Northwest Palms

Quest for chusquea bamboo

In my quest for Chusquea bamboo, I was instructed by a South American that a species
exisits high in the Andies mountains that can take -20 degrees Celcius. I thought he was bluffing but he assured he is not. To test this, I am going to attempt to acquire some and get enough extra to put that to the test. If so, people in Kelowna and Oysoyoos etc. will have a touch of the paradise we enjoy on the coast with their gardens!

The following thread was started by Carl McIntosh on December 28, 2002 at 3:40 am PST

Chusquea andina occurs above tree-line. The trees in question are things like deciduous Nothofagus--not exactly tender.

The above followup was added by Rob Wagner on December 28, 2002 at 4:52 am PST.

I know that the owner of Bamboo Gardens in Portland (Milwaukie area) had Chusquea starts. He was kind enough to give me several kinds, however, only one "took". It is still small but thriving. I know they recently moved from their former location which was a bamboo fan's paradise with several acres planted with every genera and species that will grow in this area. Their phone number is listed as 503-654-0024. Hope that helps.

The above followup was added by Steve in Portland z8b on December 28, 2002 at 5:50 pm PST.

I'm not sure if I would count on the hardiest Chusqueas growing east of the mountains, because they may be fussy alpine plants that do not tolerate heat and have exacting soil requirements. However C. andina is probably at least that hardy; even the ones from lowland regions such as C. valdiviensis have turned out to be a little hardier than expected.

The above followup was added by Ian on December 28, 2002 at 8:22 pm PST.

I have see in Chile chusquea montana and culeu resists -15ºC. It's fantastic!!!

The above followup was added by Andrew Newmann on January 07, 2003 at 7:46 pm PST.

It's thrue what Carl is saying, I have chusqueas (culeou and montana) in a nurserie here in Chile, and they resist with no problem -15 degrees celsius.

The above followup was added by Diego Grüebler on January 07, 2003 at 7:50 pm PST.

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The above followup was added by Diego Grüebler on January 07, 2003 at 9:50 pm PST.