Hello all,
I’m getting ready to cut one of my arundo stems from the pot as it is nearing 10 ft high. Just wondering if there are any particular details I should know about before doing so. I plan to send it out to a friend in Quebec City.
upiper71
Any reason why you are going to cut it at ten ft? What is the OD of the stem? Are you cutting this to send on as a ‘cutting’ or as something to be dried, cured and eventually to be used for reeds? Send me a PM, I have some insight into this beastie that I would like to share with you. 
Hey Joseph,
It’s about Bass drone reed size, and it about.30" diameter. It also is becoming a behemoth of over-growth all-over the ceiling outside.
upiper71
So, you are thinking of cutting it and drying/curing it to make into drone reeds?
In my experience, if you cut that cane while it is still green and full of sap, the tubes (whatever size they may be) will shrivel and become useless. My advice, move them outside and let Mother Nature work her magic on them. Then, when they are ready, cut them, dry/cure them, and send them off to whomever.
Ok, no problem. I guess I’ll let nature take its course and we’ll see what transpires…Thanks again buddy.
No problem. I didn’t mean to come off sounding ‘all lordy lordy’ on you, I just wanted to prevent you from developing shrivelled drone reeds… ummm… yeah… 
Not a problem at all. I’m actually looking at making them into drone reeds later on, but I intend to ship some to PJ, unless of course to deem it to be inadvisable. I’m only a handful of hours away from him, and so he’d like to take a crack at it.
Regards,
upiper71
The best results will come from allowing the cane to ‘mature’… allowing the sap to drop and the cane to die off… as it were. This ought to happen in early/late fall in your neck of the woods. I wouldn’t let it sit out in freezing weather, cut it and bring it into you home to dry, preferably near or in a source of direct sunlight… and that will also help to assist it in turning a nice golden color.
Thanks again Joseph!!
Joseph,
In my city there is a park which has a bamboo-like forest that I think was planted next to a stream (I think to muffle the sound of the trains that run behind it). I don’t know if this is Arundo donax or bamboo or what. I’m no plant expert. During lunch I’ll take some pics and post them.
Is there anything really identifiying about Arundo donax?
No pictures today, my digital camera is at my In-Laws
I am not certain that Arundo would survive the winters in Delaware.. but, I have heard of it surviving Ohio winters. Here are a few photos that will help you in indentifying it:
I hope this helps you out some. If it turns out to be Arundo, cool!!!
Yes, the delaware winters are a consideration.
I hear that once this stuff takes root, even Napalm can’t take it out.
The soil in my town is all VERY Clay soil. I read that this stuff can grow well in clay. In fact I live one mile from “White Clay Creek” state park.
Its about 15 feet high and averages about an inch diameter. Thats why I’m kinda hoping that it is Arundo since it’ll be mature as well.
Does it have a long hairy looking stalk at the very tip/top???
Like this
I’ll have to take a second look 
Some of the older dead stalks might, but it is early in the growing season up there for them to appear yet.
I’m trying to avoid some chores so here are a couple of websites with a few more pictures:
http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/mbierner/bio406d/images/pics/poa/arundo_donax.htm
http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi?earl=plant_profile.cgi&symbol=ARDO4
I don’t see long hairy things on top.
I’ll get you guys pictures as soon as I can.
Its funny some of the picutes you guys are showing me look just like it and others don’t. Particularly the ones with the hairy tops.
If I can’t make Reeds out of it maybe I can smoke it…
This photo…
… depicts the later stages of the life of the stalks. They have branched out (great drone reed cane here), most of the leaves have fallen off, and the stalks themselves are turning gold.
This photo…
.. depicts the stalk early on in life. It is fully foliated, no branches as of yet and it is usually deep green, or deep green with white striping (varigated).