Abstract: In terms of the knowledge about the regulation and adaptation of clonal plants, this paper deals with the temporal and spatial dynamics of bamboo shoots in Phyllostachys pubescens. It was found that the mean number of new shoots emerging per unit area and the mean individual size varied among years. More, larger and higher new shoots emerged and survived in the favourable year than in a unfavourable year. Furthermore , shoots of the earlier cohorts were constantly larger and higher than those of the later cohorts from beginning to end. Shoots of the earlier cohorts grew slowly before their fast growing, while shoot growth of the later cohorts did not show such a slowly growing phase. Nevertheless, All shoots of both cohorts reached the fastest growing phase almost at the same time. The daily height increment of the bamboo shoots may amount to approximately 100 cm per day. It was discussed that why and how subtropical bamboo shoots differing in emergence time in spring may reach the canopy almost at the same time. At last, some suggestions were proposed for the management of the bamboo forests.