Farming, is it worth it and more??

[Kingz]

Is there a market for farm size bamboo in the US. I'm trying to gather information if its worth to grow Bamboo in South AL for wholesale. Where would be the best place to look and is there any manufactures in the US that buys mid to large sums of bamboo and what type.

Thank You
Kingz

[CaroleMeckes]

Hi Kingz
Bear in mind that it takes a good number of years to produce lots of bamboo and that bamboo should not be harvested until the culms have had time to develop strength and that usually takes 3 - 5 years.

At the moment, I am not aware of any manufacturers in the US that buy mid to large sums of bamboo - but that could always change.

Growing bamboo on a large scale is also a time investment.
You might be on the lookout for groves that are already established that you could learn to harvest from.

Here is an event coming up in Hattiesburg, Louisiana on January 12, 2008 that you might consider attending:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=414&day=2008-1-12&c=1
Carole

[Kingz]

Thanks for the help, and yes, I understand that it’s a time investment. I have some extra land that will soon be harvested for pine and oak. I'm looking for something that has less then a 15-20 year range.


Anyone knows what species of bamboo that is used to make wood floors. ??

Thanks Kingz

[CaroleMeckes]

Anyone know what species of bamboo that is used to make wood floors. ??

Here are some pictures of moso (Phyllostachys edulis) being used for bamboo flooring:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/535/thumbs/20031228_038ab.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1739)(click on image)http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/502/thumbs/20031228_043a.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1740)(to see larger pic)http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/500/thumbs/20040209_087a.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1741)

[Kingz]

Well I send out a few e-mails to a few companies in the US that use Bamboo for commercial and industrial use in the US, I'm hoping to hear back from some of them in the next few weeks.

If I can find potential buyers with a small demand it might be worth it. Due to demand in 5-7 years may be up.

I don’t see bamboo as profitable income in the short run compared against pine an oak, but over the long run yes. Also environmentally I see bamboo a better option since currently the world is harvesting trees faster then they can be farmed.

I figure, if there is a potential buyers with a small demand, clear out 3 to 5 (might be even less) acres small lot, plant and see how they grow over the first 2 to 3 years and see if demand goes up. If demand goes up in the US and there is a markets, start planting out 30 to 40 acre sections every years and keep a few hundred acres in rotation. (But everything is still open, my plan if everything is good to start planting bamboo crops in 2009, planning planning planning)


As for seed for Phyllostachys Edulis, Moso, Phyllostachys Heterocycla Pubescens and Phyllostachys Bambusoides, Madake, Giant Timber Bamboo where would be a good place to purchase quality seeds from. I want to make sure I end of with the right seeds.


Thanks
Kingz

[CaroleMeckes]

It takes a lot longer to grow bamboo from seeds - I'd say you'd be better off starting with plants.
Carole

[sasa fool]

I see you are in Tampa but I'm not sure if that is where you intend to grow the bamboo? If so, it is my understanding that the climate in Tampa may not be suitable for commercial growth of the members of the Phyllostachys genus, they need colder winters to really do well, and you may want to investigate this before selecting the appropriate species to try. Tampa is hospitable for a number of tropical clumpers though so I would suggest that you investigate which clumpers are in demand for bamboo lumber and those that can take the occasional frost that Tampa may get.

Oops, I now see that you are planning on growing in south AL, which is ideal Phyllostachys country!

[charndannio]

I wish there were some place you could sell large quantities of 1.75" to 2.25" culms. I could furnish someone who needs them in large quantities all they want. I am fortunate to be right in the middle of many, many large groves I have access to. Maybe one day we will take China's lead and start using this wonderful plant more. charndannio

[Kingz]

sasa fool:
Yes I live in FL, but I have property in zone 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9b, 10, I am planning on planting in zone 7b-8a in AL.


As for seeds, whats the time frame on seeds, I will more then likely will set up a nursery on site then transplant to ground. From what I understand, best planting time is March for bamboo?, So my goal is to plant seeds in a nursery this year for 4,800 plants. then next year in March of 2009 or 2010 transplant to fields. Again I need to find GOOD Seeds.


I'm still doing my research, trying to find the best ground PH settings ect... Anyone knows the best spacing for these, I was planning on 5ft X 5ft Spacing so I could get about 1,750 plants per acre. Within 10-14 years I could have close to 48,000 plant rotating out a year on that lot alone if I can find buyers. I would divide the property into 7 lots.


any help will be much appreciated ;)

Thank You

[Kingz]

edit to above

(PS EDIT...) The main reason for wanting to plant seeds, is to keep my potential loss to a minimum if for some reason the bamboo market is just not here. I would like to promote the use of bamboo in the US, but the potential loss can be great.

This is the cost for just 1 acre set up not the 3 to 5 acres I'm Planning on for basic start up. Full land Clear $2.8k, Land Prep $1.9k, Alternative Pesticides $?, Logging $?, Maintaince $? Back up irrigation $2.7k, Seeds (or Plant) $?, One year temp nursery and supplies $2,4k ect......

Does anyone know what culms go for each in large quanties.

[sasa fool]

The problem with planting from seed is that you'll be limited to the species that have flowered and set seed and those species may not be the best for your purposes. The only timber appropriate species that I am aware of being available in seed that would do well in AL is Phyllostachys edulis. You should probably plan on 2-3 years for seed to field, then another 5-7 years before modest sustainable culm harvesting could begin.


You would surely be better off to determine which species are the best for your purposes and then find the most economical source for them. Some are available in liners for reasonable prices. Also, bare rhizome obtained at the proper time of year (Feb - Mar in the SE US) can also be an economical way to get started and would be faster than seedlings.

If you check out pole pricing on the internet you'll find that they command handsome prices but I suspect that proper culm curing on a commercial level takes skill, space and time! Most if not all imported poles are chemically treated as a part of the curing process. Top quality poles require skill in culm selection and curing.

Not claiming to be a wise man, I suspect that the potential for pulp bamboo in the US may well be the way to go. There are new bamboo chipboard products including plywood, engineered lumber, paper etc. Surely the demand for these products will grow quickly over the next 10 years and Phyllostachys rubromarginata is an ideal candidate for a variety of reasons.

[Bamabamboo]

Hi Kingz.....I'm wanting to do the same thing you are except I don't have the land......ggggrrrrr......I do however have access to field divisions of MOSO that would be perfect to get your acre started. I also have access to many other species that would be good for manufacturing and production.

I'm from Selma, AL but I'm currently living in Cullman, AL

Shoot me an email and we can talk about it......

bamabamboo@gardener.com

Cyrus

[Kingz]

Hi Kingz.....I'm wanting to do the same thing you are except I don't have the land......ggggrrrrr......I do however have access to field divisions of MOSO that would be perfect to get your acre started. I also have access to many other species that would be good for manufacturing and production.

I'm from Selma, AL but I'm currently living in Cullman, AL

Shoot me an email and we can talk about it......

bigbamboo@gardener.com

Cyrus

I sent you an e-mail from a hotmail account.

[Kingz]

Thanks Cyrus for the help last week. Hopefully the moso will take.

phase #1: Plant 15 to 20 root balls for testing. DONE
Phase #2: Plant 1000 mose seeds, test best germation system, Working on
next..



Im thinking about planting the seeds down here in FL in a green house, then transporting them in a few months to AL, it would be easier and cheaper to maintain a proper temp. for germation here, they are still getting cold spells from what I here.

hmm moving along, guess I got to get the land survay crew up there to start plotting off the sections. I have a few months but need get started on it.

[Bamabamboo]

It was a pleasure working with you on this project.
I know you'll have LOTS of success with the rootballs you obtained. For that matter, the rootballs we got from the same place only 4 weeks ago are already sending up shoots.....It was amazing to see shoots that soon after transplanting.
Keep us posted as to how your seeds are doing. Germanating them in Florida in a greenhouse is a great idea.....That should work great....

I would love to come down in a couple years to see your progress!!!!.....

Cyrus

[Kingz]

new root transplants should be water everyday correct, for how long and how much??

[Bamabamboo]

Nah, not everyday.....Maybe twice per week depending on the rainfall amounts....and rainfall has been plentiful here lately.
He probably doesn't need to water except maybe once per week....

[Kingz]

Just an update, we are finally moving forward after having problems with the transplant plants. The green house is now set up and running with room for over 2,000 pot plants and over 12,000 seeded plant to start with to start testing on seeds and growth rates. We just got are last shipment of seeds in and are now setting on 20,000 Fresh Moso seeds.

We have room for 1,500 individual seed plants in groups of 25, they are domed to control heat and humidity in each group. We have another 500, peat moss pots with 200 domed. Another set of tray planters to support seed spreading for over 4,000 seeds. We have more planters coming in to cover more seeds.

I plan on taking 10,000 seeds in groups of a few hundred and planting them in different spots on the land to see how they take.

(don’t ask how I got the seeds)

Currently putting together the test procedure for each group of plants since, I have to right out everything in detail since I live about 600miles from the plantation/grove. If anyone has anything they want to test out let me know and ill see if I can work it in there.

[cngodles]

Yeah, bamboo may be one of the fastest growing plants, but from seeds, that's a long wait, 10 years. So much can happen. If you start with live plants, you can get alot farther faster. They fill in quickly as well, and you can space them generously.

I'd do more than one species, as the flowering of one species can possibly kill it off, having to start over again.

I'd love to do what your doing, just don't have the land or the climate.

[R e x]

Bamboo is the future!!! Rawr!!!

[R e x]

Lol, whups. I forgot to say what I wanted to in my previous post. Has anyone heard about that lady here in the PNW that, not to long ago, discovered the formula for cloning bamboo?

[Bamabamboo]

Just an update, we are finally moving forward after having problems with the transplant plants. The green house is now set up and running with room for over 2,000 pot plants and over 12,000 seeded plant to start with to start testing on seeds and growth rates. We just got are last shipment of seeds in and are now setting on 20,000 Fresh Moso seeds.

We have room for 1,500 individual seed plants in groups of 25, they are domed to control heat and humidity in each group. We have another 500, peat moss pots with 200 domed. Another set of tray planters to support seed spreading for over 4,000 seeds. We have more planters coming in to cover more seeds.

I plan on taking 10,000 seeds in groups of a few hundred and planting them in different spots on the land to see how they take.

(don’t ask how I got the seeds)

Currently putting together the test procedure for each group of plants since, I have to right out everything in detail since I live about 600miles from the plantation/grove. If anyone has anything they want to test out let me know and ill see if I can work it in there.

Hey Man!...what happened to the transplants we got????.....Those were on the outskirt of the grove and were new growth.....you really should start to see some growth from those rootballs this year (NOW!)......
If the Rootballs are not producing by now, we can always get more (free)......If you are not getting any growth from the rhizomes I got for you, I want to make it right......you really should start seeing some growth.

Also, I have been in contact with Auburn University and they have expressed interest in utilizing the Bamboo in Camden (50+ acres). I have a meeting scheduled May 1st and then follow-up meetings at the university. This is starting to get interesting.....With the backing of a major university, we can get a jump-start on introducing Bamboo to the USA Market!!!!

Let me know if you want to get more MOSO....You paid me for Viable MOSO rhizomes.....if you didn't get that, I want to make it right...

Later,
Cyrus H. Bearden
bamabamboo@gardener.com

[cngodles]

Pictures Pictures Pictures! We would love to see pictures of the bamboo farm.