FARMING BAMBOO Increase Farm Income by Growing Bamboo Daphne Lewis and Carol Miles“The most useful service we can render a culture is to add a new plant to its agriculture.” Thomas Jefferson Quotation borrowed with gratitude from The Book of Bamboo by David Farrelly, Sierra Club Books, San Francisco 1984 SCIENTIFICHLLUSTRATOR Megan Ems. Megan drew the tenia drvsings fom specimens taken from the Canterbury Hlenon Groves in Kirkland, Washington State, used for data by the shor. She drew the landscape drawings following sketches by the author. "Mean lives in Seat, Washington, USA. Summertown, Teanessee, where he is running performance tals on over 200 species and forms of texperate barsboos. Adam went trough the fist edition of this book werd by word footte by footnote noting eror in sed. Daphne Levis Few to Tennesse in January 2008 and spent thee fl days wilh Adam comeing line ater line and page ater page. Adam Turtle hs the ost complete Bamboo library inthe United States He canbe reached at bambooconstant a0. comt FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS. Texas Bamboo Society Chapter of the American Bamboo Society (Carole Malone Mockes and the late Herb Hillery of Austin, Texas, were emphatic thatthe Texas Bamboo Society should support work of his kind. The ‘Texas Bamboo Society helped finance Bamboo for Shoots & Poles, a booklet, in 1996, This booklet became the ass for the Enyelapediasetion of Farming Bamboo. ‘American Bamboo Society In 1997 the Board ofthe American Bamboo Society granted substantial sum of ‘money to this book. Some ofthe funds went ote usar, Megan ms. Northern Califomia Chapter ofthe American Bamboo Society ‘With nudging fom Ned Jaquith, gut speaker, end Dal Do Boot, president ‘his Chapter ranted funds in pring 2001 Tor an editor and book designer, Daphne B. Lewis pnd co ip dst Dr. Carol Mies Washington State University Extension Agricultural Systems nilese@vsuedyFOREWORD ‘amboo since 1880. Asa landscape designer, realized bamboe's beauty and lity in 1980, a century later. "Oth bamboo produces both food and wood!” Suddenly and without taking, T joined the American ‘Bamboo Society (ABS) In 1981 I started the Pacific Northwest Chapter ofthe ABS. In 19891 waste catalyst for ‘Starting the Northeast Chapter. Bamboo has the ability to atacand fascinate many peopl, jus sit id me. AA gneiss a, nar oe Unilin be coed i tant of In 1982 our new Pacific Nonthest bamboo chapter had is fst both a a garden event. Young mothers waked by looked at our bamboo ina pt and sid, I's very prety... but wll it grow ous?” Middleaged men tuned fay and sid “planted it once and took 20 years o get rid oT Ht” I became ected about the public's aitude toward bamboo aller working that boot! In the 1980s bamboo was not found in museis. Nuserymen sad, “You can't make a living selling bamboo! Nobody would buy takes over the yar.” In 1986 I docided to work fo make bunboo availabe tothe general tardening publi, | started a bamboo real garden center in Reimond, Washington. In 1983 my son, Doug Lewis, {ecied fo work to make bamboo a standerd wood and fiber product in the United States. He left for Vietnam ‘design, bud and operate a bambofloring factory. In 1995 [tamed the bamboo garden ceater over to my business parines and wondered whet my next Bamboo sep would be. {dacded that T would work to introduce bamboo as farm crop. The writing of this book “Farming Bamboo’ isthe frst step. This boo is based on my experience Carol's expense es the Westington State University Agricultural Systems Extenson Specialist, on information ‘gathered fom members ofthe ABS, and from bamboo lovers around the world pticpting in the intemet bamboo ‘iseusion ists. In other words, this book is baad on personal experiences and opinins but its not based on years ‘of experience farming bamboo, Neither is it based on versity research. Those wil ome as bamboo i planted and ‘produced on farms inthe United Stats, 1am rare among plat people in that Ihave not owned a garden since I became interested in bamboo; Ihave ‘owned and managed bamboo nursery, mansged 2 mature grove of timber bamboo, and talked with hundreds of bamboo exthusiats [listened when my fiends in the ABS made presentations and [collected information fom the fncemet bantoo discussion iste hat the ABS suppocs and to which I enthusiastically belong. ‘My thanks goto the many bambuscrs who share she vison of bamboo a food, fodder, woot fiber and general nar of the ert with is evergreen leaves and soll-holding oot spstoms. These people are creating the ground ‘wel of public bamboo awarenes that i oocring nationwide. The Texas Capie ofthe ABS has been especially Supportive of promoting bamboo inthe United Sats. Special thanks go to: Carol Miles, Ph.D., Washington State University Agricultural Systems Extension Specialist, the fist university faculty wes ofthe Mississippi o promote bamfon Heike Mile ner f Calendula Horticultural Books and husband of Carol who managed the process and finaness ofthe book with alight yet fim hand, Richard Haubyich, founder of ABS in 1979, who began and ‘ontibted greatly tothe ABS Joumal, Species Source List, and Nevslter. have flied on his scholarship since Joined the ADS in 1981 and am grateful that he agreed to edit this book for accuracy and grammer. Experts in Taamboo wlio have helped me immensely with information and editing are Adam anl Sue Turtle, Ned Jaquith, Gib Cooper, Jim Clever, Rick Valley, Wade Bennet, Anne Schwarz, and. Mike Brondi. Final thinks’ and acknowicigement goto my daugher, Renee Lewis, for her work in the erly writing af this book Pleas enjoy this book and grow bamboo. Daphne Lewis, June, 2001In the United States, univers scientists have very litle information regarding how to grow and se bamboo. ‘The people who know the most about bamboo ae the growers. oneal. when a university sci contbutes toa toot sbout crop previction and utlizaion, the information that x conrbuted comes from yeas of esearch In the ‘ase of bamboo, thre i very litle research inthis cour fo at this book. This book is based on what we have fbverved and wiat we think we know: We hive decided to publish it because new growers around the county ae ‘ooking fr information aboot bamboo. We view this book asa challenge to other scientists and to growers around the county. Inthe next $ fo 10 yeas, we expect thereto be much more information avaliable and we wil ether revise this ok or you wll write pour own, Consider this book as starting pont and it sour great hope that in he Sears to come inany oer scents and growers will be invesuaing the issues and developing new and beter swe than what is presented here Carol Miles, September 2008 2 3 4 5 g 4 a ‘Chapter 4 Introduction... _ ‘Bamboo farming in the United States. Bamboo uses worldwide “The future of bamboo in the United States Is bamboo a native plant? Wil bamboo become invasive? Research needs References. Chapter 2 Botanical Classification of Bamboo. Botanical taxonomy Bamboo isa grass. Naming of bamboo. Howto identity bamboo ‘The game of denttication References. Chapter 3 ‘Site Seloction. Selecting a st. Pranning References. Chapter 4 Sources of Bamboo Plants. ‘On the web. Nurseries, Contract growers. Tissue eutue. Starr plans. Seeds ig your own Digaing bamboo. Tools fr digging ‘Transporting large bamboo plans. ‘Transplant beds References. Chapter § Planting Bamboo. Pianting Number of pians per ace ‘Solid blocks or wide rows? Grove establishment References. ‘Chapter 6 "Soil and Nutrition, a Sol pl Organic mater Mule Nutenis and fertizer Dp you have a water ight? Imigation in the fist through third years, Iwigation inthe fourth and fth years.Inrigation in the sich through ninth years. Methods of irgation References. ‘Chapter 8 Pest Manat "Weed contol. Rodent conta, chapter 9 How i Control Bamboo ethos contol running bamboos Metods of ing bamboo Chapter 10. Harvesting Bamboo Shoots arvesing tos : Selecting thet or haves on averting crests inthe grove ‘Sonmon hanesting misses i Harvest sequence ta Prepping he bamboo saci i Neasunng shoot es 5 75 ‘Taming fe gov 76 apa 1 Timing Renovating a row & Harting Bamboo Poe. “ini Renovating aad grove Harvesting poles. Harvest season Selig pols io at ‘Yield of temboo poles Howto ct pas ering poles 82 Retwonoen 33, Chapter 12, Livestock Fodder. a Forage ee Siage 8 References 28 chapter 12° Martting Bamiboo Shoots. 7 Buyers. a Prod! iabiiynsurnce. 20 Salestmareetag ads as a 0 Sample mforraton hoot 2 se “8 = 5 = se = 6 0 e g i Baraaegasaaes Sample recipe card a References. ‘Chapter 14. Storing and Using Bamboo Shoots. Storage. 'Nutional cortent of bamboo shoots Cooking Culm leaves: Freezing Drying. Bamboo shoo recipes. References. Chapter 18 Encyclopedia ‘Scientific names. ° Pant introduction number. 108 Common names. 7 107 Varieties 108 Size a S08 ‘Typical Nonthwest HEM onsen 108 SHOOES : 108 Poles “ Yield : 410 Flowering... 110 Introduction to Phytlostachys. 110 Phyllostachys angusta i Phyllostechys arcana... 113 Phyllostachys atrovaginata 115 Phyllostechys eure... 417 Phyllostachys aureosvicaia 124 Phyllostachys bambusoiss. 127 Phyllostechys bisseti... 133 Phyllostachys mannil Decor’. 135 Phyllostachys dl... 197 Phyllostachys elegans 159 Phyllostachys flexuosa, 7 141 Phyllostachys glauca 144 Phyllostachys nigra ‘Henan’. 148 Phyllostachys heteroctede 7 i 182 Phyllostachys edulis... . 185 Phyllostachys iidescens.. 166 Phyllostachys makina. : 167 Phyllostachys meyer... = 168 Phyllostachys nidulani.. 7 x 171 Phyllostachys nigra... i 473 Phyllostachys Md 0 17 Phyllostachys platygiossa. 179 Phyllostachys pr@000% ns 180 Phyllostachys rubromarginata, 181 Phyllostachys vidglaucescens 183 Phyllostachys vil... Phyllostachys vive. Bibliography | ‘American Bamboo Society Figures 4-1 Bamboo on River Bank. oo : 5 2-4, Botanical Classiicaton of Bamboo. io 22 Moso seeding 4 23. Three Types of Leal 4 24 A Typical Rhizomataus Grass.. 12 2.5. Cross Section Looking Down: 2 28 Gross Section of Culm Base... 13 27 Tilering Culm. 4 28 Cuimieatto P. nigra. _ 341 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. 22 32. Bamboo in Pastures. = 33. Bamboo on Edges o Farm. 23 3.4 Bamboo On Upper Eench 24 25 Daity Wastewater Management 25 441 Tools for Digging 32 8:1 Howto Ptant Bamboo 7 37 5.2 Grovth Stages. 7 39‘53 Planting Pattems and Number of Plants per are, ‘4 Years One and Two. 55 Years Three and Four 58 Years Five Through Nine 5:7 Years Ten and Beyond. 8-1 Bamboo Spider Mites 8-2 Laat Damage from Spider Nites 8.3 Predatory Mite 841 Annual Growth Cycie of Bamboo. 8.2. Control Bamboo through Proper Siting 410-4 Moso grove in eary 1900 10:2 Harvesting Shoots in Taiwan. 40:3 Bamboo Shoots Harvested by Wade Bennett 10-4 Comparing Shoots for Edbity, 1241 Beet Cow Eats Bamboo 1344 Bamboo Shoots in Melbourme, Australia ‘4-1 Bamboo shoots sliced lengthwise. 44:2 A Tender Bamboo Shoot i Beauti 143 Bamboo Sir Fry Tables 4-4. Top Thity Farm Crops 21 Genera of Bamboo 7-1. Average Precipitation i 10-1 Comparison of Young (Marketable) Shoots & Old Ones. Segaganzsazazes 7 B CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ince the eatly 1900s, numerous Americans have shared a vision that bamboo would become a ‘mainstream food and fier crop in the United Sates. Since 1910, people have devoted much time ‘and effort to estabisn bamboo plantings in thelr areas, but in no case cht a planting Become 8 commercial bamboo farm for shoots and poles. inthe Pacific Northwest, as In many other areas of the ‘country, bamboo was planted for landseaping and for nursery stock. Starting In the early 1990's, individuals began harvesting some ofthese landscape plantings for shoots and poles. By the mid 1900s 3 {ow people had planted bamboo speciicaly for shoot and pole production, and in 2001. ane of these farmers began marketing flesh bamboo shoots in Seattle, Washington. Currently, the level of bamboo ‘production is small, but a lige interest in fresh, local, and averse crops Keeps ale the hope that one day ‘bamboo shoots willbe @ common crop inthe region. ‘Bamboo Farming inthe United States Bamboo was likely introduced info the United States and the Pacific Northwest region by Asian immigrants more than a hundred years ago. In the early 1900s, plant collectors and sciensta working with the United States Department of Agrcuture (USDA) estabished bamboo plantings in the Southeastern United States. USDA interes in and support for bamboo research peaked inthe mis- 1900s, and was then ‘abandoned. Ted Meredith (1998), a bamboo author in Kirdand, Washington, summarize the waxing and ‘waning interest in bamboo in the United States when he wrote the folowing letter to a bamboo email ‘rou “From 1898 through 1875, trough the efforts of plant explorers and researchers inthe USDA, educational Insitutions, and other groups inthe public and private sector, hundreds of efferent bamboos” fram around the world were introduced to America under the assumplion that bamboo could be a viable commercial cop in the United States and that a bamboo culture could be realzed, Regrettably, though the goal Seemed near, the hope that bamboo would become a widely planted crop never Occurred. In. 1965, Support for large-scale bamboo research ceased. In 1975, the USDA ceased even its marginal plant introduction program. For supporters of bamboo, this was the bleakest of periods. The work of tee {quarters of 8 century was seemingly negated and lost forever. In 1978, the American Bamboo Society ‘was formed, and through the vision and efforts ofits founding members, and of thase who came later, bamboo is seeing a much tighter day indeed, The early plant explorers and researchers, three quarters ‘of a century ago, believed that an agriculturalcommercial connection was a Key element in establishing & bamboo cute in America. Many of us continue to believe tht ths is a fundamental principle In Volume 41, Number 1, page 1 of the ABS Journal, bamboo utifzation is included in the frst of the Society's cbjectves. i'has taken a quarter of a century to finaly, again, begin estabishing the cooperate {lationship among the public and private sectors, educational insbuitons, and bamboo proponents. Once this relationship is again established somewhere, it wil provide the tempiate, impetus, and legitimacy for its establishment elsewhere” Bamboo Uses Worldwide ‘Bamboo has been a unique and valuable asset in many cultures. Some societies have depended oni for ‘centuries, and in some cases milennia. Bamboo has been used to produce food (shoots), limber (poles). 4nd fodder (leaves). In Asia, the uses for bamboo range from the manufacture of fine wning paper tothe rang of sturdy scaffolding for bulding skyscrapers. In regions ofthe word where large-sized bamboo Watletes occur naturally, thick-walled poles are Used fo constuct houses and are the raw material used In ‘he manufacture of paper and laminated flooring. Thin-walled species are used fo weave mats for walls, {elias and floors, and for pressing to form mat board. In Costa Rica and other counties in Central and South America, bamboo is cut into lath and used to construct walls for houses. The inlerwoven tizomes ‘The eer of ares of amc invoduced into the Untod States up to 675 was probably sight estan 10 1Introduction and roots produced by a grove of bamboo help to protect the sol from water and wind erosion, Bamboo ‘groves provide a habitat for wll, and some animals ike the Giant Panda depend parialy or completely ‘on bamboo for food and habitat Bamiboo can grow quicky if I is well managed. Ite a long-term perennial crop when harvested in Sustainable fashion. Good management including proper harvesting isthe Key fo bamboo's potential to ‘contribute to sustainable development woriiwide. The muitiple uses of bamboo as a food and fiber source hhave atracted enthusiasts, experts, and researchers throughout history New people are atacted to this Versatile crop because of ts potential to fll so many needs, ‘The Future of Bamboo in the United States Mary members of the American Bamboo Society (ABS) are working to integrate bamboo into the ‘American economy. in the twenty-first century, one of the goals of the ABS is to establish bamboo as 2 mainstream crop in American agriculture and in the wood and ber industry, The vision i that bamboo wil ‘become established as an agricultural crop throughout regions ofthe United States where the climate Is Suitable. Bamboo shoots willbe harvested in the spring as surely as strawberries onthe fourth of duly and Pumpkins inthe fall. Fresh bamboo shoots wil be avaliable in local markets during shoot season, while {razen bamboo shoots wil be marketed the rest ofthe year. Farmers wo plant perennial crops on @ ‘diversified ferm wil consider bamboo along with other perennial eraps such as fruit and nul trees, berry bushes and vines ‘Bamboo can be grown to produce food and poles, to diversity farm operations, to spread labor needs over the year, and, of course, to increase farm income. Shoots are harvested in the spring and poles are harvested in summer andior late winter. Leaves ftom harvested poles can be fed to livestock or made into silage. Bamboo can serve other purposes on the farm in addition to those of a cash crop. Bamboo groves Can screen the farm from roads and neighbors, provide shade for pastures and farm buildings, end catch ust. It can thereby minimize the impact of farm operations on neighbors. Bamboo groves can protect Fiparian zones by capturing runoff that caries excess fertzer and manure from pastures, flds and Paddocks. The interwoven rhizome and root system can hold soll and organic debris, preventing them ‘rom entering streams and ponds. Farmlands subject to seasonal ooding can be planted wth bamboo to ‘prevent soil erosion and crop loss, Bamboo is an evergreen plant so is landscape and envronmental functions continue throughout the year. ‘Bamboo has the potential o be a versatile wood and fiber crop inthe United States, Farming bamboo can Feduce the pressure to cut natural forests worldwide, and harvested bamboo canes can he used for poles, ‘charcoal, paper pulp, rayon, and laminated wood products including plyboo and composites‘ Many !umber, fiber. paper and rayon products are made ftom recycled fibers plus a small amount of vigin ibe, ‘These virgin fbers could be produced from bamboo to replace the virgin ber that is curently harvested ‘rom national and state forestlands in the United States. In Inia, has been estimated that 67% of the \igin fiber used for pulp production used to come from bamboo (Seth 1971), Current, India appears to {get about 18% of its pulp from bamboo, China on the other hand makes at least some of is paper 100% from bamboo, In 1919, the USDA began a collection and evaluation of bamboo varieties at what is curently the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, n Savannah, Georgia. This collecion contained as many as 70 accessions and Included 26 species (Galloway’ 1928). Experiments conducted at this stalion from 1056 to 1977 demonstrated that large ‘numbers of bamboo poles could be harvested numerous times from a single planting following optimal regrowth cycles (Adamson et al. 1978). This work llusvated the influence of harvesting techniques Including timing of reharvesting on yield, lifespan and sustainabilty of the bamboo grove. Once the ‘bamboo grove is established and properly managed. a twent-foot wide strip ean be clear-cut each yearn five to ten year rotation, depending on bamboo species and the climate zone. it bamboo is clear-cut {rom large areas and mizomes are extensively damaged, orf bamboo is harvested too soon after a clear- {cut-style harvest, the bamboo is slow to regrow and wil be less productive over the long term, ‘Bamboo can be grown as a wood and fiber crop in the United States by various models, including: 2 ee | Farming Bamboo 4. A manufacturer buys poles and splits from individual farmers. Bamboo Hardwoods, Ine. is an example ofthis model. The factory, located in Vietnam, buys its sold poles (tam vong in Vietnamese) fom individual farmers. The factory was sold to Bamboo Technologies in 2005. Bamboo Techrologies ‘manufactures prefabricated houses wit ICC cerifed poles harvested and treated in Vietnam, 2. A manufacturer owns and manages its own plantations. In the 1980s and 1990s, James Rive, Boise Cascade and Georgia Pacific developed fast-growing poplars for paper pulp production. They Planted thousands of aeres of poplars on land they owed. This a valid model for growing bamivoo as & Aber crop. 3. A manufacturer contracts with and assists independent land owners. James River, Boise Cascade and Georgia Pacific provided technical assistance, starter plants and a contract to bay seven to ‘ine-year-ld poplar ogs from small landowners. A large company working i @ friendly manner wth mary ‘small landholders to produce reliable quantiies of poles is an excellent model for growing bamboo for ‘ber and lumber. 4. Agencies own or manage lands. Local and public agencies have the dificut and expensive ‘ask of lspersing sewage wastewater and solids. These agencies could grow large tracts of bamboo as a Biofiter to convert wastewater and solids to pulp, or they could contract to dispose of their Waste with other agencies that grow bamboo in plantations. Is Bamboo a Native Plant? ‘There are three bamboos native tothe United States, Aruninaria gigantea, A. gigantea ssp. Tecta and A ‘appatechiana ® None of these Arundinara has the potential to be used as an agricultural shoot are pole {top because their maximum diameter is one Inch. Nether occurs inthe Pacific Northwest, the fegon for which this book is written. Most bamboo varieties that are suitable for shool and pole production in the Pcie Northwest are in the genus Phyllostachys, which is native to China. Agricultural bamboo ls Not. ‘ative just asthe top thirty farm crops in Washington State are non-native. These non-native crops include ‘apples, whest, potatoes, sweet com, mint, dry beans and lettuce (Table 1) Of the top thity exope, only Strawberries (Fragara) and Douglas fr (Pseudotsuga) Christmas trees are derived from a genus nave to Washington State et the Evcliion of Cane in Norn America” sry Tilt, Deparment of Ecclogy, Evohon, and Orginal Bias Se Urversty Ames loa 50011-1020, Bamboo Magasin le Arrcan Baro Soc, Occ 2006Introduction ‘Table 1-1. Top tity farm crops, ranked by value, produced in Washington (NASS 2001), fame amy Nate! Rank Common Scientific ___Common Scientific _Exotle Origin 7 Rpple Malus domastea Rose Rosaceae Exobe Wesiern Asia 2 Wheat ——‘Ticum acstiwmGrass Poacese——Exole Euasia 3 Potato Solanum Nighshade Solanaceae ExoicPe, Bola, Mexico tuberosum 4 Hay Festuca spp. Grass Poaceae —=Exale Europe, Mice Eas 5 Swoetcheny Prunus vim Rose --Rosacese-—«~ExaieGaucasus, ran, Europe, Neth aca 6 Grape —=—Viis atrusca Grape Vfacege Exotic Southwest Cospan Sea 7 Pear Pyruscommunis Rose ‘Rosaceae -—«~Exais._Weslem Asa, Caspian Sea 8 Hoos Humuius upulus Hemp Cannabnaceae Exotic Nother Europe 9 Sweetcom Zea. maysGress Poaceae Exohe. Mexeo, South America Secchorata 10° Barley _—‘orcoum vulgare Grass Powceae —-—«Exalle Westen Asi, North ica 11 Ghismas tee Pinus pp, AblesPrne, Fk Pnaceae Native BC, WA, OR, CA, ID 42 Onion Atlumeepe Ly ‘Amarlitacese Exo ran, Baluchistan, ‘Nohansian 19° Asparegus Asparogus iy Lutcoae ——Exote ‘Souther Europe, West & ofenala Cental Asia, North ica 14 Gisincom Zoamays ——-Grass_-—«Poeceae Exotic Meni, Sou America 1 Stage com Zoamays -Grass_-—«~Pooceee——«~Exallc_‘Mexico, South America 16 Min Mentha sop. Mint—=—“Lamacese ‘Exotic Conta 8 Souther Europe 17 Ganot ——Daveus carota Parsley UmbelifergeExoic Europe 18 Suparbest Bete wipers Gooseloat Chenopoctacese Exallc Coastal Southern & ‘Wester Europe, Noth Area sia 19 RedRaspbenyRubus deeus Rose —«Rasacese «Exo Europe 120 Bluegrass Poapratensis Grass Poaceae Exotic Eurasia, North Aca seed let Havlage ‘Festcaspp. Grass ‘Paces ©——=—=Exobe Europe, Middle East 22 Greenpea Psumsatium Pea -Fabaceeo Exot Southern Europe 23 Peach” Prunuspersca Rose ‘Rasaceue——Exole China 24 fafa seed Modcago catia Pea Fabacese ——-Exolc Caspian Sea [25 Mustroom —Agarcus MUsivoom — CarpophorusExote Europe bnapons 25 Lent ——Lensculais Pea = Fabacese——Exole Turkey, Syl ran, ran 27 Drybean Phaseolus Pea_-—«*Fabaceae ——~Exolc Cental and South gers America 28 Bussey —Vacohium ‘Heather Ecaoose ——Exolic_North America 29 rypees —Prsumsatium Pea —-—~Faboceae Exot Southem Europe 50 Stanbery roger Rose ——-Rasaceao ‘Native Nth & South America vrgiane tna WA INA Bamboo —Pryostachye Grass Poacese———Exole Southeastem China [pp Farming Bamboo ‘Some species of bamboo could be used to stablize stream banks, reduce erosion, and provide valdife habitat along waterways. Arundinaria giganfee and A. gigantea ssp. tecta come to mind as perfect fortis. They also provide excelent winter cover and pasture for wildlife and livestock. There is, however, 2 {general feeling in the Urited States that non-native species should nt be used for riparian and restoration plantings, and that such plantings should only provide environmental benefits and not economic benefits fo the farmers or landowners who are expected to plant and maintain them. Al the Issaquah fish hatchery In Washington State, tere is a grove of henon bamboo that was planted in 1975 nest tothe riverbank (Figure 1-1), The grove is now well established - culms are two to three inches in diameter and forty feet {all (Kugen, 2004) The grove has spread to cover a hundred feet along the riverbank and is about fiteen to twenty feet wide. The bordering lavm is mowed to contol shoots. The bamboo has not spread across the stream, which is one foot deep and thty to forty feet wide, The shizomes provide very good stabilly to the sandy riverbank and protect the bank from erosion. This bamboo planing provides. good fish and willfe habitat. Such plarings should be evaluated for their contributions to their ecosystem and not ‘evaluated solely based on thelr native or non-native status. The sentiment that only native plants should be planted along stream banks should be revisited to determine which crops can contribute both to fish habitat and sol protection while sustaining farmers financially ‘taileton and shang of water ear rund at), lrmecayacacet vse wh isn ranang down ote ‘th pep placed along the bark fa slabzaton, however eroscn hes accurtes above he norap, he ole exposed rosin and he aon provides no shading of wa gh). {a farm crop, bamboo is kinder to fish than most other fd crops that leave bare soll exposed to rain ‘nd sun. Runoft from bare fields carries si to adjacent streams. Streams adjacent to row crops, pastures, ‘nd common perennial crops are exposed to full sun whereas streams adjacent to bamboo groves are ‘shaded, Bamboo allows farmers to work ther tradtional farmlands while protecting streams. Pianting bamboo onthe farm can be a winivin solution tothe conflict between farmer and fish, and landowner and ‘conservationist. Will Bamboo Become invasive? is concem that bamboo planted as a farm crop wil invade and endanger natural ecosystems and @ serious weed. Concermed ciizens and agency representatives often categorize bamboo as Non-native weeds such as blackbery, spartina grass and purple loosestife. They theorize that ‘il take over native wetlands, It's important to Keep in mind that bamboo was fst planted in ‘Oregon and Washington more than a hundred years ago, about the same time as blackberry. To 3, bamboo has only bean found in afew cases n vetlands, riparian zones, of @ natural forest i the In one case, the variety hanan was found to have maved from a stream bank to an afea via flooding (Valley 2003) ‘ates in the Seal area, where bamboo has been cited as a weed In natural ecosystems, 5Introduction bamboo nursery owners and a local bamboo expert have shown that the plants in question were not ‘bamboo at all but Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), In only hwo casee was bamboo found, ‘and in both cases a dwart Japanese bamboo species had spread slow) from a landscape planting into ‘mowed areas of 3 roadside ditch but had not spread into unmowed areas (Wade Bennet, personal ‘communication). The bamboo in the fist case was Sasa palmata, the largest of the Japanese dwarf ‘bamboos. and the bamboo in the second case was @ Pleoblastue species. Nether of these bamboos is ‘an agricultural bamboo planted for shoots and poles. \Will Bamboo Become a Weed? ‘Weeds are plants in the wrong place at the wrong time. In other words, weeds are plants that interfere ‘wth the management objectives for a given area of land ata given point in tie. Several Key elements ‘make some species of plans prone to becoming weeds. + Most weeds flower every year and produce large numbers of seeds that remain viable in the sil {or ten to twenty years. Bamboo spaces that are best sulted to pole and shoot production flower ‘once every tity to a hundred years. Many of these flowers do not produce seeds, just empty hulls. Those flowers that do produce viable seeds produce ones that are viable for only a few ‘months Most weeds produce seeds that have efficient dispersal systoms. lackberies are eaten by many ‘animals and the seeds spread when the animals defecate. Other weeds such as dandelions a Spread by wind, Bamboo seeds fall fo the ground and germinate under the mther plant. They ‘tend to fal during eur dry season and cannot survive the drought + Most weeds are adapted to full sun. Only a few weeds such 5 English iy and holly can reproduce and grow in {ul shade. All Phyllostachys bamboos need sun to survive and thrive, In the Paciic Northwest, conifers, maples and alders are taller than the tallest Phyllostachys and their shade prevents these bamboos from spreading into native forests. Many weeds can survive periods of drought or flooding. Native plants and such exotics as Himalayan blackberries thrive inthe Pacific Northwest because they are well sulted tothe rainfall, pattem in the region ~ dry summers and wet winters. In contrast, most bamboo species are ‘Adapted to wet summers and dry winters. Bamboo grows best In our region on well drained sol Wil summer niga. Most bamboo canrot survive In Wet areas because tok thizomes val fot. ‘An exception is Phyllostachys neferociada, which can tolerate wel sols, yet there has been NO ‘documented case of P.heterolade becoming established in wet areas in the region, Bamboo has been Imported to and planted in the United States for more than a century. In spite ofthis length of time, there are ony a few known examples of bamboo becoming established in any significant \way in the Urited States and this isin the Southeast. The largest bamboo grove in the United States today is Phyllostachys rubromarginata that was planted in 1945 as @ windbreak surrounding a forty-acre rursery near Savannah, Georgia. By 1995, fly years after planting, much of the orginal planing had been harvested or had disappeared, however, the bamboo had become established adjacent fo the rursery and today the bamboo is growing within a mixed hardwood forest that covers an area of several acres. The second largest known bamboo grove is located about one hour north of New Orleans, Louisiana. Phyllostachys nigre Henon’had been planted nex! to a bam in the early 1970s, and since that time it has spread over an area of about fve acres and forms a moxed stand with trees. There are almost ‘no tees below the fity:foot canopy ofthe bamboo, but there are many ieee tale than the bamboo. In the Pacific Northwest there are no bamboo groves such 2s those described above, Bamboo may have ‘been introduced into the region as early as the 1860s though some claim ft was not truly established Unt the 1990s. inthe early 1880s a dozen Species of bamboo wore planted In an unused pasture about eight Iiles east of Seat. The bamboo received no care, and fr the next decade tall grasses and dry summer ‘weather kept the bamboo from growing taller and kept it rom spreacing. The plants remained the same size as when they were planted and they became quite chlorotic (pale green in coor), ndcating they were nutrient and water deficient. Inthe late 1980s, about fteen years after the bamboo had been planted, the 6 Farming Bamboo ‘bamboo had not grown in size and a local nurseryman removed it for nursery stock. Had there been livestock grazing inthe pasture, the bamboo would have been eaten and would not have survived at al, Inthe large-scale landscapes ofthe Pacific Northwest that include woodlands, parklands, grasslands and ‘wetlands, bamboo has not become a weed. The Pacifc Northwest, and all the west coast of North ‘America, has @ Mediteranean cimate that is warm and dry inthe summer and wet and cold inthe winter, Bamboos are humidtysoving grasses adapted to climates with regular summer rainfall ot monsoons. ‘They are not native to any region ofthe word witha Mediterranean climate. After a century of introduction {and reintroduction, propagation and plating out, bamboo has not become feral (a domestic plant oF animal that has gone wild and naturalized) in the Paciic Northwest. A hundred years should be long fenough to observe a plants ability to naturale or become a weed (Valley, 2003). In the smal-scale landscape, such as the yard with its irigated lawn and garden, bamboo can easily spread and become a probiem if not properly managed. Yara overs tend to walter, much and fetlze, ‘and all these activites encourage bamboo growth and spread. In the yard, bamboo should be ‘appropriately managed to prevent it from spreading. A bamboo-grade root barier should be placed ‘around the planting, Each fll check the root barrier and eut rhizomes that have grown over the top ofthe barrier no bari is used, rhizomes should be cut back at the edge of the bed each fall to prevent spreating. For more information on control of bamboo, see the chapter in this book How To Control Bamboo. Research Needs Fr centuries, bamboo has been a food and fiber cop in India, China and other Southeast Asian ‘counties. In the Southeastern United States Native Americans buit houses, blowguns, baskets with ‘Azuncinara gigantes. For bamboo to become a food and fiber erop inthe United States, research must be ‘Jone on all aspects of production and uilizaion in this part of the word. Research needed for production Includes species recommendations for each groving region, lertlization and irigaion rates, and harvest ‘cles and techniques. There is interest among some researchers in measuring niogen uptake rates of ‘bamboo and to measure the crop growth response to niragen applications throughout he year. If bamboo is a high nitzoger-use crop, it could be used to manage liquid manure that s produced in day and other livestock operations and to prevent nitrogen release ino water resources. Some projects around the World are using bamboo as a biofter for sewage or wastewater treatment. Liquid sewage oF wastewater is pumped into the bamboo grove, the bamboo uses the water and nuttents to grow, and poles are lator harvested fo Mie sei kane Research needs for utization include techniques fr making bamboo fiber products as well as evaluations ‘ofthe strengths and properties of those products. There are vast opportunities avaliable for researchers in ‘bamboo. Results could contribute to new agricultural and timber enterprises in the United States and \Would support ongoing actives in other parts of the world. Counties that traditionally produce bamboo Such as Insia, China and Thailand already have research programs in bamboo production and tiilzation Collaboration with US scientists would be useful to ll participants and to the people of developed and ‘veloping countries worldwide who desire more sustainable food and fiber production systemsCHAPTER 2 References ‘Adamson, W. C., G.A. White, HT. DeRigo, and W.O. Hawley, 1978, “Bamboo Production Research at Savannah, Georgia 1957-77 Gallonay, 8.7. 1928, "Bamboo and Bamboo Culture" Leaflet No. 18, U.S. Department of Agricuture, February, 1928, ‘Kugen, J,,2004. Bamboo grower, Issaquah, Washington. Personal communication, September 15. Meceditn,T., 1999 Bamboo grower and author, Kirkland, Washington, Personal communication October 23 NASS. 2001 Seth, 1971 “Triple, J., "Exploring the Evolution of Cane in North America’, Bamboo ~ Magazine of the American ‘Bamboo Society October 2006, Vol 27 Issue 5 Valley, R., 2003. Bamboo grower, Phlomath, Oregon. Personal communication September 21 BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION OF BAMBOO Contributor: Dr. Lynn Clark ‘amboo Is an evergreen plant in the grass family. thas narow leaves, woody twigs and branches, ‘and woody cuims that are usualy hollow and Joined, To become a successful bamboo grower, is helpful to know more than this common knowledge of bamboo botany, IF you understand where bamboo fits into the plant kingdom and how bamboo relates to other plant, especialy grasses, you wl bbe able to make educated guesses about the care and management of the bamboo species suitable for your area, Botanical Taxonomy “Taxonomy isthe system of naming pants end animals. inthe mid-1700's, Carolus Limaeus created the binomial nomenclature system that is the foundation ofthe hierarchical system of taxonomy thats used today. He placed organisms into genera and species based on thei reproductive structs. Over the lat ‘wo hundred years, taxonomists have created a classification system that separates organtoms ilo at least five kingdoms: prokaryote, eukaryote, fungi, plantae and animalia, Each of these fve kingdoms is ‘divided inte increasingly emai unis Kingdom -> Division > Class > Order > Family > Subfamiy > Tbe > Genus ->species > varietycutivar Bamboo is a Grass Bamboo is in the Kingdom Plantse, the Division Spermatophyta (plants that produce seeds), the ‘subdivision Angiospermae (lowering plants that produce seed), and the family Poaceee (the grass for) {igure 2-1), Bamboo is a monocot which means one scod leaf of “cotyledon” emerges from the eoed, ‘The leaves of monocots have a parallel vein stucture. Bamboo seedlings look lke the seedings of wheat rather small grains (Figure 2-2). Bamboos are isinguished from other grasses by "bambusoid” structural characters that include: J. An extensive woody hizome system, 2. Woody culms with branches at the nodes, 3. Thrwe types of leaves: the foliage leat that arses from the nodes of branchlets; the culm leaf or sheath that arises from the culm node, influences the growth ofits internode, and dies when the ‘u4m is fully extended: and the rhizome lea that arses from the node of the rhizome, inuencos the growth ofits internode, and protects the growing ip of a mizome (Figure 23) foliage leaves have the primary function of photosynthesis. Rhizome leaves do not photosynthesize: Erimary function isto protect the elongating rhizome. The primary funtion of the culm sheath is fo ie elongating cum, but they do photosyahesize forthe short period when tey are green and is similar to other perennial grasses in that can reproduce vegetatively through rhizomes found stems). Rhizomes of running”‘Botanical Classification of Bamboo ‘Common Ancsstor vs { a fea Hse ed feos aa See ea ‘the protista or protoctieta - ' revision’ Pinophytes 8) cw Bel ere lege ee Seeomee erate i caunan eee Several Groupe Monogptletons Eade er rou oe SRE AR Sol a pues SUBCLASS 7 subcl ‘Aepstoce... someimem prion ha, Zgtean ORDER me ES ‘selon Zeger conan coclam falics Seam glee zh FAMILY Rostene ‘SUBFAMILY, pment aan” naan ai pan roan ttnatn ante, 8 BSB woman ihay Henao eee er = es cenus FReee eee tN cchlandra otgontacryum —Olmeen Otten Oxytonanthere Phyllentachys species, Figure 2-4. Botanical classification of bamboo. 1 Farming Bamboo Figure 2-2. Thity-day-old Moso seedling wth seed coat sil attached and rhizome not yet formed 3.3, Bamboo hes thee types of leaves: (A) the foage leat, (B) the culm sheath; ana (C) the In this stration, 0 roots that wore atthe base vere removed so tha he inns uration, oes Pat woe ot base ote cum wed $0 that hey cidBotanical Classification of Bamboo Figure 2-4. typical rhizomatous grass showing a grass unit above the ground and a grass unit below the ‘ground (A). Atypical grass leaf has a sheath that wtaps around the stem (3). ae Figure 2-8. A view looking down ata cross section of a mature culm at ground level, and of a bud that is ‘sweling to become a new shoot and culm, ‘A bamboo shoot grows into a culm. “Cul isthe teem used to describe the aboveground stem ofa grass plant. Once a culm is cut, iis referred to as a pole. The dlameter of a culm of a medium to large-sized temperate bamboo is several times greater than the diameter of the rhizome from which # arses. In general, the culm dlamecr is largest atthe base of the cum, affhough in some species, such as yellow R Farming Bamboo ‘groove, the cuim diameter is largest several fest above its base. The culm tapers to a nartow point at the top or tp. The culm base is solid and is encicied by basal roots that physically suppor the fuly developed culm with ts heavy weight of branches and leaves (Figure 2-6). These basal roots completely obscure the culm base and neck. The wali ofthe culm are ticker inthe lower part ofthe culm than i the middle or top. In some varieties of bamboo the lover part ofthe culm has walls so thick tat the culm is solid, ie there is no hollow inthe center of te em. In tropical bamboos, what looks like a culm base is actully ‘the hizome. Mos tropical bamboos do not have the long thin running rhizomes of temperate bamboos but rather they typically have short wide rizcmes that in some genera extend only afew inces from the base ofthe culm. Figure 2.6. A cross section of a culm base, culm neck and rhizome of Phyllostachys nigra ‘enon’ hharvested and bisected in Washington State. While this book is witten for growers of temperate bamboo varieties in the Pactic Northwest, USA, itis important to understand the diferences tetween temperate and tropical baboos. In this book, we refer to temperate bamboos as those species from the north temperate region, which inckides @ sume ‘season, vinter season, and lower light rtenses than the topics. Some people refer to bamboos fom ‘ouniainous tropical aress (such as Chusquea, Neurolepis and Aulonemia) as temperate, but this environment is substantaly diferent and includes year-round warm or hot days, cool or cold nights, and high light intensities. Additionally. bamboos from the north temperate region are derived from a diferent lineage than most bamboos from tropica mountainous areas. In studies by Lynn Clark (1999), @ single ‘eyoluionary tropical ineage vas found tc give rise to members of Arundnarénae and Shibataeinae (and Thamnocalaminae, if recognized), This ineage diversified in the north temperate (and subtemperate) ‘eglons of Asia and North America, especialy in the mountains of China and the Himalayan region, with ‘Some species adapting to tropical high mountain habitats (eg, Thamnocalamus in Aiea and Yushania in Taian) Ths is the Ineage that is refered to as temperato in this book and includes Phyllostachys, Fargesia and Arundinana Temperate tamboos are often runners, wth long slender rhizomes that extend relatively quickly (up to [wenty feet in a year for some species) ina wellmanaged grove of larger running temperate varieties, te ‘Gulms wil be spaced apart ike trees in a forest and a person can easiy walkthrough to harvest shoots Fis Poles. However, there are some temperate bamboos such as Themnacalamus, Fargesia and ‘Yushane hat are clurmpers, thats, they Fave short thek hizomes that only Grow upto few inches each iF. These varieties form very tight cups and culms are so close logether that ii impossibe to walk ough the clump. Itcan even be impossble to inset your hand into the clump because the culms are 80 lose together 2 few exceptions to this gonealzation of runner and clumper growth habit, Some bamboo #68 Rave the typical short, wide rhizomes associated with clumpers, but the mizomes have long, These long-necked tropical bamboos form open groves simiar in appearance to groves of 1BBotanical Classification of Bamboo {temperate bamboos. Some temperate bamboo varieties have short, wide rhizomes. These varieties tend to be from high elevations in topical latitudes, they produce emali culms, and are commonly used es ‘omamental bamboos. The vareties may be tropical bamboos that have adapted fo cold temperatures without changing their clumping rhizome growth habit. Some bamboo varieties produce both short ‘hizomes and long ones. Thete varieties also tend to be smaller in size and Ikely have litle or no importance on a temperate bamboo farm except as winler pasture, They may be important as omamental bbamboos. The clumping mizome system thal ls common of ropiel bamboo varieties is thought fo be the ‘mere primitive form of Bamboo growfh wile the running rhizome system is thought to have evolved more recently Figure 2-7 Inthe above illustration, the frst culm arose from a bud on the horizontal rhizome, The second {tllering) culm arose from a bud on the culm base. Ifyou were to dhvide the plant by cuting between the ‘two culms, the tilered culm would have no attached thizome and would ai. A transplanted culm must hhave an attached rhizome to survive, Tilering is rare in mature groves of Phylosactys but common in recently dvided smal plants and seedlings, Bamboo is considered to have evolved into a different niche than other grasses. Generally, grasses ‘evolved to withstand greater sun, wind and drought than trees. In contrast, bamboos evolved fo, Cownist with tres in a forest. Bamboo, the giant forest grass, tikes the high huridlty and summer rains typical of a {topical forested clmate. Bamboo culms shoot rapidly skywards to reach the sun as away to survive amid tal trees, Most large tropical banboo varieties will not Survive freezing temperatures, H you live where ‘winters remain above freezing and summers are hot, you can grow some of the tropical bamboos, which ‘are the best and most productive bamboo species inthe world (On mature bamboo plants, foliage leaves arise from nodes on branchlets and atthe very tip of mature ums, Most other grasses do not have aerial branches so their leaves arise directly from the culm, Seeding bamboos do not have tranches. Their folage leaves arise directly fom the culm. Fobage leaves have @ narrow connection between the sheath and blade that looks tke a petiole but is actually @ Pseudopetiole. The pseudopetiole allows the blades of the follage lea fo fuer The folage lea ives for ‘one year or shally loge, Geperding onthe vanety. When a new leat appears, the oldest leaf on is ig tums yellow and in afew weeks wil fal of. Like foliage leaves, culm and rhizome leaves arise at a node, and there is one lef per node. Culm leaves ‘and rhizome leaves influence the hormones that cause thelr internode to extend. These leaves lve Ul the intemode they are attached tos fully extended. Buds that wil become culms swell underground for @ ‘month or two before they emierge-and shoot skywards. A culm leaf Is present from the time the bud begins “ Farming Bamboo {o swell underground unt its internode Is fully extended. In some genera, most notably Phyllostechys, the culm lea vl dry and fall off when its node is fully extended. In other genera the cried, dead culm lea can Femain on the culm for @ few years. lower portion of a culm may be fly extended a month after {emerges from the ground, uftereas the upper portion of the culm can take two months to become fly ‘extended. Rhizome leaves have a similar le cycle as culm leaves, bul they cannot fall away Because they are underground, Instead they rot away. Naming of Bamboo ‘A recurring complaint among bamboo enthusiasts is thatthe botanical names of some bamboo species: ‘change overtime. The botanical name of a species changes if taxonomists gain more knowledge that ingicates the plant belongs in a diferent grouping, Taxonomists assign names based on the Knowledge they have at the time of finding, describing and naming the plant. When this knowledge changes, te ‘name must also change to reflect this new knoviedge. Remember, taxonomy is designed to group plans into related genera. Bamboo relationships and nomenclature are more confused than those otter ‘lowering plants because most bamboo species do nat flower very often, and flowering is the key element used by taxonomists to identity and classy plants, Bamboo. especialy those in the genus Phyllostachys, have long vegetative periods when they have no ‘lowering structures. Due to the raity of flowering, accurate classfication of these bamboos ie very iit. When a plant explorer finds a new bamboo, itis unikely that they wil also find flowers on the plant. indeed, the bamboo specimens inthe original herbarium collections generally lack flowers. Shou plant explorer return in twenty years and be lucky enough to find his or her bamboo in ower, chances ae thatthe vegetative parts that are used for feld identification wll be severely reduced or not present For example. the culm leaf isan important structure used to identify and classy bamboo. tthe plants in ower, there is usually no fresh culm lef present. if the lower has developed seed. there is almost never 2 fresh culm leaf present onthe pint ©. Lynn Ctark, bamboo researcher, texonomist and coauthor of American Bamboos (1996), finds thatthe ‘tdering of grasses in general isin fux. ONA analyses are adding new evidence to the relationships ‘among and between genera’. A the time this book is being wren, there ore twelve subfamilies, of ‘grasses. More may be added. Do not despair that the names and cassfcaion of some bamboo species ‘change. As knowiedge of relationships expands, naming evolves to represent that knowledge. The names ‘make more sense than before. How to identity Bamboo Field identiicaton of bamboo isa step-by-step process of elimination that narrows down the possiblities to just @ few choices. Identification of bamboo also depends on regional knowledge because bamboo [OWS to diferent sizes in aflrent climates. The time-honored way to leam how fo identify bamboo isto go to groves and nurseries with a bambusero and lear from him or her. leamed from Ned Jaquith of Bamboo Gardens, and Ned leamed from Richard Haubric. Richa‘d Haubrich, founder of the American Bamboo Society, wrote the best guide to identifying Phylostachys bamboo, the Handbook of Bamboos i In the Handbook, Mr. Haubrichsimpiies the botanical language to ‘ake it usable by the serious bambusero (bamboo enihusias), and yet he does not sacrifice accuracy. The Handbook was published in the Joumal ofthe A , November 1980, and is {avaiable from the American Bamboo Society Bookstore. In addition, wo have reprinted many of the rawings and much of the text of this handbook inthe Encyclopedia section ofthis book. Is aPlant Bamboo? ‘You may find yoursot in the postion of trina to identity bamboo by telenhone. Far example, a person {hey cal you and ofer you ree bamboo i you come and dig the plants. Selore you get rondy tof out £04 dio, is important o fst try to nd out over the telephone whether the plants indeed bamboo. Ack Simple questions such as ‘Does the plant Keep is leaves in the winter? and ‘Dose f flower in the pea (hat sores) A ore ors dont rte and ena group parts, consising ofc or more specs: ‘eu becomes theft word of he Binomial employed hare and botanical era, ores Toe 188 a 1sBotanical Classifeation of Bamboo summer?" Generally speaking, bamboo keeps Its leaves in winter and does not flower in summer, therefore answers to these questions wl let you knaw immediately whether the plant's orf not bamboo ln the Pacific Northwest, there are two common plans, heavenly bamboo" and “summer bamboo," which ‘ae called bamboo. Neither ofthese two plants is in the grass family and neither s even in the same case. {monocotyleden) as bamboo. Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is in the. barbery farly (Berberidaceae, ¢., Berbers), and summer bamboo or Japanese knotweed (Pescara [was Polygonum) Cuspidatum) is in the buckwheat famiy (Polygonaceae, e.., Fagopyrum). Heavenly bamboo te, an ‘emnamental garden shrub and Japanese Knotweed is considered @ noxious weed in. Washington Japanese knotweed isthe plant that is most commonly offered as bamboo free for the digging. lapatoce ‘notweed has hollow, non-woody jointed canes; it flowers In the summer, tums red and then diet to the (round in the winter, {nother regions ofthe United States, two other plants that are commonly confused with bamboo ate giant ‘eed gress (Arunde donax) and sugar cane (Saccharum offcmarum) ~ both are ntoduced species, Gat Feed grass grows wild in Calfomia in itches and rwerbeds, It seldom has branches sols leaves usualy arise directly from the culm. There is no Pseudopetiole. The hollow culms of giant reed glass are ofen found washed up onto beaches and many people assume that they are bamboo. Sugar tsne Is topical ‘grass and is commonly found throughout most ofthe souzheastemn United States, Family. To identity a plant as a bamboo, frst you must determine i the plant is inthe grass family. f the plant isnot a grass, it cannot be a bamboo. Most plants produce flowers and fut evety year and these Dlants are identiied by @ combination of vegetative and reproduce characteristics, Many Dambose Farely flower and so bamboos are most frequeny dented by vegetative characteristics, nol reproductive ‘ones. One of the simplest diagnostic characteristics of grasses isthe parallel vein sirucure of their leaves, tthe leaves on the plant do not have paral! vein siructure, the plant is not 3 grass and therefore canaot bbe a bamboo. ifthe plant isin the grass family and has the general characteristics of bamboo, then you. ‘wall need to identi the genus ft and then the spacies. ‘Genus. Table 2-1 isa ist of eleven bamboo genera that are useful on the farm in mild temperate cimates. Use this table @s an identficaion key to place bamboo in a genus, For more delals, refer to the Eneyelopedia section of this book and to Handbook of Bamboos Cultivated in the Unied States by Richard Haubrich (7980) or Bamboos for Gardens by Ted Meredith (2001). Once you have dented the ‘Genus, Its possible to identity the species. 16 Farming Bamboo ‘Table 2-4 Genera of hardy bamboos and general descriptions of characteristics used to classify plants within gener We. Genus Description Species Height Use: ‘Anuneinaria Muttple short branches; ong BinNAm, 6:20 Wiki, saves straight round culms siverbank, ative to Southeast USA, screen Bashania Culms ceularin cross-section, 6 320° Poles, riverbank, thick-walled stong poles. Three 2 in US. hedge or branches per node nialy, later sereen thas muitiple branches. Vigorous in Cold climates, eaiy shooter, ‘rough tolerant, mite resistant. CChimonobambusa Culm wals thick, nodes very 2 2 Crafts sect. Quiongzhuea prominent. Famous for use 4s waking sticks, Chusquee Solid culms, usually wth one 134+ 10-80 Solid poles dominant branch and numerous small ones; mostly cumpers, hhibanobambuse Hybrid between Sasa and 1 16 Browse; hedge Phyllostachys, Large Sasa leaves, (2 forms) ‘culms straight and grooved, 1.2, 03 branches. Phyllostachys ‘Two branches per node. Groove ¢. 35 2060° Shoots, poles, {sulcus running above branch browse bud o next node. °"D" shaped in section Pleioblastue Muttple branches, eyinrical 2 120° Winter pasture ‘cuims, persistent culm sheath, ‘unting rhizomes. ‘Sasa Large leaves, culms arising rom 11 ar Shady erosion {ground at angle, single or multiple contiot branches; culm eaves persistent ‘Sasser Like Sasa but culms more erect 6 6-10" Winter pasture leaves smalier. Semioruncinaria Upright culms with small sulcus 16:30 Windbreak arising above branch buds but shoots, browse tisappearng before next node. ‘Young culms have 3 branches; ‘lder culms up to 7 branches, ‘Shibatea ‘Short narrow ums: short wide 3 7 Ground cover leaves; short branches. Generally 2 sal plant. small pnt Shecles. Bamboos send up new shoots every year. The culm loaf on these shoots is useful and Sometimes essential fr field identification. Culm size can vary according to vimate, growing condone {nd length of ime the bamboo grove has been planted. Culm color also can vary according to elimate, Dut {ere probably due o age and exposure to direct winter sun. To ideniy a bamboo, feet sort by culm sce, olor and shape. Then sort by characteristics such as number of branches, leaf size, culm spacing, the Bigzence o* absence of small hairs (pubescence), fragrance of the culm, and so forth, Look for fresh or Gtied culm leaves anc sort by culm leaf characterises, It ie easier to Identity @ bamboo species in a {Steve than in an immature one. Young bamboos may not have developed the characters that Aisinguish them, and species within a genus such as Phyllostachys can look exesperatingly simian, ”Botanical Classification of Bamboo Most hardy or temperate bamboo varieties shoot in the spring and early summer and each shoot is \wrapped wth culm leaves. Sometimes a bamboo in the genus Phyllostachys can be identified only during ‘pring when the culm leaves are fresh. The Encyclopedia atthe end ofthis book includes drawings of Culm eaves and Richard Haubrich’s botanical descriptions. Compare this information toa fresh culm leaf Collected from the middle section of a new culm. Culm leaves at the base and tip ofthe culm are less Useful for dentiication. if there are no fresh culm leaves present, look for a dried culm lea lodged in branches or fallen on the ground. Refer to the Encyclopedia at the end of this book for culm leaf 500,000 plants per year) classic techniques are insuficient and inefficient "Micropropagation is necessary for mass scale propagation (Subramaniam, 1984, Gels, 1995). As plant propagaton laboratories inthe US increasingly gain an interest in bamboo, wil be possible to buy Ussue cured bamboo plantlets for planting acreage on @ farm. Many plants such as asparagus, strawberries, {rut tees, fiage plants and woody omamentals are propagated through tissue clue. Its only a matter of time unt high-quality bamboo is available through this method, Several labs in the US are researching the necessary protacols needed for successful production af bamboos in bssue cutie. Wortdvide, several groupe have worked for over thity years to develop good technology for rmicropropagating bamboos, and several methods have been proposed (for @ good review see Zamora, 1984). Unfrtunatey, only a few of these methods are usefl for commercial propagation. In Europe, £80,000 to 1.2 milion bamboo plants are produced annually via mieroprapagation, and this number Is ‘growing (Gielis and Oprins, 2002). For example, Oprns Plant, NV, in Belgium. has over eighty diferent bbamboos in tissue culture, either for omamental production oF tropical reforestation project, Ths Includes. ‘twenty aferent Phyllostachys. teen diferent Fargesia, about twenty belonging tothe Sasa-Pleioblastus- ‘Arundinata group, and anther twenty species that are ropcal and are easier to propagate Axitary branching isthe preferred in viro method to ensure genetic stabily, clonal fidelity and rueto-ype propagation. This technique is highly efficient fr large and even mass-scale propagation. In Europe, the, Genetic stability of these micropropagated bamboos has been extensively tested. The influence of micropropagation on bamboo availabilty and prices wil bring bamboo as a potential agro-foresty crop into areaity Its possble to micropropagate almost any selected bamboo at mass-scae in a short time frame, Large ‘numbers of bamboo can be transported from the lab tothe fed site within forty-eight hours or less, The {uaty of young plants derived from tissue culture is generally excellent. The plans are vigorous growers {and in many omamental bamboos, the qualty of one-yeat-old plants derived from tissue culture Is considerably better than those propagated via conventional methods. Micropropagated plants are a!90 price competitive wth other plants especially i one includes qualty and other longterm factors, ‘At the moment, you cannot import propagules from other counties without a special permit and approved ‘quarantine faci. At present few US labs are producing tissue culture plants ‘Starter Plants. It il take a year or two, but itis possible to grow and divide your own plants. Bamboo ‘can grow fast and spread rapidly if itis wal feriized and watered, and grow in @ warm, sunny locaton, Purchase as many plants as you can reasonably afford and plant them in a well-prepared nursery bed Use manure and compos! to prepare the sol, and mulch plants well after setting them in the nursery ‘Water plants twice weekly, apply overhead mist once a day to maintain high hui in the foliage, and ‘apply new mulch or compost every few months along the edge ofthe plants to encourage rhizomes 10 ‘Spread. Dvide plans just after shoots have reached ful height and repant ln nursery unt you have the ‘numbers that you need for fed planting, ‘Seeds. t is illegal to import living or green parts of bamboo including seeds into the United States ‘without a bamboo import permit. This is why you cannot ship tissue cuftured stats from Europe to your {ams nursery bed. Even with the permit, you are required to plant and grow them in an offal quarating ‘greenhouse for one full year. USDA plant inspectors wil Inspect the plans inthe approved and dedicated ‘reenhiouse to be sure no pests or diseases are introduced ino the United States. After one year. ithe Blanis on inspection are found to be pestfee, they will be released and you can plant them out in the field. the plans are not pest-fee, you will have to treat them or destroy them. ‘Sometimes it is possible fo buy seeds within the United States. Mos Ikely the avaiable seeds are not of Vatletes sulable for farm crops. People have had varying success growing bamboo from seed, It 8 30 Farming Bamboo known, however, that bamboo seeds are best planted as soon as you receive them. Viability goes down ‘apidly over ime. Some people have experienced damping off diseases wth thelr bamboo seedlings while ‘ther people have grown seedings with no trouble. f you decide to grow bamboo from seed, we ‘recommend that you germinate seedings inthe greenhouse and Keep the seedlings in the greenhouse for several months. Bottom heat, warm air temperatures, high relative humic. and good air cirulaion are key to the successful and rapid greenhouse production of seedings. We recommend you experiment on your own to determine optimum greenhouse temperatures for varieties in your area, Dig Your Own. Digging bamboo for free may appear ikea good del, but there are many disadvantages, First, the grove may have boen abandoned for years and sullere from poor care. There are likely 0 be ‘many dead culms, bamboo mites, and old non-preductve rhizomes. While pants can be dua. they may Be Siow to regrow and may take one to three years longer 1o become established than vigorous, healthy young nursery stock. Second, the grove may not contain the best species for yout needs. Generally. fee ‘bamboo is the most common landscape bamboo inthe area, and these species are not usualy the best ‘sulted for shoot or pole production. Third, a mature grove has many tall plants. plants are moved and transplanted at ther full height, you wil need a long-bed tuck to move them. It may be most practical tO Cul culms down to the height oftheir lowest tree sets of branches and spray the remaining leaves with an antiranspirant. Field dug, tall plants vll ned staking to Keep ftom blowing over and protection from sun {and wind to recover from transplant shock. With few roots relative to their top growth, they wll eed to be Inisted daly o several times a day. Most bambuseros place newly dug bamboos inthe shade of trees for several months before placing them in their permanent location. Finally, a mature grove has a thick mass of rhizomes and roots. til be necessary to cut and chop plants Cut of the ground. This can be extremely dificult work although a Sawzall and backhoe can make ft go ‘more quickly than hand tools. Digging Bamboo. Digging bamboo is simple in concept, but can be very hard work in practice. tis best to cig bamboo just before shooting in spring. It works fine in ld climates to dig fll and winter and, wath fare to dig any time ofthe year. Ideally, in the dry season, water the area thoroughly a few days before the scheduled digging time. You may need to water the area for several days to get the ground most In ‘he Pacific Norinwest, Bamboo root zones are pouder dry from May through September and even after the rains begin. Tis dry sol can be extremely hard to penetrate wih a spade. Bamboo tat is stressed ‘om lack of water does not transplant wel ‘On the outside edge ofthe grove, find two or more healthy culms that are close together forming a natural ‘small group or clump. Bind these culms together with a bungee cord or rope so they are out of yout way. {With oppers and a folding pruning saw, cut a path around the bundled culms to alow digging access. TO Make the path, cut the culms as close fo the ground as possible 0 that there are no stumps inthe way of RL aging tok, knees or boots. Bungoe the cums surounding the new path o pull them away rom work area. Chop or cut through the rhizomes. Pry out the clump, haul tto the shade, lay Kn te sie, nd spray wth water to wel alts leaves; it isnot necessary to wet the rots. Weting the roots washes {Sit and exposes them to air. Wrap the rot ball tightly witha tarp or burtap and cover all he leaves tarp to keep them shaded and humid. Continue removing plants from the grove and pling them the tarp, For more detais, refer to the chapter Planting Bamboo. JTurtle’s digging method is similar to the above. He wil dig the edges of the grove and also from {no grove. Removing crowded plants helps Keep his groves open and young. Adam burlaps each Ballas soon as it is oUt of the ground. A bamboo root ball s more a rock pancake than a root bal lly You are digging a dvot out of a giant lawn and divots have fat botioms. Adam a nursery lM sels wholesale only. He digs his plants when he gets an order. His groves and therefore the {hat he digs vary in height from say 15 to 30 foet. He holds the plants for about 6 weeks and then {hem onto a semi for delivery. Aer Adam has dug his order, the burlapped plants are hauled tothe faded holding zone. There the root bal of each bamboo is placed ina black pastc bag which is ted und the canes. The canes are tied to ropes strung between the tres. The bags are filed with [ge top ofthe roctbal. For the frst week an overhead mister wets down the leaves three times a the number of daly mistings decreases. Aftor a month the bamboos are stabilzed. They no 31