Snow in the Bamboo Jungle

A huge storm packed the foothills with snow last night. The snowfall has made for some very unique photo opportunities in the Jungle Supply Bamboo Garden. We were surprised to find some of our tall bamboo plants to be leaning over because of the weight of the snow. Although bamboo does well with strong winds from the side, the extra weight of the snow caused the plants caused the plants to lean over. This storm has reminded us of the importance of ‘winter timing’ when planting bamboo. Any bamboo planted within the last several months is vulnerable to this extreme weather. Check out some tips about cultivating bamboo here.

The bamboo in the above picture is Phyllostachys bambusoides, aka Japanese Timber. It is cold hardy to temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C), so it will easily survive this weather. Young bamboo plants or tropical species might not be so lucky.

These pictures were taken in Newcastle, California. An area that only sees snow every 5 years or so, but rarely to this magnitude. We send out best wishes to everyone in the area who has been affected by the snow storms.

Bamboo FAQ: How Fast does Bamboo Grow?

How Fast does Bamboo Grow?

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world (fastest growing plant on land that is). They say it grows so quickly that you can hear it. Under optimum conditions, bamboo has been recorded growing up to 46 inches per day. That's nearly 4 feet! The plant will reach its maximum height and girth after a single season of growth, which can be close to 100 feet tall and 8 inches wide. A bamboo plant produces about 5 times more "Bio-Mass" than your average tree. Learn more about bamboo!