Name that bamboo

Here's a good list to keep you busy. http://www.bamboosourcery.com/bamboo.cfm

Here's another place with a long list, http://www.bambooplantation.com/files/price_list.php.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the links.

Got the barrier today at last, OMG that thing was heavy. 107lbs didn't sound that heavy, but trying to maneuver that in our trench was a nightmare. But we got it into place and I've taken tomorrow off to fill back in the trench. Hopefully that should be easier than the digging out part - just hope all my dirt didn't wash away this last week.

And for the record, 60mil plastic would take a piece of re-bar and a hammer to get through it. I know some bamboo rhizomes are tough, but I'm thinking this may have been overkill. Next time I may just go with the 30 or 40mil plastic instead. If nothing else it won't be so heavy and hard to work with. The 30" height seems to be good, though it's harder than I thought getting it at that 15 degree angle. End up with "ripples" all over the place.

Hopefully can wrap this up tomorrow - go harvest the bamboo this weekend depending on the weather.

This message was edited Jan 25, 2010 8:18 PM

Photos of the barrier installation.

Another shot.

And another.

The original bamboo looks dead, but I'm hoping it'll green back up. I still need to harvest another 30 or 40 bamboo before spring and I think it'll be done. Just a little bit left to fill in tomorrow.

All said and done, I think this is going to provide an excellent screen... and despite the hard labor, it'll be worth it. I'm glad we decided to install the barrier.

What dedication, that looks great!! If y'all have any time, feel free to come over and dig a barrier for my fence, I miss my bamboo now :)

That plastic would have been easier to deal with a hot hot day. LOL> Your project just doesn't have that fun to do look to it. You did a nice job on it and I'm sure in a few years it will be very unique for your area especially.

I am exhausted just looking at those photos. Good job!

(...and did you see that soil???? It is beautiful and I am so jealous.)

Thanks everyone. I can't wait to get the bamboo in the ground, and hopefully I can experiment with some new varieties.

I've still got maybe 20-30 ft left of barrier - so I may try and put another small group somewhere else. For now, I've about had my share of digging though.

I think my layers of soil were: Black top soil filled with endless roots, followed by a white sand, then a yellow sand, and then a stream bed of rocks. Digging through that last part was interesting to say the least.

Dear Kale, THANX for sharing. We all have big-idea projects to share in our gardens. I need to do the same type of barrier for the 250' of privacy fences around us. You forgot to tell us how much $ you paid for that plastic?
As you can see Bamboo has buds at each joint. You can cut it off to three feet and the buds will come alive so the stubs will throw up branches and the runners from the crown below ground will grow up beside them. If it's not to late pull up the plastic to 6" above ground. Nature finds a way - just watch Jurasic Park movie to get the message.

This first year I recommend growing morning glories next to the bamboo. They won't mind the companinonship. I have lots of extra Moon Vine seed and Heavenly Blue seed, if you want some just D-mail me.

Morning glories or moon vine would look beautiful there - would be a nice filler.

In many places the plastic did end up more than 4" above ground, though in some places it's rather close - I'm def. going to have to keep an eye on it.

The barrier was $200 for what was well over 130' of rhizome barrier. The plastic, as I noted, was also a great deal thicker than I imagined. 30-40mil would have probably been fine for this smaller bamboo. It would have been hard for me to break the plastic with my shovel, even with a good whack. Still, no harm with extra thickness I suppose - bamboo does find a way as you said. The weight was the only real downside.

This message was edited Feb 7, 2010 2:42 PM

Another shot

I can't wait until everything's growing again in the backyard. Once the bananas and all get going again, the bamboo is going to be a wonderful backdrop to it all. Victoria's already promised to help me put in more color this year. I tend to be a green-a-holic.

This message was edited Feb 7, 2010 2:43 PM

just checking in to see if you had any updated pics of your bamboo fence line?

Jan

Hi Jan,

I'll snap some photos soon and post them. It's the third year now of the bamboo growing in the spring, so it's culming quite actively this year. It's gotten pretty thick in places and hasn't escaped (yet). I'll post some photos as soon as I can.

can't wait to see your fence line of bamboo.

Jan