Borinda grossa
a woody evergreen member of the Borinda genus in the family Gramineae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The canes have level nodes, thin walls and long internodes. They split easily and are suitable for weaving into baskets, fencing sections, mats for house roofing etc[6]. This is one of the most important of the minor forestry products in Bhutan and is widely harvested throughout its range[6].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Weaving
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas in Bhutan.
- Habitat
- Wetter temperate mixed coniferous forests, often associated with hemlock, at altitudes of 2600 - 3200 metres in central and eastern Bhutan[6].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Division in late spring[5]. Best done as the new shoots first appear above ground[5]. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more[4]. Basal cane cuttings[5].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and cannot be sure that it will be hardy in Britain. It does experience quite a bit of frost in its native habitat, however, and should be hardy at least in the milder areas of the country. It is a clump-forming species[6], it does not hinder the regeneration of forests in its native range since the tree seedlings are able to germinate and re-produce in the gaps between the clumps[6]. The following cultivation notes are based on the general needs of bamboos and are not necessarily applicable to this species[K]. Prefers an open loam of fair quality[4] and a position sheltered from cold drying winds[2]. Succeeds on peaty soils. Requires abundant moisture and plenty of organic matter in the soil[1][2]. Grows well in light woodland[3]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
? The Plantsman. Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society 1979-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lawson. Bamboos. Faber 1968-00-00
Stapleton. C. Bamboos of Bhutan Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-947643-67-2