Need Ideas - for excess bamboo

[kthinton]

I moved into my house in August of 2003, there was a bamboo plant in a pot (so I thought) out in my backyard. The plant had maybe 7-10 stalks in it, and a lot of leaves, so the plant was HUGE. I know nothing about bamboo. So imagine my surprise one March morning when I went out back and all of a sudden out of NO WHERE, there were about 20-30 4ft stalks. I was SHOCKED. So the next day, I looked up information on the internet and found out that the rapid growth is normal and you all know the rest. Well, my son and his friend broke all of the stalks very early, and I didn't think much else about it. Now, this year, they all grew. I have SO many! I have cut some down and I am going to cut the rest, but I definetly don't want it to go to waste. It is beautiful. I have no idea what species I have, but I will try to take some pics and post them so you guys can tell me. I thought about doing some kind of crafts with a couple stalks, but I know I don't have time, energy, or tools this year to use it all. Does anyone know of a place that would be willing to purchase this? If I do find someone locally here, what kind of price does bamboo bring? I know that every year, I am going to be dealing with this, so I thought I would try to find something. I appreciate ANY advice.

By the way, the stalks are close to an inch in diameter and are probably about 10-15ft tall. (I am just guessing, but they are VERY tall)

[joao paulo valverde]

hi, im from brazil and i dont know where you can take the bamboo.
but i make box with bamboo is just to cut the middle of bamboo,
you can find in google something you can do with the bamboo.
im sorry about my english, i hope you can understand me..
good lucky

joao paulo valverde

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Joao,
Do you have any photos of your bamboo work?
You can upload them to the Bamboo Arts and Craft Gallery (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/index.php) or you can upload pics with your post

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Hi kthinton, how are you doing with your bamboo?

I am only guessing that your bamboo could be a Phyllostachys species (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=502) (see pics at Gallery Bamboo Flora) as this is the main Genus of taller bamboo for colder climates.

The shoots are also edible when they first emerge, so this is one way to use some of your bamboo.

~ Mark

[kthinton]

Hi Mark,

Well, my bamboo is still there. This summer I have been so busy, so I haven't had anytime to do anything with it. We cut some of it down earlier in the summer and it is just sitting in a pile. It is beautiful. The rest is still a jungle in my back yard....

Thanks for your interest!! I don't know what I am going to do with it, and all the rest of the years it is going to keep growing. I am scared... : )

[ShmuBamboo]

No new posts on this for over a year???? I presume that the Bamboo Monster devoured the yard and ate the entire family! ;)

Sad that the poor bamboos have such a bad rep. People come here and see my bamboo and frown. So many locals think that they will take over the place (over 100 acres?) and that they are bad. I have to re-educate them. We have far worse problems here with invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, scotch broom, English hawthorne and a half dozen others. We have to spray horrible stuff on them like Roundup, Garlon, Crossbow, 2-4D, etc. to keep them under control.

The bamboo planted here many years ago has pretty much stayed put until now. Recently the Bamboo Monster's friend (namely, ME!) has been busy dividing, transplanting and propagating them all over the property here into beautiful displays and such. I have had to hardscape this place, which has been quite a challange. My girlfriend has a brown thumb. Bamboos are great for her to 'nurture' (meaning 'ignore').