Growing

Bamboo is often introduced by digging up a small portion of the rhizome (root system) at the fringes of the grove and planting it in prepared (slightly acidic, enriched) soil. After a time, canes begin to come up - getting bigger and bigger every year as the rhizome grows. Thus, it is important not to remove root material from the middle of the grove, as it risks cutting the rhizome in half. Also, there should be a balance between allowing the root system to grow and giving parts of it away - unless cane size and grove size do not matter. (As far as I understand, this applies more to the temperate, running bamboos, and not as much to the smaller, clumping tropical bamboos.) An excellent, highly practical and inspiring book on the topic of bamboo is David Farrelly's The Book of Bamboo. An online search on the keyword, "bamboo," will bring up a lot of information - including bamboo nurseries where you can order rhizomes online. Be sure to order varieties of bamboo that are suited to your area - in terms of its present climate and anticipated climate in the future.

Offered by Granville.

I searched, but can't find what bamboo requires as sunlight to start new growth, but I think very little. I have been in bamboo forests that are so thick that you can't walk, and very little sunlight is available; near constant shade, but new shoots are readily available. Bamboo, of course is found in tropical regions where much rainfall is recorded, and due to the anticipated rain in the aftertime, and depending on one's location bamboo may be one of the trees that can survive. Bamboo has no peer as far as strength and durability is concerned, and if used in construction of small dwellings would serve well as a shelter.

Offered by Mike.