Bamboo for product or construction use, Mid Atlantic States

[plantfinder]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum but am quickly developing a passion for Bamboo. I'm familiar with it as landscaping element but I'm wondering if there's any other usage for Bamboo varieties that can be grown in the Middle Atlantic States (Southern Pennsylvania in particular)? If so, what varieties and what uses might I look into? I know a lot of Bamboo products come from Southern Hemisphere varieties you can still grow some sturdy plants in this area and there must be some use for them.

Thanks

Mike

[CaroleMeckes]

Hi Mike,
The uses of bamboo are endless.
Mark grew many different species of bamboo when he lived in Pennsylvania.
If you look at some of his pictures in his gallery (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1) you will see many of the creations. Some of these creations were made from the bamboo that he grew in PA.

One of the most hardy of the bamboos is Phyllostachys nuda (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=511). While I personally have not had a chance to explore that species - it would be a good one for you to try to grow. He also grew it outside - not in a green house.

He grew and used and liked Phyllostachys dulces (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=591) when he was up north.

I do have a list of all the different bamboo that he grew in the Poconos.

Carole

[plantfinder]

Thanks Carole for the link. I really enjoyed the photos and am amazed by the variety and craftsmanship of what's in there.

I have a few acres and just wondered if there was any demand for Bamboo (that could be grown here) because of the utilitarian value of Bamboo which I'm just getting educated about, i.e fiber, flooring, charcoal, etc. I see most of what is being produced comes from the Far East. Other than seeing it grown around here for landscaping purposes I'm unaware of any other demand locally. Having caught the Bamboo bug and having some vacant land, I thought I'd inquire whether it was worth pursuing.

Thanks

Mike

[CaroleMeckes]

There is a lot of interest in bamboo and bamboo products these days.

True - many things marketed seem to come from the Far East where bamboo has grown for many, many years and has been part of the way of life for many people.

Marketing bamboo handicrafts that are personally made in the USA takes some time to first develop products and then comes the challenge (and fun) of learning to market them.

This site is here to help show examples and foster ideas.
It is up to each individual to carry forth, help to create the demand and try to bring the ideas to fruit.

Carole