Phyllostachys heterocycla cv pubescens "Moso"

I purchased some seed in March 2004 from a vendor on eBay. I experienced as high as a 75% germination rate on some batches. However, quite a few of the seedlings have since died...not certain if it is just "only the strong will survive" or what. There is also a chance that alot died due to underpotting as we had these in four inch pots and quite a few in water bottles since we had so many initally we had to pot them in whatever we could find. We have since repotted all remaining seedlings in 1 gals and a few in the ground to see what they do. Also, water seems to be another possible issue. Either way the seedlings are perking up and most are sending up the first new shoots of the year.

The above pics show Moso seed as it is germinating. Not the greatest pics.

The above pics are the few hundred seedlings that have survived. Most look like the middle pictures now. The growth on these was verysmall compared to others I have talked to, but with the temperature, humidity, hurricanes, underpotting and other conditions it is hard to say what these "should" look like. 2006 will be a great year to monitor and track the growth.

June 2006. Moso shoots have developed on most plants and we they are now starting to look like bamboo and not just twigs.

July 2006. Most of the seedlings have put up some impressive growth, while some have remained small and fragile looking. It has been said that growing from seed will produce some variation, so maybe this is what we have. Guess the old saying only the strong will survive pertains here.