively short - I'll be able to confirm this when mine finally sizes up because only 2 years ago it was an 8 inch rhizome cutting) as it seems almost impossible to get hold of in the UK, but I managed to get some from bigplantnursery when they had some limited supply a while back. They are a good supplier to check out in the UK for tropicals. I do agree, the yellow culms of vivax aureocaulis are the most attractive out there. They are a richer goldy yellow than the more lemony yellow aureosulcata spectablis/aureocaulis (plus I hate the sandpaper texture of aureosulcata culms). Cheers for your reply. Good to come across a UK tropical plant grower on KZbin, I've been through your vids and I have a lot of plants in common with you.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Jallenbah Thanks and great to know you enjoy growing a lot of these plants. You're definitely in the right place to experiment with bamboo and other exotics. When it comes to bamboo, especially the bigger varieties, it's worth giving them a few years in the ground to get going, probably a couple more if they're recently divided rhizomes. With these timber bamboos though, the wait is absolutely worth it as they have the potential to be stunning plants in a relatively short time compared to other trees and shrubs etc. Yeah, I love the colour of Aureocalis, I've seen some Aureosulcata aureocaulis which have a slightly deeper richer hue but I grow all three here for the beautiful golden yellows however they turn out. I hope it grows well for you this year, there's every chance that last year's summer heat will really have helped the rhizomes develop well and it could really surprise you!

[@rofl970]

How is it doin now?

[@mikedinni6318]

I'd love it and even though I've got a big garden, I just can't give it the room it needs. On another note. I moved my borinda yunnan 4 last week because it wasn't getting the space it needed. So I dug it up with all the roots intact and pulled it up as one big clump, but now it's sulking and all its leaves have curled. Do you have any experience with moving borinda? I'm only concerned because it cost me £100 and I hope I haven't killed it 🙈

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’m sure I’ll end up taking some of mine out at some point in the future but for now I’m enjoying growing a lot of the larger timber bamboos. As for your Yunnan 4, they are a big clumper but to maybe 1.5m across at the base as far as I know, quite tight for how tall they get. It’s about the right time to do it but it’s a bamboo that always looks rough with winter wind and cold so it could be the extra stress of moving has made this appearance worse. I’d say it’s got a good chance of coming back but you may have to wait until May / June 🤞

[@MyPilis]

phyllostachys vivax f. Aureocaulis is impossible to find. Where can you buy it? I absolutely love it. I want to buy A small plant perhaps you have some for sale? Best regards Fredrik from Sweden

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Fredrik, it is indeed a lovely plant but unfortunately difficult to get hold of here too like a lot of the bigger timber bamboos. Have you tried Kimmei bamboo though, they might ship to you?

[@kevincahalan9994]

Hi George Just ordered some Fargesia , thanks , but need advice on Ensette that’s dry stored but my wife laid it down and it tried to grow but upwards Now I’ve potted it up it’s started to put out leaves at a right angle, will it straighten up or should I split outer layer to help new growth straighten Thanks Kevin

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Kevin! It’s hard to say without seeing it but I’d either stand it up and let it sort itself out or give it some surgery / chop the whole bent bit off. It’ll grow back just fine 👍

[@amtreesurgeon]

Hi, thanks for the video, where can I buy the seeds of better still the bamboo already in pots?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks, where are you based please?

[@costa-verde]

Such a good one agreed!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Definitely Dan, I wish I really had the room for a full on grove of it! 😃

[@costa-verde]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I planted a big 45 gallon one last year (finally convinced vendor to sell me a stock plant after 3 years of asking lol) and working on Corten steel ring raised planter/ root barrier for it today actually and digging around a bit its definitely putting out good roots already- wish i had more space for it but for now will be trapped inside this 4ft ring

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@costa-verde I’m sure it’ll still be an impressive sight in that ring soon enough, especially when you started with one that size! 😃

[@ashikdossajee7533]

Phyllostachys vivax is so hard to come by, well atleast trying to get this locally! Beautiful plant the only aureocaulis I have is the aureosulcata. Hopefully I'll find the vivax soon🙂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fingers crossed you manage to find some! Aureosulcata is definitely cool but with enough space vivax can look incredible!

[@ashikdossajee7533]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden oh definitely I love the massive culms they produce especially for the climate that we live in the UK, they're incredible. Yup fingers crossed I find some soon! 🤞

[@Omlittlebuddha]

George, head over to henstead exotic garden in Suffolk. Andrew has the most stunning bamboo you’ve ever seen, they are as thick as your wrist and grow a foot a day in the summer! 🤩

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It’s definitely on my list of gardens to visit thanks, I’ve been following them on Instagram for a good while. A mature bamboo is a stunning sight for sure! If we get a hot spell in June and they’re well watered you can pretty much see them growing, it’s amazing 😃

[@beslandczyk]

SUUUPER !

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks!

[@kriztian677]

Hello, I’ve just bought phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis. I’ve left it in big 500l pot bags until next year. It’s already at 3.5m but it’s not very dense. Is there anything I can do to help to make it more dense for next year ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, how do you mean by dense - there aren't many canes or each one doesn't have many leaves / branches?

[@kriztian677]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden both branches and leafs are lacking a little. One or 2 of the canes are pretty full but they also look slightly different from the rest.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@kriztian677 A bit of variation is quite normal with vivax especially but personally I’d say nothing to worry about. Mature plants can take a lot longer to settle in than young ones but if you keep it well watered in that huge pot you’ll help it along as much as possible 👍

[@kriztian677]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden appreciate it

[@raphlvlogs271]

do rhizome barriers have mini holes for the water to drain out?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

They don’t, no, but are open bottomed so the water doesn’t collect.

[@jimbailey3705]

I’m definitely too nervous to have that bamboo in my garden even though it’s absolutely an amazing look 👀. My parents planted loads of running bamboo and even put up a barrier, but clearly not a good one, as it wall went badly wrong, whoops! I’m a bit nervous the fargesia i have will clump up on the other side of my fence. But at least it’s just a park, not a neighbours garden on the other side, so I could just keep chopping down unwanted canes 😅. Can’t wait to watch how yours grows! Btw, unrelated, but I keep seeing you basjoo isn’t wrapped up for winter. I can see you left the wood leaves on to die off. Is this something you’ve done before? Is there a certain size they need to be to do this or a certain temperature at which you rush out there with fleece? I loosely wrapped a bit or horticultural fleece over mine, but seems they kept growing a bit under it. I haven’t uncovered them yet, as we’re likely to have a few more frosts yet here on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Jim, yes, good barrier and putting it in properly is a huge job but essential for these bigger ones. Fargesia are very easily controlled, sure it might expand beyond the fence but as soon as that looks remotely likely you can divide the plant, sell the divisions on and you know you’ve got a good few years before it gets close again. I’m excited to see my bamboo tunnel develop too! As for the basjoo, I used to protect the whole plant but these days I only put some fleece over if it’s forecast to freeze or below. The old leaves help to insulate it slightly but the bigger the plant, the tougher it is (to an extent). It honestly depends on the winter though, if you don’t want to lose any height then wrapping it properly is a good idea and if you don’t want to rush it and you live in a cold area then doing it in November/ December is probably best.

[@jimbailey3705]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden good to know I can just divide it when it starts getting large. :-D And I’m still looking for an app to notify me when temperatures in my area are forecast to go negative, but no luck so far. Probably best I leave mine wrapped up then, as I’d probably miss a frost or two! Thanks for the info!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@jimbailey3705 You can indeed! I just use the BBC weather app, no notifications but it’s a 2 second job opening it and you usually get an idea of general patterns and which nights are likely to be cold from a week or so out.

[@Channel-xm1cn]

Hi. Where to buy Phyllostachys vivax ??? I love the green one

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, it’s great isn’t it! It’s maybe worth contacting Scottish Bamboo to see if they have any in, it’s always a bit trickier to track down than aureocaulis unfortunately.

[@Channel-xm1cn]

Thank you for answer🙏🏼I’m already look Scottish bamboo it’s all sold out

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Channel-xm1cn Ahh, sorry to hear that. If I hear of any going I'll come back to this comment. I got some from Whitelea Nurseries (UK Bamboo) in Derbyshire I think and used to get some bamboo from Kimmei but I don't know if they can send to the UK currently.

[@robertboardman100]

Would a buried plastic bin work pleas

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I'd probably avoid it personally, it would likely be too small and I imagine would probably crack a few years down the line. The rhizome barrier is expensive but certainly the best tool for the job.

[@staceylam762]

Hi Can I grow this type of bamboo in southern CA? Oh running is not good for me

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I don't know what minimum temperatures you get down to but I'd certainly look to Fargesia or Borinda bamboos if you don't want a running variety.

[@benjaminworth7069]

Great video mate! Where do you get your bamboos from?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! I got my Vivax from a local seller years ago but Scottish Bamboo and Big Plant Nursery are great choices for smaller plants at good prices. You’re often just as well saving money and starting smaller with bamboos, young vigorous plants size up well!

[@benjaminworth7069]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks man 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@benjaminworth7069 No worries!

[@claudinebrown6294]

How would this bamboo get on in an extra large plastic pot?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Claudine, the plants I have behind me in this video were in pots until Autumn 2020, big pots! You won’t get the properly chunky canes and they’ll take a lot of watering but it’s definitely possible to grow big bamboos is pots for a good few years before they need dividing. I’d go for those big plastic black pots with handles, they’re tough.

[@missdimples1982]

I do love bamboo

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

So do I, I might have gone a little bit bamboo crazy in the garden though 😂

[@missdimples1982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden it adds to the whole feel though, you wouldn't think it was a UK garden, especially in our neck of the woods. The sound of bamboo in the breeze is also amazing

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@missdimples1982 Definitely, I completely agree! The sound is lovely although more appreciated with a cool breeze and blue sky on a summers’ day than the constant battering we’ve had over the last month 😂

[@danielcurley1282]

Hello do you have any recommendations for UK suppliers of Vivax bamboo please?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Daniel, at the minute I'm not sure as I know Scottish Bamboo are unfortunately out of it. It might be worth getting in touch with UK Bamboo (Whitelea Nurseries), you'll probably have to give them a ring though.

[@danielcurley1282]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you. I actually managed to source 8 beauties from Big Plant Nursery at a good price. Can't wait to see them flourish 🙂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@danielcurley1282 Nice one! That's a great haul, I'm sure they'll grow well for you!

[@danielcurley1282]

Hi George the vivax is in. Looks amazing already. Quick q - in your experience how far down can the rhizomes go? I've got a 20 inch root barrier installed (2 inch is above soil level) so just want to ensure this is ok? Thank you

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@danielcurley1282 Hi Daniel and nice one, top work! Some places recommend a 750mm depth but I guess 20 inch should realistically be fine for the vast majority of bamboo. I guess if you were giving the plant a lot of space, it would get bigger and potentially be able to root deeper but for most plants restricted by barrier in UK gardens they won't get to quite those proportions anyway. If you've already put it in, I wouldn't worry, it'll certainly constrain the spread of the plant well.

[@shineamen3107]

This "Aureocaulis" is a beast! Beautiful, but I need to buy a house (or just a garden) first... The "Huangwenzhu inversa" looks great also. It looks a bit like P. aureosulcata "Spectabilis", may be not the same size. I used to sell P. bissetii at my plant shop some years ago. I liked the green color of the canes. I tried also a totally diferent one Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda. Sorry George, I am writing a book again... All the best for your tropical forest!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed! The ‘Huangwenzhu inversa’ is similar to ‘Spectablis’ in terms of colouring but the green is more blocky rather than stripes and odd patterns. They’ll all beautiful colours though. Bisettii is certainly a lovely green one, very dense and tough too. I’ve got an atrovaginata and parvifolia that I’m really looking forward to watching size up too! The walking stick bamboo is definitely an unusual one but certainly a rampant runner! No worries Bernard, I appreciate your thoughts and experience, all the best!

[@shineamen3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you always for your kind words and your time. Bamboo is a fascinating universe... and many other plants as well.... Take care

[@shineamen3107]

The two Phyllostachys you mentioned look terrific!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@shineamen3107 Thanks, it is indeed, I wish I had a few acres to play with! Those two are potential giants for cold climates so I’m definitely excited to see them develop 😃 All the best!

[@rofl970]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden how is your parviflora and attovaginata doing compared to vivax monster?

[@kriztian677]

What is the difference between the Vivax and Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. aureocaulis

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and apologies for the delayed reply. Vivax is a lot bigger bamboo, the culms get taller and a lot thicker but the whole plant requires more room and will eventually try to create an open grove. Aureosulcata has an incredible golden colour, is very upright but gets to around 6m and the culms aren't as thick. It's an incredible bamboo as well though, very striking and upright.

[@okantichrist]

Hi , the vivax really is a stunner ! I have phyllostachys vivax,nigra,bissettii , aurea and aureosulcata as well as different fargesias and semiarundinaria fastuosa . What I have found where I live (Deal,Kent) is that the nigra and aurea don’t really run.The aureosulcata ,bissetii and semiarundinaria do. So far I’m controlling them by twice yearly rhizome pruning with a sharp spade. My one big problem is sparrows 😡! They strip alot of the new leaves off my phyllostachys species as the culms develop leaving bare twiggy canes that are a real eyesore.For this one reason I’m considering removing them ( the phyllostachys 🤣) as everything I’ve tried has failed to prevent these feathered pests🤬

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It is indeed and you grow some beauties! From what I’ve read over the years, nigra can suddenly decide to run after many years just to keep you on your toes! Rhizome pruning is great for control and something I will touch on in a future video BUT it only works if you’re dedicated to doing it properly like yourself and aren’t planning on moving house soon! I remember hearing about your sparrows, the pests! One of my culms is stripped and I assumed it was the first cold spell attacking a late forming culm but I’ll have to keep an eye out now!

[@albertybob2286]

Are all bamboo shoots edible?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, good question and in all honesty, not one I'm entirely sure about! A bit of googling suggests they're mostly potentially edible but need cooking well and some taste awful so personally I'd only grow one for eating if it's a proven delicacy!

[@koosvanleeuwe2580]

Net goud koorts vivax bamboe🤣

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, awesome plants though!

[@brutusjb3814]

Sorry bud, you ramble on way too much I couldn't watch the video

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries, a lot of my regular views appreciate a bit more personality and context in vids, others prefer more straight to the point info. I try to balance both when appropriate but understand I can't keep everyone happy every video, so thanks for the feedback.