It has been over thirty years since Texas has experienced similar weather conditions that iced up everything living plant the week starting February 14, 2021. Thirty odd years ago I do remember having to start up my car when the temperature was in single digits, but we did not have the ice at that time. Bamboo had not been introduced to my life at that time - so I cannot do a bamboo comparison from back then. This time - the low temperatures in the Austin, TX area reached 4-6 degrees Fahrenheit and came with snow and ice. All vegetation, bamboo included took a hit. At first it did not seem too bad - the weight of the ice caused the bamboo to bend as if it was bowing to the Gods. It was beautiful as I looked out my window.Many people in Texas have opted to grow Bambusa species and the low temperatures which occurred are well below the suggested minimum temperature. Right from the start of the great freeze - the leaves on all bamboos looked fried. Now about a month later,the leaves on all the Bambusa species that I see as I drive around town are yellow. No leaves have fallen off yet - but I expect that to happen in the next few weeks. The Phyllostachys leaves are also yellow now. I am expecting new leaves will grow on the Phyllostachys. I keep looking for the new leaves, but it is still too soon. Maybe by the time this article is printed the newleaves will start emerging. Some canes snapped and were broken by the weight of the ice. The aurea canes usually break at a junction that is a knobby spot.
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