Real Long Bamboo

I was watching Rebecca's Garden the other day on HGTV, and she was using 10 foot bamboo poles as supports for various things in her garden.

I figured to myself, "Hey! I NEED some of those!". Then I realized that I have 16 acres here, and I could surely grow a grove of the stuff at the bottom of the pasture and harvest it as I need it.

The only question now is: What kind of bamboo grows to form 10 foot tall, perfectly straight stalks? Can anyone clue me in? And where might I purchase some of these plants?

Thanks,
Dave

Moso bamboo can grow up to 80 feet. It's used for bridge building in China. Lots of bamboo can go to 30. There are several specialty bamboo nurseries on the web. I used to have Burt's Bamboo bookmarked, but the website doesn't seem to be up anymore. I'm sure Google can find you a few places to buy different kinds, and ones that will be hardy to your area. With 16 acres you may not be worried about control now, but try to plan your site so that you can mow around it to control the new shoots if it gets really large. Bamboo is just giant grass, and it likes the same conditions that grass does, sun, lots of moisture, and a high N fertilizer.

When you find some Dave..post it here, I too would like to get some seed or seedlings

Hi Dave!

Here's a place you can start:
http://www.lewisbamboo.com/

I've been considering bamboo, too, but in our yard, I'm concerned about it's spreading. However, with all the pole beans we are doing this year, sure wish I had some!

Hope this helps!
Theresa

My neighbor cut down all of his last year's shoots earlier this spring, and now he's got new shoots coming up. I didn't catch him in time to get some before he burned them in a brush pile, but I've got my eye on his grove this year, and will be watching for him to prune them again. It's nice to have neighbors who grow things that I can use, LOL!

My client Frank's Cane & Rush sells all sorts of bamboo and other natural materials from all over the world. No plants however.

http://www.franksupply.com/

The stuff grows wild around here.Look in your creek or river bottoms Dave. I'm planning a 'cutting expidition' here shortly.Got to get on with it before the poision ivy and copperheads get thick.Shoulda done it before things greened up. The local 'cane' as we call it is semi evergreen and can get 10-12 feet tall pretty easily. You've heard of a 'canebreak' well,that's Southern bamboo.

I don't know if it grows in your area...we're classified as Mississippi River Lowlands,being west of the TN river.It's pretty common around here and pretty much a pest plant...most anyone will be more than happy to let you take as much as you want.

Check with the old folk and they can tell you whether it grows around your place.

Excellent. Thanks for all this information, everybody. I'll report the results when I get some cane!

dave

Our Whole Foods market carried that in their garden area, last year-it did not sell well-so I got 10 of the 10 foot canes for a buck a piece. When I was looking into getting some (before I saw this) I happened on a site that talked about iron bamboo-extra strong type, but pricey. Home Depot here carries some thick canes, but not the 10'--I am still figuring out how to make an artistic garden piece, with what I have. If you cannot find any, I can check with the Whole Foods manager and see if she knows where they got it from.

David, I need to show you the pictures of Darius' bamboo structures. She's made trellises and other neat climbing things for her yard. She can probably tell you where to get some of that big bamboo, too. It'll mean a trip to NC with the TRUCK, tho. When my computer gets fixed, I'll scan a shot of her yard so you can see it. GL

If you want STRAIGHT culms, and you have 16 acres, grow Phyllostachys species. They are running bamboos, though, and will spread quickly if watered well. Bambusa species are what I have growing in my garden (I have 19 species of bamboo in the garden, in only 3/4 acre) but most are 'clumping' species... sort of stay where they start from . However, most clumpers don't grow well in cooler climates, and most don't have perfectly straight culms. There are mail-order sources for bamboo all over the US, so finding it won't be a problem. I do have a few Phyllostachys species in my yard, but I have rhizome barriers around them to (I hope) keep them contained. Most bamboo looks great and is way underutilized.

Dave
I have some bamboo and also common switch cane. Both can be very invasive and need to be planted in an area where you can control the spread.
I know absotutely nothing about growing bamboo or cane. Find out when is the best time to plant and I will send you some roots.
Bud

[ Removed by member request. - Admin ]

Dave... I just saw Lois's post about my bamboo trellis and fencing that she saw when she was here... I get my bamboo from a neighbor in Black Mountain, who wants to get rid of about half an acre of it, so he can reclaim his yard. I'd think he'd be amenable to someone digging up new shoots since he wants it gone. Interested? If so, I'll call them. Might be a lot of work, but worth it and the trip. His grows to about 30' tall, and that larger size canes make great posts in my garden, and the smallert tops make good pickets.
-darius

Bud,
Any chance on me getting a rooting from you, email me, i have a few things to trade now.
Sandy

Dave -- Ran across these articles and thought you might be interested in reading them.

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,1272,FF.html

http://www.bamboosourcery.com/catalog.cfm?CFID=451168&CFTOKEN=51668208

Excellent information. Thanks for the hyperlinks Gayl - those articles are excellent.

I've decided on the Moso bamboo. Now I just need to find a supplier. Thanks again everyone!

Dave

Here is a link to the American Bamboo Society.

http://www.halcyon.com/abs/