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Bamboo
Jan 25, 2011 1:07:26 GMT
Post by LittleJP on Jan 25, 2011 1:07:26 GMT
I'm curious, I see Paul and some other people around here having a large supply of bamboo. Are you guys growing it, or buying it? I was thinking a little bamboo would be nice up here in Canada, and I did find out a few species can survive our winters  . |
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TomK
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,377
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Bamboo
Jan 25, 2011 1:13:56 GMT
Post by TomK on Jan 25, 2011 1:13:56 GMT
I used to have a couple groves growing wild near by me when I lived in South Carolina. up this way there isn't much to be found. I will not buy the stuff. it is basically a weed.
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Bamboo
Jan 25, 2011 4:01:29 GMT
Post by Maynar on Jan 25, 2011 4:01:29 GMT
Johnwalter lives in an area where it grows wild. Some time ago he was harvesting and packaging some for sale, although I don't know how well that worked out for him.
If he doesn't reply here, he also hangs out on wiwingti's forum, maybe you could catch up with him there.
As I recall his prices for a shipped package of bamboo seemed quite reasonable....
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Bamboo
Jan 25, 2011 4:18:19 GMT
Post by LittleJP on Jan 25, 2011 4:18:19 GMT
I'd rather grow my own, would love to start a little grove here, and I know my mother wanted a little japanese themed garden.
The problem is that winter here is especially cold.
Hopefully I'll find a way to get seeds that can survive around here.
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Bamboo
Jan 25, 2011 4:45:42 GMT
Post by Maynar on Jan 25, 2011 4:45:42 GMT
There's such a creature as bamboo that can survive an Ontario winter? Whoa.
Best of luck JP. Let us know how it goes, yeah?
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Bamboo
Jan 28, 2011 19:15:56 GMT
Post by shoboshi on Jan 28, 2011 19:15:56 GMT
JP, If you are really interested in growing some of your own bamboo, check out these links. A lot of useful information as well as some temp ratings that will help you determine which one would most likely survive your winters. Be warned though, it is going to take a while. I've had some in my backyard for two years now and it will likely be another two before I can harvest any for cutting. Good luck. www.bamboogarden.com/price.htm#P ... %20Allgold www.lewisbamboo.com/index.html |
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Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
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Bamboo
Jan 29, 2011 2:36:31 GMT
Post by Sam H on Jan 29, 2011 2:36:31 GMT
There are cold hardy types of bamboo that can be grown in northern climates. North America has/had its own varieties of bamboo growing wild too. This bamboo however, the cold climate stuff that is, is often not very large. Most are pencil size in diameter or grow to be a max of not more than 1" in diameter. They are also clumping types of bamboo being that they do not spread rapidly so as to conserve energy in the rhysomes of the plants for the winter. Warm climate bamboo spreads more readily and grows larger than cold climate bamboo.
Bamboo can be purchased fairly inexpensively and it is possible to grow warm climate bamboo inside your house. Shipping is expensive though. If you grow bamboo outdoors and you live in a cold climate be forewarned that your bamboo will not get very tall or large. Of course growing bamboo indoors has its own challenges too. No matter what you do Shoboshi is correct in saying that it'll take some time to get cutting size bamboo. If you live in a warm climate and start a bamboo grove of your own from young plants you will have to wait at least a couple years if not 4 or 5 before you get bamboo large enough to use for cutting. You also have to be diligent in growth control of warm weather bamboo varietals since they spread like weeds and are just as difficult to get rid of once they take over a place. Its not unheard of for people to plant a small clump of bamboo (like 2 or 3 plants) and within a few years end up with their entire back yard overgrown with bamboo. Do some serious research and you'll realize it takes a lot of effort to grow bamboo without it taking over your land.
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Bamboo
Jan 29, 2011 7:12:49 GMT
Post by shoboshi on Jan 29, 2011 7:12:49 GMT
Absolutely correct!
The spread into unwanted areas seems to be the big issue. I planted mine according to information found in various sites about bamboo and check my barrier several times a year, or more. As long as that is done, there should not be an issue. So far I have not found any roots trying to extend past the barrier, but my plants have only been in the ground for two seasons.
Also, bear in mind that bamboo only grows stalks for a few months during the spring. Once that shoot is done growing, it will never get any taller and the plant will not put any more shoots that year (usually). The thing to keep in mind, is that once the shoots are done growing, the root system continues, and that's where people run into problems with spread.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Bamboo
Jan 29, 2011 7:35:56 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2011 7:35:56 GMT
We need to remember that bamboo is a grass and it behaves like a grass. Think of how crabgrass takes over an area. No worries about invasive bamboo plants where I live though. There's six feet of snow in my front yard and we're expecting another cold snap of 30 below. If I saw a bamboo plant up here, I'd call the Guinness Book of Records.
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Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
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Bamboo
Jan 30, 2011 1:11:11 GMT
Post by Sam H on Jan 30, 2011 1:11:11 GMT
Actually its still possible. Bear in mind that even in the northern reaches of China which experiences yearly snowy and cold winters bamboo still thrives. There are species of bamboo that will survive in climates that regularly reach -20 degrees F. The occasional snap to -30 might damage the younger culms of such plants but the plant should survive till the next growing season. www.mibamboo.com/plants.htmScroll down that page for some species that are possible. Now of course if you live in the great NW of Canada and experience arctic conditions for half the year this might have a problem with bamboo growth. |
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