Durability of a bamboo platform for a rock water feature?

[jimbo3]

Hi from Maryland,
I am in the process of building a Japanese style rock garden with a disappearing water fountain (the water seeps into a catch pan below ground and recirculated).
I was going to use bamboo as a platform to hold a rock display (65lbs.) and a rock looking sphere (old bowling ball) to flow the water.
Will the bamboo survive being in this constantly wet environment and keep supporting the weight of the display?
Thanks for all the info.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi jimbo3,
Nice project! Bamboo water and rock are a great combination.

By the look of the size of the bamboo in proportion to the rock fountain, there appears more than ample combined strength in the bamboo platform to hold the weight of the fountain, while allowing for the gradual loss in strength during the natural degradation of the bamboo over time.

The natural aging and color changes in the bamboo when it is in contact with water is an attractve aspect about using bamboo in a waterscape, but bamboo water features with flowing water can build up with algae, moss etc.
There are different points of view about whether, when or how to clean or keep water features free of algae.
This has to do with one's own personal taste.

Durability and longevity will depend on a number of things such as ...
- bamboo species type
- age and condition of bamboo from harvest to use
- climate, weather, temperature, rainfall, humidity
- different parts of the platform exposed to the above conditions
- type and strength of binding holding the platform together

If the cordage is organic, it could break down first before the bamboo has expired, and may need to be replaced. (depending on the quality of the bamboo)
There are different types of synthetic cord and bindings that can outlast the bamboo.
It is also possible to use a combination of synthetic (for function) and organic (for decoration and limited function)

As the bamboo platdorm relies on the sum of the parts to hold the fountain, the method and material used to bind the pieces together will definitely affect the longevity of the platform.

However the method made and life expectancy desired is also up to a persons taste.
Like as with floral decorations, the bamboo in a water feature could be used as fresh harvested green bamboo to give a temporary dash of living color, or made from select dried pieces.

Mark

[jimbo3]

Mark, I tied this together with jute twine and it was fine for a few days then I noticed the pieces were loose. I have since read at Japan Garden ,a UK site that it works better with WET twine and when dry will get tighter.Also they said to cut the pieces at the joints to keep as much water as possible from sitting in the pieces. Lessons learned often too late! After I put it all together I tested its strength by standing on it and it was like standing on concrete! This is my first project with bamboo and it has been fun and a great learning experience. By putting an ad on Craig's list I found a source locally.Thanks again. JIM

[ZenSeeker]

Hi jimbo3,

The natural aging and color changes in the bamboo when it is in contact with water is an attractve aspect about using bamboo in a waterscape, but bamboo water features with flowing water can build up with algae, moss etc.
There are different points of view about whether, when or how to clean or keep water features free of algae.
This has to do with one's own personal taste.


There are several ways to maintain and clean bamboo water fountains - for starters, using water treatments like Protec can make a significant difference. I recently wrote an article on how to maintain your water fountain: Check out my Tabletop Fountain (http://www.tabletopfountainblog.com) blog