Bamboo Van Diemen

Feeding time for Bamboo As I re-publish this on the fifth day before Christmas 2024, I recall the sigh of relief that accompanied my morning cup of tea on the final day of Winter 2018 . Our Bamboo plants had just completed their first winter in Tasmania and all varieties bar one did extremely well. “Every plant that we put in the ground in November (2017), is looking fantastic, and those in…

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE IS BY AN UNNAMED USA RESIDENT. Bamboo is an amazingly versatile plant with many uses. Plants are found all over the world and are highly resistant to heat, drought, UV light, insects, pollution, and more. They are also durable and can withstand some of the world’s harshest climates. Bamboo is often used to make paper, food, clothes, and even building materials. Bamboo can be…

introduction to Bambusa multiplex Alphonse Karr Welcome to the world of Bambusa multiplex Alphonse Karr, a stunning and versatile bamboo variety that is sure to capture your attention and transform your landscape. In this blog, we will explore the various facets of this remarkable plant, from its care and maintenance to its use in landscaping, privacy screens, container gardening, indoor growing,…

One of the reasons Bamboo Van Diemen began operations was the realisation that Bamboo, unlike timber, is a completely sustainable/renewable resource. However, it wasn’t evident to me then, that the round, hollow culms of Bamboo, could replace traditional building methods that rely on square/rectangular faced material. The following article may help you the reader, understand how naive I was: As a…

Bamboo home décor has become increasingly popular over the past few years as an affordable, eye-catching conversation piece. With so many shapes, styles, and sizes to choose from small knick-knacks to king-sized bed frames, bamboo has seemingly turned the retail industry upside-down while simultaneously saving the planet.

Bamboo is Right Around the Corner

Bamboo is now a household alternative to eco-friendly building raw materials Step into your backyard and sample some of your local mom-and-pop shops. Perhaps stroll through your nearby market next weekend and browse their hand-crafted works of art. You’d be surprised at the sheer number of unique, quality pieces you’ll encounter. This way, not only are you supporting your neighbour’s business, and you are simultaneously an eco-friendly shopper by purchasing a product made of bamboo.

Back-to-School with Bamboo

Now well into in the second half of the year, we’ll soon be counting down to Christmas. While you’ll no doubt be attempting to jam in as much fun in the sun as you can, you’ll have a long list of essential things to do before your kiddos head back to the classroom in the new year – one of which will undoubtedly be buying school supplies.

This time, instead of purchasing the traditional #2 pencils, loose-leaf paper, or overpriced flimsy backpacks, consider making a small yet beneficial change by swapping these items out for products crafted from bamboo. This incredibly durable and versatile material has the potential to outlast many other fabrics on the market today, which is a good thing since we all know how rough & tough our little ones tend to treat their possessions.

The Biggest Benefit of Bamboo

Whether it’s a small bamboo garden or a one-of-a-kind treasure, however, you choose to incorporate bamboo into your current lifestyle, remember that you can take pride in knowing that even the smallest of genuine bamboo products can significantly impact the ongoing fight against climate change. Now that’s something we should all be championing.

We are a small, family business. We love Bamboo – what it can do for the garden, the State of Tasmania, the Planet, and the soul. It’s entirely possible that you haven’t found the answers or products you were looking for on our website or you would like further information or make an appointment to visit our nursery to view or select some plants (we aren’t a retail shop). That’s great, we’d love to introduce you to this miracle plant. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in any way you choose – we’ll be back to you in a flash.

Enjoy the post ? For More Posts Visit Bamboo Van Diemen

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Bamboo: How to make small changes in your life that make a big impact

Bamboo home décor has become increasingly popular over the past few years as an affordable, eye-catching conversation piece. With so many shapes, styles, and sizes to choose from small knick-knacks to king-sized bed frames, bamboo has seemingly turned the retail industry upside-down while simultaneously saving the planet. Bamboo is Right Around the Corner Bamboo is now a household alternative…

Many cultures around the world have used bamboo for eons. Today there is a boom in innovative bamboo products and applications as a sustainable alternative to wood. When we at Bamboo Van Diemen became aware of this phenomenon, we researched the heck out of this amazing plant. The mind boggling findings left us with little doubt that our future path would be bordered by Bamboo. The only mystery we determined, was why it took the western world so long to discover ‘the miracle plant’ . 

Read on and discover some of the most fantastic bamboo products you probably didn’t even know existed!

What products are made from bamboo? 

This is often one of the first questions one asks when learning about this incredible plant. Bamboo products are becoming more popular because of their environmental-friendly properties.

What products can be made from the tree? Anything that is made from wood can also be made from bamboo. However, the advantage of bamboo is that it grows quickly and can be harvested every year without damaging or having to replant the plantation or forest. Bamboo has better mechanical properties than traditional wood materials.

There are currently thousands of commercial bamboo products on the market, and new uses and innovative applications are being added daily. They range from building materials to food, medicine, musical instruments, textiles, wood pulp, fencing, basketry, tools, bicycles, etc.

So the better question would be: what products cannot be made from bamboo?

Or, as an ancient Asian saying goes: 

“Man is born in a bamboo cradle and leaves in a bamboo coffin. Everything in between is possible with bamboo!”

Bamboo musical instruments

For thousands of years, bamboo has been used to make musical instruments, initially probably percussion, but later also for wind and string instruments. Its natural hollow shape makes bamboo an obvious choice for many traditional instruments, such as a wide variety of flutes. However, the excellent sound qualities of solid bamboo sheets are also used today to build modern guitars.

It is well known that every bamboo forest hides the instruments for an orchestra. The list of bamboo musical instruments is very long indeed. It includes xylophones, dulcimers, marimbas, alone, castanets, drumsticks, zithers, cut drums, bells, maracas, guitars, and ukuleles, violins, Chapman sticks, panflutes, didgeridoos, fifes, saxophones, clarinets, kazoos, whistles, trumpets, and piccolo, etc.

Bamboo ukulele

Bamboo Pan Flute

Bamboo Xylophone

Bamboo Didgeridoo

Bamboo Lyre Harp

Bamboo Saxophone Reeds

Bamboo Thumb Piano

Bamboo Drum Sticks

Bamboo Flutes

Bamboo Guiro

Bamboo fabrics and textiles

In recent years, several technologies have been developed that allow bamboo fibers to be used for a wide range of fabrics, cloths, yarns, textiles, clothing, and fashion applications, such as T-shirts, pants, underwear, socks, towels, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, mattresses, and even weaves.

Currently, two production processes are used to produce bamboo fabrics: chemical and mechanical. The advantages of processed bamboo textiles are ramie-like feel, a natural antifungal and antimicrobial properties, rapid moisture absorption and drying ability, the ability to retain warmth in cold periods and coolness in hot periods, and protection from ultraviolet rays and antistatic properties. 

Unfortunately (due to the higher cost of mechanically extracted bamboo fibers), modern bamboo garments are usually made from chemically treated bamboo, called viscose rayon.

This region is produced by dissolving cellulose in bamboo and then extruding it to form fibers. This process removes the natural characteristics of the bamboo fiber, making it identical to the region of other cellulose sources. Unless the product is made directly from bamboo fiber (mechanically processed bamboo), it cannot be called “bamboo.” 

Bamboo textiles offer many solutions to the unsustainable nature of textile engineering, as bamboo is a renewable resource that produces 50 times more fiber per acre than cotton.

However, production costs, energy, water, and chemicals still need to be addressed.  

Reusable Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads

Bamboo Pillow

Bamboo Bath Towels

Bamboo bed Sheets

Bamboo pulp and paper

Bamboo fibers have been used for papermaking since ancient times, but in recent years bamboo has become the primary raw material for pulp and paper production due to the scarcity of wood resources. The bamboo paper has a high tear index, similar to hardwood paper, and its brightness and optical properties remain stable. In contrast, those of wood pulp paper can deteriorate over time. Bamboo can also be processed with less energy, and bamboo can be processed with less energy and chemicals than wood, making it more environmentally friendly.

According to research, the total production capacity of bamboo, pulp reached 2.4 million tons in 2017, of which 80% is used to produce raw bamboo pulp for household paper. Examples of bamboo products are coffee filters, cups, paper towels, toilet paper, cardboard, craft paper, and bond paper.

Bamboo Toilet Paper

Bamboo Coffee Filters

Disposable Bamboo Paper Cups

Reusable Bamboo Paper Towels

Bamboo Baby Diapers

Bamboo Copy Paper

Bamboo Bioenergy

Bamboo Chips

Bamboo Charcoal

Bamboo Briquettes

Bamboo Pellets

Bamboo Food and Beverage

Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo Tea

Bamboo Beer

Bamboo Salt

Bamboo Sports and Recreation

Bamboo Skateboard

Bamboo Golf Tees

Bamboo Paddleboard Paddle

Bamboo Cornhole Game

Bamboo Bicycle

Bamboo Bottle

Bamboo Luggage Carrier

Bamboo Baseball Bat

Bamboo Ski Poles

Bamboo Electronics

Bamboo Speakers

Bamboo Mouse

Bamboo Phone Case

Bamboo Digital Clock

Bamboo Stylus

Bamboo Wireless Charger

Bamboo Airpod Case

Bamboo Calculator

 Bamboo Jewelry and Fashion

Bamboo Watch

Bamboo Sunglasses

Bamboo Earrings

Bamboo Umbrella Handle

Bamboo Handbag

Bamboo Walking Stick

Bamboo Sandal Heels

Bamboo Folding Hand Fan

 Bamboo Furniture

Bamboo Arm Chair

Bamboo Pendant Lamp

Bamboo Side Table

Bamboo Table Legs

Bamboo Bookshelf

Bamboo Toilet Stool

Bamboo Rocking Chair

Bamboo Canopy Bed

Bamboo Nightstands

Bamboo Beauty and Personal Care

Bamboo Cotton Swabs

Bamboo Soap

Bamboo Toothbrushes

Bamboo Toilet Seat

Bamboo Bathroom Accessories

Bamboo Hairbrush & Comb

Bamboo Household Items

Bamboo Basket

Bamboo Salt & Pepper Grinder

Bamboo Drinking Straws

Reusable Bamboo Dinnerware

Bamboo Cutlery

Bamboo Steamer

Bamboo Cutting Board

Bamboo Pot Brush

Bamboo Clothes Hangers

Bamboo Mortar and Pestle

Bamboo Clothes Pins

Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags

 Bamboo Agriculture and Livestock

Bamboo Beehive

Bamboo Stakes

We are a small, family business. We love Bamboo – what it can do for the garden, the State of Tasmania, the Planet, and the soul. It’s entirely possible that you haven’t found the answers or products you were looking for on our website or you would like further information or make an appointment to visit our nursery to view or select some plants (we aren’t a retail shop). That’s great, we’d love to introduce you to this miracle plant. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in any way you choose – we’ll be back to you in a flash.

Enjoy the post? For More Posts Visit Bamboo Van Diemen

The post Bamboo products: Why they’re taking over the market appeared first on Bamboo Van Diemen.

Bamboo products: Why they’re taking over the market

Many cultures around the world have used bamboo for eons. Today there is a boom in innovative bamboo products and applications as a sustainable alternative to wood. When we at Bamboo Van Diemen became aware of this phenomenon, we researched the heck out of this amazing plant. The mind boggling findings left us with little doubt that our future path would be bordered by Bamboo. The only mystery we…

When we researched Bamboo and growing the plant in Tasmania, we were advised to grow 90% Bambusa textilis Gracils with only a handful of other species, known to be cold climate tolerant. We were also advised to grow Phyllostachys Nigra, the only cold climate tolerant Black Bamboo. Sadly the Phyllostachys Bamboos are all invasive runners and we were determined NOT to be the source of future issues with running Bamboo, which has already been banned as a weed in many mainland jurisdictions. We took the advice with Gracilis but politely declined the Nigra.

After four years of growing and selling Bamboo in Tassie, the advice was well founded as Gracilis Bamboo has surged to popularity here and for many good reasons. If you are considering Bamboo as a fast growing green screen or simply a feature in your garden – here is some food for thought as to why you might like to consider this wonderful plant.

Beautiful, neat, upright bamboo makes excellent scenic screens, with their smooth, neat stems and lush green foliage. 

The meaning of the name: Gracilis is Latin for “thin, slender, graceful.”

GRACILIS IS A CLUMPING NON – INVASIVE BAMBOO

So why the attraction to Gracilis over other Bamboo varieties? I mean, there are over 1500 varieties of bamboo.

First of all, Gracilis is a clumping bamboo which is considered as non-invasive. This means that it grows in a tight clump and will not spread wildly like the running bamboo varieties, which have given bamboo generally a bad reputation.

Gracilis, also known as Slender Weaver or Slender Weaver Bamboo, is the most popular bamboo for privacy, and for good reason:

Gracilis grows where most other plants have problems. The non-invasive bamboo is a clumping bamboo variety in a narrow bed of only 50cm instead of the dreaded runner bamboo.

Gracilis, a plant that provides vertical privacy, takes up very little space in your lovely garden because of its upright growth habit.

The slender weavers will provide brilliant shade from neighbors in 18 months or hide an unsightly sight if planted in one of our 200mm pots with well-developed roots.

Gracilis Hardy and tolerates cold temperatures down to -12 degrees.

Gracilis Free of pests and diseases.

It can also act as a windbreak, sound barrier, and erosion control.

Gracilis Depending on conditions, it grows up to 6 meters tall (growth can be controlled for diameter and height).

Gracilis forms a very dense hedge and is compact.

It is very aesthetically pleasing all year round making it ornamental.

It produces many new shoots during the growing season (October-April).

Want to get 30% more oxygen with your privacy bamboo?

How about a bit of shade in a warm suburban garden?

Privacy bamboo plant (Slender Weavers, the non-invasive variety) has many more benefits. But the above arguments should convince even the most misunderstood bamboo detractors.

THE RAPID GROWTH RATE IS ONE OF ITS MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Straight, thin-walled, and robust. Beautiful straight bamboo that forms a very dense clump.

This species is excellent for shading. Planted 1 m apart, it forms a continuous, dense ‘bamboo wall’ within three years. They can also be planted further apart (for example, 1.5 or 2 meters between plants) and form a large shade screen, but with distinct individual clumps at the base, the foliage at the top will still form a complete shade screen. They should be planted at least 0.5m from the fence unless some root barrier is used to prevent them from growing under the fence.

The size of the plant will vary greatly depending on the circumstances. If planted close together (for example, 1 m apart) or in more unfavorable conditions, it will usually only grow to 6 m. 

There is no exact rule as to how far apart the plants should be, as this depends a lot on the look you want and your budget.

For more extensive beds (for example, at least 1m wide), we generally recommend 1m spacing if you want the clumps to grow together at the bottom. If you space them further apart (1.5 or even 2 m), you will still have full coverage at the top, but there will be gaps between the clumps at ground level.

Bamboo tends to grow a little slower in very narrow garden beds since the root space is limited. To achieve excellent, even ground coverage, you can plant between 0.5 and 1 m. The closer you plant them together, the less time it takes to achieve full coverage (the clumps are close together). Therefore, it is a matter of budget and how long you are willing to wait.

20 Benefits of planting slender weaver bamboo (gracilis)

Locks Out Ugly Views Quickly – Be it a Telstra Tower or a color-bond fence, it can be screened quickly.

Purifies Your Air Up To 3 Times More Efficiently Than Other Plants – 35% more oxygen for your lungs.

Can Cool Your Garden Up To 8 Degrees In The Summer Heat – The outdoor air-conditioner.

Can Be Grown In Pots, Troughs, Or Garden Beds – It does require a little extra care when grown in pots or troughs, but it can be done.

Can Be Planted In Narrow Widths – Slender Weavers can grow in as narrow a space as 50cm and still reach 5 meters or higher,

Beautiful Natural Privacy Screen – You can legally have a stunning evergreen living fence. Try doing that with any fence material.

Beautiful Feature Plant (Looks Stunning With Lighting) – Gracilis looks amazing along a driveway, walkway, or around the swimming pool with lights. 

The Fastest Way To Get Privacy As It’s The Fastest Growing Land Plant – If you plant our Gracilis Bamboo 200mm pots, you will have a great screen in 18 months in ideal climate conditions and with a good food/water regime.

Doesn’t Get Too Clustered Around The Base (forms very tight clumps) – The base diameter can grow to 1 – 1.5 meters. It can also be controlled with a few tricks we can show you.

Shallow, Non-Invasive Root System – The root system is very shallow, around 30 – 40 cm deep.

Blocks Out A 2 Story Window Effectively – There is nothing worse than losing your privacy and someone looking into your house and yard.

Graceful – Blends In Well With Any Garden (Even A Native Garden) – Gracilis is a beautiful plant and belongs in any garden style.

The Shoots Are Edible – It must be well cooked, but it’s not the first choice if you’re after edible bamboo shoots; Oldhamii is much tastier, I must say.

Free Poles For Tomato Stakes – Stop spending money at your hardware and garden store. You’ll have enough to give to family and friends.

Perfect Choice For Hedging Or Screening – Some people like the natural look, and some like their bamboos trimmed. Once you cut (top) a culm (stem), it will stay at that height.

Outstanding As Windbreaks And Noise Barriers – Noisy kids next door, or do you live on a busy street? The bushy, dense mature clumps of Slender Weaver Bamboo will reduce noise.

Drought Tolerant Once It’s Established – Gracilis likes water, but once it’s established, it’s drought tolerant.

It Is Pest And Disease Free

Extremely Useful For Soil Stability And Erosion –  Useful in promoting soil stability and curbing soil erosion.

 Gracilis bamboo is the superior bamboo for screening. No other plant will grow a screen faster than bamboo.

How Fast Will my Gracilis Bamboo Grow

Bamboo gracilis(slender weavers) will grow fast in many situations and most environments, even in a narrow bed up against a fence with only a few hours of sunlight a day. They will still grow to a favorable height faster than any other plants.

Suppose you want a bamboo Gracilis privacy screen or hedge to grow at high speed; you plant in spring and put 90 percent of your effort into preparing the soil and plant in full sun and feed a slow-release fertilizer high in nitrogen and irrigate and mulch well.

Maintaining Your Gracilis Bamboo Screening Plants

Bamboo gracilis is a low-maintenance screening bamboo plant.

Pruning your bamboo screen to the height you wish is a once-a-year job. You can also prune your bamboo at any time of the year if you need to. The end of winter is the preferred time.

It’s entirely possible that you haven’t found the answers or products you were looking for on our website or you would like further information or to make an appointment to visit our nursery to view or select some plants (we aren’t a retail shop). That’s great, we’d love to introduce you to this miracle plant. Please don’t hesitate to contact us any way you choose – we’ll be back to you in a flash.

Enjoy the post? For More Posts Visit Bamboo Van Diemen

The post Gracilis – The Best Privacy Screening Bamboo appeared first on Bamboo Van Diemen.

Gracilis – The Best Privacy Screening Bamboo

When we researched Bamboo and growing the plant in Tasmania, we were advised to grow 90% Bambusa textilis Gracils with only a handful of other species, known to be cold climate tolerant. We were also advised to grow Phyllostachys Nigra, the only cold climate tolerant Black Bamboo. Sadly the Phyllostachys Bamboos are all invasive runners and we were determined NOT to be the source of future issues…

Your new job?

Since all our lives changed nearly two years ago and especially through 2021, it seemed there was a great wedge driven between the 2.4million small businesses in Australia. On the one hand, businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism sectors for instance, were devastated by lockdowns and restrictions on their ability to trade. Then we have sectors like Home Improvement and Plant Nurseries that were running out of stock. This almost unprecedented phenomenon due to those who could afford it, utilising their newfound home duties to upgrade or beautify their domiciles. Bamboo Van Diemen are very grateful to have been on that side of the wedge.

A brief overview of small business “exits and entries” as counted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that in FY20-21, there was (surprisingly to me) a 3.8% increase in the number of businesses operating in Australia with the sector named “Other Services” the largest increase, by a disproportionate 7.4%.  So what’s that got to do with Bamboo you may well be thinking. Well nothing really but the recent approach from an entrepreneurial young man set my mind off in this direction. He was writing an article titled The Best Places to Buy Plants in Hobart and chose our business as one of those. Exercising due diligence, it was time to research his business – Lawn.com.au   . There I found a well constructed website that offers locals a job and the community a service – well…..services to be fair.

Clearly not a unique business model but I admire this young man’s efforts in getting his family business off the ground against well established competition. Further, for achieving a 4.7/5 Rating after 1000 plus reviews.

Sadly I can’t recommend the service as a customer given I haven’t used it but if this article assists someone looking for work without joining a franchise and paying for the privilege, I’m happy to have written it.

Oh…..you know Bamboo is a grass right!!

Did you like this article? For more articles, please visit Bamboo Van Diemen.

The post The Dichotomy of Covid appeared first on Bamboo Van Diemen.

Your new job?

Since all our lives changed nearly two years ago and especially through 2021, it seemed there was a great wedge driven between the 2.4million small businesses in Australia. On the one hand, businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism sectors for instance, were devastated by lockdowns and restrictions on their ability to trade. Then we have sectors like Home Improvement and Plant Nurseries that were running out of stock. This almost unprecedented phenomenon due to those who could afford it, utilising their newfound home duties to upgrade or beautify their domiciles. Bamboo Van Diemen are very grateful to have been on that side of the wedge.

A brief overview of small business “exits and entries” as counted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that in FY20-21, there was (surprisingly to me) a 3.8% increase in the number of businesses operating in Australia with the sector named “Other Services” the largest increase, by a disproportionate 7.4%.  So what’s that got to do with Bamboo you may well be thinking. Well nothing really but the recent approach from an entrepreneurial young man set my mind off in this direction. He was writing an article titled The Best Places to Buy Plants in Hobart and chose our business as one of those. Exercising due diligence, it was time to research his business – Lawn.com.au   . There I found a well constructed website that offers locals a job and the community a service – well…..services to be fair.

Clearly not a unique business model but I admire this young man’s efforts in getting his family business off the ground against well established competition. Further, for achieving a 4.7/5 Rating after 1000 plus reviews.

Sadly I can’t recommend the service as a customer given I haven’t used it but if this article assists someone looking for work without joining a franchise and paying for the privilege, I’m happy to have written it.

Oh…..you know Bamboo is a grass right!!

Did you like this article? For more articles, please visit Bamboo Van Diemen.

I Have Shared This Article Before But Thought It Timely With COP26 Having Just Wound Up:

Today, almost everyone is aware that we are depleting the natural resources of our one home at a rate that is much beyond sustainable development. To some extent, we have grown weary of the alarming warnings and cautions about our wastefulness.

The media is constantly talking about overpopulation, global warming, and deforestation, topics that either tire or challenge us to make the necessary changes to our lives.

There is a development that gives us optimism about the prospect of positive changes in our habits from time to time. One such development is the emergence of a new use for a species of grass that has been around longer than we have.

Bamboo has been utilized for everything from food to bridge building for thousands of years, but consumers and suppliers are taking a fresh look at all this unique plant has to offer. Here are ten ways bamboo is saving the planet.

1. Renewable resource

Depending upon the species, bamboo can be harvested in 1 to 5 years. Hardwoods, such as oak, take at least 40 years to mature before they can be harvested. Every week, deforestation takes nearly one million hectares of forest worldwide.

The versatility of bamboo as an alternative to hardwoods offers an opportunity to reduce this figure and protect our remaining forests significantly.

2. Absorbs greenhouse gases

Compared to deciduous trees, bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere.

3. Amazing growth rate

Some species of bamboo can grow over a meter in a day! That’s the beauty of bamboo. No other plant on earth grows so fast. At harvest, it produces new shoots from its extensive root system and does not need to be planted or cultivated.

4. Very little waste

After harvesting, can use almost every part of the plant to make a variety of products. From soil-rich mulch to beautiful furniture to chopsticks – every part of the plant can be used.

5. Versatility

Bamboo can replace the use of wood in almost all applications. Paper, flooring, furniture, charcoal, building materials, and much more can all be made from bamboo. Additionally, bamboo fibers are much stronger than wood fibers and are less likely to warp in changing weather conditions.

6. No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed

Unlike most commercial crops, bamboo does not require agricultural chemicals to grow. Unlike cotton, which is one of the most intensively sprayed crops globally and rapidly depletes the soil of nutrients, bamboo sequesters nitrogen. It is grown without adding chemicals to the environment.

7. Soil protection

When deciduous forests are cut down and stumps are burnt to provide space for fertilizer and crops, erosion inevitably occurs as topsoil and nutrients are washed away by rain. The eroded soil then blocks rivers and streams, affecting the livelihoods of people and animals living downstream.

The bamboo roots remain in place after harvesting, preventing erosion and helping to retain nutrients for the next crop.

8. Economic development

In less developed countries where unemployment has led to civil unrest, bamboo production and the manufacture of bamboo products offer employment opportunities in areas where social and economic stability is severely lacking.

9. Bamboo grows in a variety of conditions

Bamboo can grow in arid areas where drought has caused other crops to fail and, because its roots remain in situ after harvest, it helps to conserve vital soil moisture. From humid lowlands to high altitudes, bamboo thrives in a wide range of climatic conditions.

10.Optimism and cultural cooperation

In a world where resources are subject to conflict and war, the growing popularity of bamboo products offers different cultures the opportunity to resolve their differences through trade and cooperation, to the benefit of all.

Can bamboo save the planet? The answer to this question remains to be seen. But this unique plant and its spectacular popularity in various products offer humanity the opportunity to enjoy the many comforts of modern life without irreparable damage to our environment.

Enjoy the post? For More Posts Visit Bamboo Van Diemen

Read More: Inspirational Bamboo Flooring Ideas

Only Five Odd Years Ago, Bamboo Flooring Was As Foreign To Me As Flying Into Outer Space. Well, Just Like Bill Shatner, I Now Know That Sometimes, Imagination Plus Determination = Reality.

Completely by accident, Bamboo flooring and indeed Bamboo per se came to my attention as a result of stubbing my toe on a raised hardwood floorboard. Fast forward to 2019 and I’m sharing an ale or two with my neighbour (a carpet layer) and pontificating on the pros and cons of Bamboo flooring vs carpet. Very long story short, he informed me that the retailer for whom he plied his trade was considering the cessation of that establishment dealing in the product. My curious nature demanded further insight into this peculiar, pending end to what I believed was a perfectly good solution to my flooring needs.

Ït shrinks in Tassie’s dry climate” came the unexpected retort and despite the convivial exchange lasting some extended period, Ally & I were coherent enough the next day to order a new carpet floor!

Due diligence is something we practice –  well………diligently – yet our reliable and generally ‘non salesy’ neighbour may well have pulled a swifty on us. You see, just fifteen minutes prior to writing this article, diligent me spoke with a most affable Mark of Tasmanian Floor Surfacing Co https://www.floorsandingtas.net/ whose business has been operating in Tasmania for 72years. I’m more than happy to give him a shout out as I not only enjoyed our conversation, he informed me that he “had NEVER, EVER had a problem with Bamboo flooring”, with which he had been dealing for some fifteen years!

In the interest of fairness, I checked with the company for whom my former  neighbour lay carpets and guess what……….they still sell and recommend Bamboo flooring. According to Mark (and it makes perfect sense), any solid timber flooring exposed directly to say a wood heater or heat pump will naturally contract and that’s why they are sealed and resealed over time.

So, it seems I have a bone to pick with my former neighbour and I’m very pleased to say that my (somewhat overdue) – due diligence, has me lining up for my next floor renewal – BAMBOO! 

If you were contemplating the same, I trust the following article gives you some insight and food for thought.

When choosing bamboo flooring, it is essential to understand the different types of bamboo and their characteristics. Features such as color, texture, and pattern can make a big difference to the appearance of a floor. Bamboo also has various advantages and disadvantages, as well as suitable locations for its installation.

This gallery shows bamboo flooring installed in a variety of environments and different styles of interior design.

1. Bamboo Floor In An Open Kitchen

Bamboo has many natural wood characteristics, which means that it fits in perfectly with other hardwood items such as cabinets. The bamboo flooring in this kitchen is paired with golden oak hardwoods for a warm, rustic palette, accented by grey granite countertops and a stainless steel bar.

2. Bamboo Flooring And Walls

Bamboo can be installed above the floor, as walls, cabinets, and shelves. This indoor pond house is designed to look like an extension of the outdoors. The elegant envelope features matching bamboo flooring and cabinets with contrasting black countertops.

3. Non Carbonized Bamboo In The Kitchen

bamboo flooring Store Bamboo undergoes a process of steaming or smoking to obtain an amber hue, which is called carbonization. When bamboo is not carbonized, it retains its natural straw color, as shown in the flooring above.

Carbonization also makes the bamboo slightly softer and more expensive. The soft color of the bamboo flooring in this kitchen matches the softness of the white cabinets.

4. Horizontal Bamboo Planks With Knuckles

The texture of the Horizontal bamboo flooring shows the nodes of the plant. The nodes are the places where the stalks of the bamboo gather as they grow taller. This is a look usually associated with bamboo flooring. Horizontal bamboo flooring has a less uniform, more natural, and distinctive look.

5. Vertical Bamboo Planks Without Knuckles

As shown in the picture, vertical bamboo flooring is created by standing hundreds of strips of bamboo material side by side and laminating them together. These planks do not show the natural knots of the bamboo plant. Instead, the planks look more like straight bamboo stacked on top of each other, giving the floor a clean, uniform appearance.

6. Bamboo Flooring In A Traditional Living Room

The bamboo flooring looks versatile and suits any interior, even traditional interiors like the one shown above. The trick is to keep the bamboo flooring on the darker side to best mimic traditional hardwood flooring so that it blends well with the other wood tones in the room.

7. Bamboo Flooring In A Contemporary Space

Bamboo flooring keeps this open, modern space light and bright, even with contrasting carpet. The light, natural bamboo flooring complements the modern furniture.

8. Bamboo Flooring In A Hallway

The strength and durability of bamboo make it an ideal material for steps and stairs. Bamboo withstands the pressure of pets’ paws and heavy steps very well. The bamboo staircase here connects two rooms on the same floor. Always choose the highest quality bamboo for steps and stairs.

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Read More: How Does Bamboo Grow?

Inspirational Bamboo Flooring Ideas

Only Five Odd Years Ago, Bamboo Flooring Was As Foreign To Me As Flying Into Outer Space. Well, Just Like Bill Shatner, I Now Know That Sometimes, Imagination Plus Determination = Reality. Completely by accident, Bamboo flooring and indeed Bamboo per se came to my attention as a result of stubbing my toe on a raised hardwood floorboard. Fast forward to 2019 and I’m sharing an ale or two with my…

Some of us have been fortunate enough to visit places like Asia, South America or Africa and marvelled at the sheer presence of giant Bamboos. That once established, those monster poles (culms) reach full height in just a couple of months is astounding. Here in Tasmania, we can only dream of such growth and are resigned to cultivating plants that will reach only a fraction of the 40 metres height of the worlds tallest Bamboos. The wonderful temperate climate we enjoy so much, simply can’t provide the growing conditions necessary for such proliferation. Let’s examine the incredible phenomenon that is Bamboo and how it actually grows. The following article is in part a reproduction to which my Tasmanian experiences have been added.

Running or Clumping

Not everyone is aware that essentially (but by no means exclusively), there are two types of Bamboo: Monopodial or Running Bamboo and Sympodial or Clumping Bamboo. Almost tragically, the runners are mostly suited to cold temperate zones having mainly originated in Northern China and Japan, some in Korea.

The Phyllostachys genus constitutes a large portion of cold climate runners and appears to be the most prolific of the Bamboos imported into Tasmania. Interestingly the extent of Monopodial Bamboos’ invasiveness into the landscape is dependent on soil and moisture conditions. So much so, that it is indeed possible for their rhizomes to not venture beyond a small area and appear to be non-invasive or clumping. Given good soil and water conditions however, the running rhizome can travel klms and become a formidable foe to in an unsuspecting neighbourhood. It is this half of the Bamboo world that has given the plant its notorious, quite deserved ‘invasive weed’ label. Its invasiveness is due to the underground rhizome growing laterally and extending into bud forming nodes, each of which form a new rhizome or shoot which leads to a massive proliferation after some years of sub-surface gamboling.

Sympodial (clumping) Bamboo has suffered in reputation due to its colleague’s errant behaviour to the point where the ‘sympodial ignorant’ refuse to believe its ‘non-invasiveness’! Intrinsically, the major feature that distinguishes Sympodial Bamboo from the monopodial, is that each rhizome produces only one other rhizome, which grows vertically, to become a shoot/culm, nestling close to its mother for life. This ‘living with the relos’ attribute results in a defined footprint which delivers its non-invasive characteristic.

What follows, is true in the main for both Monopodial and Sympodial Bamboo – where there are differences, they will be highlighted.

How fast does Bamboo grow?

Bamboo forms new shoots (culms) in spring. In Tassie this can vary and we may not see new shoots until late summer. If we’re really lucky – both. These shoots rise from the ground and grow in height and diameter for about 60 days. During these 60 days, it forms limbs and leaves. Late shoots will generally NOT reveal leaves & branches until the following Spring.

Bamboo does not experience secondary growth like trees or most plants. It sprouts new leaves every year, and a Bamboo culm usually lives for ten years. After the 60-day growth period, the Bamboo does not continue to grow in height or diameter.

Bamboo belongs to the grass family. It is a colony plant, which means it uses the energy of the existing plant to produce more plants and expand the root structure. The new plants grow in the same way. Within 60 days, new shoots emerge and develop into a stick with limbs and leaves.

Bamboo takes about three years to establish itself. Once established, the new shoots that sprout in spring/late summer (they still only grow for 60 days) become larger and more numerous each year as the colony grows to maturity. Different species need a different number of years (4-15) to reach their maximum size. This depends on the choice of species, soil, sunlight, climate, and water conditions.

This may seem lengthy, but it is necessary and exciting to understand your new Bamboo. Every year customers turn to us because their Bamboo is just standing there and not thriving yet in a different part of the state or even town, others are bursting skyward.

Bamboo grows differently than most other plants. It is not for nothing that it has the title “the fastest growing woody plant in the world“! It’s hard to understand what’s happening.

How to start growing Bamboo

Use a plant and not seeds! Temperate Bamboo usually sows in 75-year cycles, and seed viability is very short. If true seeds can be sourced, they are usually not viable and unwise use of time and money.

It is essential to know that the Bamboo-section you start will only grow underground. The culms attached to the rhizomes or roots have finished growing and only support the rhizome system. So don’t expect the culm to take off and grow bigger or taller.

Each shooting season, the new culm grows to the diameter it will one day have, and in a few months, grows to the height it will one day have. The growth of the entire life cycle of the cane will be completed in just a few months.

Bamboo growth cycle

Initial Bamboo never grows back in height or diameter.

New shoots appear in spring and can grow up to one meter per day. Dreaming in Tassie!

The new growth cycle usually lasts 60 days.

After this 60-day growth period, the Bamboo canes never grow again.

The Bamboo grove (running Bamboo) stand (clumping Bamboo) uses the energy of the existing culms to produce more prominent and more numerous shoots in the new season.

The Bamboo grove/stand produces larger culms until it reaches maturity, usually 7-10 years after planting.

The size of the initial planting, the species, the age of the grove/stand and the environment are all factors that influence the size of the new shoots. Your starter plant should be a healthy offshoot from an established Bamboo grove/clump.

The Bamboo you start with should not be considered a single plant but become a colony.

This colony is underground primarily (50 % of the mass). The culms or canes supply the underground rhizome colony with nutrients. When the time is right – newly formed rhizomes become shoots and shoots become culms as they telescope from the ground up.

The increase in rhizome growth allows the Bamboo to store nutrients and thus produce larger plants until a mature culm size is reached throughout the grove/stand.

A baby girl and a baby boy may have some similar characteristics to their parents, but they do not look like them early. As the baby matures, it becomes more like the parents. The same is true for your new Bamboo section.

The culms or shoots and leaves will most likely not have all the characteristics of the adult Bamboo, such as stripes or leaf size. Remember that, like a newborn baby, it may take some time before all the Bamboo features are formed. Because of this delay, it is advisable to buy Bamboo from a reputable source.

New growth

In season, new culms sprout upwards from the rhizome nodes. These new shoots are very tender and can break at the slightest shock. The culms rise from the ground with the diameter they will always have and grow at a fantastic speed for 40 to 60 days.

In Tasmania this will only be the case with Spring shooting, late Summer/Autumn shoots may perish if they haven’t grown sufficiently to sustain life through Winter. Those late shoots that do survive the frosts/snow should resume their growth with the onset of warmer weather. Effectively, the late shoots therefore, can grow over two seasons.

When the new shoot reaches its height, it unfolds its branches and new leaves even though the culm does not increase in diameter or height for the rest of its life.

Best soil conditions

Bamboo is not fussy about soil conditions, but optimum soil conditions are pH 7 or neutral, sandy loam with high organic content. Like most plants, Bamboo does better with a good layer of organic matter and loose soil that allows good drainage. However, Bamboo also does well in loamy and less favorable soils.

Bamboo roots are not deep and get most of their nutrients from the first 12 centimeters of soil. Bamboo does not grow in standing water. The soil must be able to drain.

The root system can deteriorate if submerged in water for weeks. Bamboo must not be confused with “lucky Bamboo,” which is technically a lily and can grow in water.

Sunlight conditions

The more sunlight, the more energy is available for photosynthesis and growth. Most Bamboo species need at least 4 hours of filtered sunlight or more to be planted successfully.

A smaller group of species with larger leaves and more miniature canes, 20 feet or less, prefer partial shade growing conditions, but this is not the norm for Bamboo.

Fertilize to encourage growth

Fertilizing can increase growth by a year or more. Fertilizing is the very best way to increase growth! Bamboo can benefit from the additional energy provided by additional Fertilization, and not all soils are the same. Because of Bamboo‘s frequent soil deficiencies and urge to grow, we recommend using a balanced slow-release fertilizer.

A slow-release fertilizer reduces leaching and provides nutrients in a time frame that matches the Bamboo‘s ability to absorb the nutrients. Fertilization can help accelerate growth and significantly reduce the Bamboo‘s time to form a screen or reach a mature size.

In three to five years, under good growing conditions, a single Bamboo should have 20 to 40 culms and have reached near full maturity. Of course, this depends on the species chosen, and some species can reach a diameter of over 3 inches and a height of 30 feet in just seven years – even here in Tassie.

What to expect from the Bamboo grove?

In the case of Monopodial (running) Bamboo, it takes about three full years for the mother plants to take off in the ground and form several shoots that make a Bamboo grove.

Here are the typical results under normal growing conditions for Sympodial (running) Bamboo: From a 200mm pot (1-2 culms), you should have a few new shoots the first growing season.

The following season, these culms may then produce a few more each. In the third year, the increasing growth will become apparent when all these culms produce more growth.

After about three full years, it becomes pretty impressive because the new culms (canes) that sprout each spring are more significant and taller than last year’s growth.

First 3 years of Bamboo growth

Sleeps

Creeps

Leaps

The mother plant (whatever size you start with) is finished in diameter and height, but the rhizome will grow underground.

Bamboo is a (grass) colony plant, and most of the Bamboo grove/stand will be underground. Each season, the new culms will start to grow taller in height and diameter than the previous season’s growth, until after a few years, the mature size of this species is reached.

As a Bamboo grove/stand develops, the new culms (poles) become more significant in diameter, and the height of each NEW culm increases until the grove reaches maturity. The oldest culms are usually the smallest.

The new culms that grow in the spring/late summer of each year usually become taller than those of the previous year. This is due to the enlargement of the underground system of rhizomes or roots.

Controlling the Running Bamboo

In temperate latitudes, the most prolific growers (sadly) are runners which usually sow in a 75-year cycle with small seed production. Propagating Bamboo by seed is very difficult. The primary propagation mechanism is the spreading of the roots (rhizomes) and the production of new culms. The rhizomes of the running Bamboo track laterally underground.

If you control the roots, you also control the Bamboo. You can prune the roots twice a year, or Bamboo Shield is a good option. Bamboo Shield offers an ‘almost’ worry-free way to contain Bamboo.

With Bamboo Shield, you can define the area where you want the Bamboo to grow. You can use it to create long privacy screens or even unique patterns in the ground. Installation is simple, provided you can dig around the ground. HINT: Ensure you install more and deeper than recommended.

A trench is dug around the desired area, and the Bamboo Shield is installed vertically to prevent the Bamboo roots (rhizomes) from spreading. Bamboo has neither a stake nor deep vertical roots. It has a simple root system that runs parallel to the ground, usually in the first 14″ of topsoil.

You can also cut off any unwanted new shoots to prevent the Bamboo from spreading. This needs to be done carefully but is a suitable containment method if you have access to the areas where the Bamboo is shooting. New shoots are fragile when they first appear and can easily be mown or cut with a string trimmer/brushcutter.

Bamboo Anatomy

Bamboo belongs to the monocotyledonous plants as it has hollow stems with scattered vascular bundles and leaves with parallel veins. The woody, ring-shaped, vertical stems are called culms or are commonly called canes. As previously stated, the most common Bamboo species in temperate zones belong to the genus Phyllostachys.

They have a furrow or sulcus above each branch base with two alternate limbs at each nodal ring. This is the species most people think of when they think of Bamboo. However, there are many species with different characteristics.

Some species have a colored furrow or sulcus. The internodes can be green and have a yellow stripe in the furrow. Others have yellow rods with green stripes in the furrow.

Others are green with black coloring, intensely black, spotted with wine-red or purple. Many species have three or more limbs at each node. Can continue the list of different Bamboo species indefinitely. This does not even take into account the different colors of the leaves and their variegation.

Bamboo is evergreen and produces new leaves every year. This new leaf growth takes place in spring. This procedure is gradual and is highlighted by a new carpet of golden brown leaves in the grove. The changing of old leaves to new in particular in immature plants can look particularly nasty, as if the plant is dying. The irony with young, potted Bamboo is that when gardeners are seeking them in the Spring, they generally look their worst as this process takes place.

It is essential not to remove this carpet of leaves from the groves as it provides mulch and nutrients for the colony. Since Bamboo is an evergreen tree, it can serve as a screen at all times of the year.

Cold weather hurting Bamboo

Many Bamboo species survive even when exposed to lower temperatures than those advertised. While it may be painful to see your beautiful foliage or culms die due to extreme cold or wind chill, in most cases, it is reassuring to see the Bamboo re-bloom the following spring with new culms and often new foliage on seemingly dead culms.

Again, this generally happens if the Bamboo has been exposed to temperatures below those recommended for the species or extreme cold.

It is always essential to choose an appropriate species for your climate zone and application.

We have tried to grow many tropical species here in Tasmania – most have perished with the first frost with only a few survivors. There is however, a BIG difference between surviving and thriving!

Pots and planters do not provide the same insulation as the soil. If you are using a planter or container, choosing a colder resistant species is essential than that generally required for in-ground planting.

How long does Bamboo last?

A Bamboo grove/stand can last a hundred years or more. An average Bamboo cane can live up to 15 years, depending on the species, but generally, 7 to 10 years is the rule. With runners – the initial and smaller plants die a little faster as the grove matures because of a lack of sunlight.

The good news is that after a few years, when the starter plant starts to die back, you are well on your way to having a grove/stand or canopy of mature culms every spring and summer.

Bamboo applications

 Bamboo can green your garden in winter, and it can stabilize the soil of slopes and combat the worst erosion problems.

This plant can act as a screen or windbreak and can be pruned to the height you require. We carry Bamboo species for almost any application with various sizes, colors, and winter hardiness.

We primary sell Bamboo for:

Privacy Screens

Ornamental

Accent plantings

Bamboo craft/construction

Biomass applications

Please let us know if we can help you choose or supply you with one of our beautiful Bamboos.

Enjoy the post? For More Posts Visit Bamboo Van Diemen

How does bamboo grow?

Some of us have been fortunate enough to visit places like Asia, South America or Africa and marvelled at the sheer presence of giant Bamboos. That once established, those monster poles (culms) reach full height in just a couple of months is astounding. Here in Tasmania, we can only dream of such growth and are resigned to cultivating plants that will reach only a fraction of the 40 metres height…