[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

Lisa, you might also consider using a citrus variety for a barrier or landscape schield.  For example, I have a sweet chinese lemon on an alley chain link fence. The tree on one trunk is about three to four feet thick, seven to nine feet tall and at least twenty five feet in breadth providing a total barrier from the Alley. Any citrus could be shaped in this way but I regret I did not use a Washington Naval or a tangelo. The Sweet Lemon is a bit tasteless but the tree and many fruit is beautiful. A few people like the bland flavor as opposed to an ordinary lemon but I've never tried to make lemonade with it. 

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona 
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dick 
  To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu ; azsunsfan at gmail.com 
  Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 1:57 PM
  Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


  I don't remember if I responded to your inquiry on bamboo but the most important property you should consider is the type. Of the two common species, Running and clumping, be sure that you select any clumping type or be prepared to chase and dig up clusters from all over the neighborhood. Runners won't cross dry land but, in my experience, in a typical garden, runners will eventually go to hell and back unless you install 1/4th inch plastic barriers 18, or better, 24 inches deep to corral it. Every root junction will set root and runners take off from there. 

  Your nursery specialist may not know the difference between the two but if he can't tell you which is which, don't buy the specimen until you have confirmed that the variety is clomping, or running if that happens to be the variety you want or unless you are prepared to install barriers.. You can find that info in a horticultural encyclopedia if you know the variety. I have seen the running type travel beneath the surface over 30 feet from the parent corm.

  I once planted the Mexican Weeping in the Subtropical Demo Garden. I believe it is clumping and I am fairly certain the Golden Goddess is running but do not take my word for either.  Bamboo is a great plant but put it in full sun for it to do its best. It may be an understory plant in Borneo but in my yard I would give it with full exposure.

  I have seen acres of dense bamboo forests in the Hawaiian Islands where the running type may be considered an invasive weed.

  Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
  University if Arizona Maricopa County 
  Cooperative Extension. 

  Bcc: AzCRFG Members
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: <azsunsfan at gmail.com>
  To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
  Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 2:43 PM
  Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


  > 
  > 85310
  > azsunsfan at gmail.com
  > 
  > Hello,
  > Can you recommend a bamboo that we can use in Phoenix area in full sun.  Would the Mexican weeping bamboo or Golden Goddess (bambusa multiplex) work?  we need something over 8 ft tall for screening a view.
  > thanks,
  > Lisa
  > 
  > 
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