BAMBOO NURSERY
In order to serve local farmers and bamboo
growers, I am offering the species listed below. The main
species currently in demand are Dendrocalamus strictus (all
purpose, for living fences) and Guadua
angustifolia
(for construction). Below this list, you will find additional species that can be
ordered.
All sales are local, I do not ship bamboo. Please inquire about
prices. Most specimen are sold in 3
gallon containers.
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Bambusa lako (Timor Black
Bamboo)
 From the Indonesian island of Timor. One of the
world’s most beautiful bamboos and a prized collector’s species.
Culms emerge green and mature to a shiny chocolate black, with an
almost purplish tint. Grows erect and arches at the top. Can be
planted either as a specimen/focal point, in a row along a
path/road/stream, or among other tropical foliage. Slightly open
clumper with very straight growth. 45' tall with 3-4" diameter
culms. Valuable for furniture and musical instruments. Shoots are
edible but not of high quality. Can be planted in full sun; ideal
windbreak (holds up very well in storms and even hurricanes). It's
disease and drought resistancy make it an ideal species for wide
propagation.
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Guadua angustifolia (Guadua)
 This is one of the few species that originates in South America and
it is very similar in quality to superior bamboos of South East
Asia. This species is ideal for use in heavy construction.
It is an open clumper, which means that it
requires more ground space than many other large species. It can
grow up to 75 feet and a mature clump looks quite
impressive.
Guadua
angustifolia is in high demand and will sell out fast,
please make your order on time. My Guadua stock for 2011/2012 is
almost depleted.
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Bambusa ventricosa
(Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo)
 Originates in China. Its name is derived
from the swollen lower internodes. Very popular for ornamental
purpose but also highly valued for furniture making and
decorative uses. Although it can be kept in a container like a bonsai, it can reach over 45
feet when planted in the ground. Diameter: 2-3 inches. It grows well
in poor soil and dry areas and is an ideal wind break; also planted
for erosion control close by rivers and creeks. Can be planted as a
hedge.
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Guadua
velutina
(Guadua)
 Native to Central and
South America. This rare Guadua
species is commonly used for high quality, heavy construction; it can can
reach up to 50 feet and has a culm diameter of
4 inches.
A limited amount of specimen
will be available in 2012.
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Schyzostachyum
brachycladum (Sacred Bali Bamboo)
 One
of the most striking bamboo species existing. Golden-yellow with
vertical green stripes.
Its primary use
is decorative - it makes a beautiful center piece in any
landscaping arrangement - and as a source of large amounts of
organic matter (fallen leaves). It is also ideal for erosion
control. This species is too thin-walled for construction but one
can make woven ropes out of split and
pounded culms.
35 feet with 2
inch culms. |
Dendrocalamus
strictus (Male
Bamboo)
 Origin: India. This species
grows in a very tight clump, up to 45 feet with a 2.5 – 3 inch
diameter. D. strictus is a very popular structural bamboo in India (it
covers over 50% of all bamboo grown there), and it is also used for
pulp/paper production. It can be grown under dry and wet conditions, in
a variety of soils but it does require good drainage.
D. strictus
is often planted to reclaim
ravine land in India. Its culms are almost solid and thus very
strong. Its tensile strength is close to that of mild steel. Besides
used in construction (where it is also becoming increasingly used to
reinforce concrete), it is also used for furniture and musical
instruments. The young shoots are edible, and a decoction of the
leaves and nodes is used for medicinal purpose.
D. strictus makes a good
living fence and is the most affordable species in my nursery. For
this reason, it is high in demand and I need several months time to
propagate enough for a large order (50 specimen +).
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Gigantochloa
atroviolacea (Java Black
Bamboo, Tropical Black Bamboo)
 Originates in the Java
area. A magnificent, deep purple or black-culmed bamboo which
retains its color after harvesting. It is one of the most valued bamboos
for furniture and musical instruments.
G. atroviolacea
grows up to 50 feet tall and has a diameter of about 4 inches. Its
shoots are edible but need to be cooked. Grows well in full sun and
in a variety of soils.
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These additional species can be
ordered in small quantities:
Bambusa
balcooa
75', 5"
diameter. Origin: India. Good structural bamboo but requires lots of
space and is relatively difficult to harvest (because of it's horizontal
branches).
Bambusa chungii
30',
2.5" diameter. Beautiful, ornamental species. Too thin-walled for
construction but used for weaving and handicrafts.
Bambusa
emeiensis
35', 2.5" diameter.
Very attractive and rare species. Striped culms and very beautiful shades
of green. One of the best tropical landscape bamboos. Useful for light
construction.
Bambusa multiplex
25',
2" diameter. Very popular species for hedges; due to its relatively small
size, it is often planted in gardens for its ornamental appearance. Cooked
shoots are edible. Commonly used for weaving, screens, handicrafts.
Bambusa oldhamii
50',
4'' diameter. Very straight growing species, extensively used to make
furniture, but not suitable for construction projects. High
quality edible shoots. Often used as windbreak.
Bambusa pervariabilis
viridistriata
45', 2.5" diameter. Very attractive
yellow-golden culms with cream stripes on the basal nodes. Commonly used
for light poles/rods, furniture and farm tool
handles.
Bambusa tuldoides
35',
2.5" diameter. Very important, thick-walled and upright growing species
with one of the highest tensile strengths (40 000 psi). One of the most
used smaller structural bamboos in Asia.
Bambusa ventricosa
50',
2" diameter. There are two main types of this species: a straight growing
one, and one with swollen internodes (known as Buddha's belly bamboo).
Extensively used for windbreaks and erosion control. Makes an impenetrable
hedge. Shoots are edible.
Borinda fungosa
Small,
ornamental species; grows well in light shade, performs better in cooler
(subtropical) regions than in wet tropical lowlands.
Borinda
yunnanensis
Similar like F. fungosa but slightly
larger (up to 20').
Dendrocalamus asper
(black)
90', 10"; One of the largest species and also one
of the most important structural species. Also known for it's excellent
edible shoots. A "must" in any collection (especially the black type)
and for anyone who is interested in heavy construction.
Dendrocalamus
sikkimensis
60', 6" diameter. One of my favorite bamboo
species. The culms turn orange-bronze with age if planted in full sun or
light shade. Often used for water pipes and general construction. Edible
shoots of high quality. Rare.
Gigantochloa apus
60',
4" diameter. This species is used extensively in Indonesia for roof
rafters. Split culms are used for baskets or made into ropes. Cooked
shoots are excellent.
Gigantochloa atter
60',
5" diameter. This magnificent species is very fast growing and a classic
in the bamboo world. Ideal for construction and furniture, with high
quality edible shoots.
Guadua amplexifolia
40',
4" diameter. Smaller, less thorny relative of G.
angustifolia. Highly recommendable for construction but
needs to be very well cured because it appears to be more susceptible to
insects than G. angustifolia .
Guadua aureocaulis
40',
4" diameter; Bright colored, highly attractive culms with random
green stripes and white nodal rings, and variegated leaves. One of my
favorite bamboo species (also known as "moonlight bamboo"). Suitable for
heavy construction.
Melocanna baccifera
50',
3.5" diameter. Also known as "berry bamboo" because of its large fruits.
Although the fruit is supposedly edible, I haven't been able to figure out
yet how to eat it - no matter at what stage I harvested the fruit, it was
extremely hard. The shoots are edible and the species is widely used for
weaving (mats, baskets, hats, etc.).
Nastus elatus
50', 4"
diameter. This New Guinea species is considered to be one of the best
edible bamboos: the deliciously sweet shoots can even be eaten raw. It is
recognized by its drooping culm tips, and although it requires relatively
much water, it only grows well if there is sufficient drainage.
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I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone
who has helped out this project over the years. Even if I can't
acknowledge all of you individually since so many people have
supported Govardhan Gardens in so many ways, I certainly remember
every one of you. 
