Chusquea Gigantea

Description

Chusquea gigantea is an amazing giant bamboo. It is thought to be the largest and the hardiest among the Chusquea variety. It grows quite tall but slightly smaller in temperate climates. It has straight and solid culms that are strikingly attractive with bright yellow-green color and distinct nodes.

The culm sheaths of Chusquea gigantea have a red tint and are coated with small white hairs. It looks a lot different from many other species’. Chusquea gigantea sheaths seem quite short and tight against the culm. They tend to crack or split as the culm grows but don’t fall off very readily.

Although Chusquea gigantea has a clumping rhizome system, the culms grow well spaced and in a grove of thick canes with prominent nodes. The root structure of Chusquea gigantea tends to be much deeper than other bamboo species.

Chusquea gigantea is a very quick-growing bamboo species. Even in heavy clay soil, it can get up to 13 ft (4 m) tall just after two growing seasons. Chusquea gigantea thrives in both containers and in the ground.

You must mulch the soil to keep the plant happy. Ensure you water it correctly to avoid damaging the roots.

Light requirements

Chusquea gigantea loves to be in full sun or light shade. If it’s planted in a container, give it some sun in the morning and mild shade in the middle of the day. Especially if it’s a really hot climate.

You should know that this bamboo does not tolerate hot soil for too long. If you intend to plant Chusquea gigantea on the ground in an extremely hot climate, you may need to mulch the soil heavily and water it frequently.

This species is wind-resistant and very valuable for its beautiful, solid canes.

• Botanical name: Chusquea gigantea (previously: Chusquea aff. culeou, Chusquea breviglumis)
• Average height: 20-25 ft (6 – 15 m)
• Light requirements:  Full sun to partial shade
• Hardiness: 0°F (-18°C)
• USDA Zones: 7-9
• UK Hardiness Zones: H6-H3
• Average diameter: 1.0-1.5 in (3-5 cm)

Chusquea gigantea is a clumping bamboo introduced from Central and South America.

This variety produces slightly open clusters making it more vertical and very effective screening bamboo.

Chusquea gigantea is a beautiful evergreen bamboo. It grows quite tall but slightly smaller in temperate climates. It has straight and solid culms that are strikingly attractive with bright yellow-green color and distinct nodes.

The culm sheaths of Chusquea gigantea have a red tint and are coated with small white hairs. It looks a lot different from many other species’. Chusquea gigantea sheaths seem quite short and tight against the culm. They tend to crack or split as the culm grows but don’t fall off very readily.

Although Chusquea gigantea has a clumping rhizome system, the culms grow well spaced and in a grove of thick canes with prominent nodes. The root structure of Chusquea gigantea tends to be much deeper than other bamboo species.

Chusquea gigantea is a very quick-growing bamboo species. Even in heavy clay soil, it can get up to 13 ft (4 m) tall just after two growing seasons. Chusquea gigantea thrives in both containers and in the ground.

You must mulch the soil to keep the plant happy. Ensure you water it correctly to avoid damaging the roots.

Light requirements

Chusquea gigantea loves to be in full sun or light shade. If it’s planted in a container, give it some sun in the morning and mild shade in the middle of the day. Especially if it’s a really hot climate.

You should know that this bamboo does not tolerate hot soil for too long. If you intend to plant Chusquea gigantea on the ground in an extremely hot climate, you may need to mulch the soil heavily and water it frequently.