permaculture

[loren luyendyk <loren@sborganics.com>]

Hi mIEKAL-

As far as I know bamboo culms are best harvested when they are over one year 
old.  That is- wait a full year (or better three) after the culm shoots up 
before you harvest it.  This will ensure that the wood is hard and dry.  

I would say in your area best to harvest in the summer when it is dry 
(although I assume you have summer rains, so pick a dryish spell for curing). 
 You want to harvest when the sap is low, like around the new moon so that 
there are less sugars to attract bugs.  

Others say to harvest when the sap is high (full moon), but then you must 
leach the sap by standing the culm in a bucket of water for several weeks so 
that it uses all of the sugars in the stem before drying.

The most important thing with bamboo durability (besides obviously good 
growing conditions) is the curing/drying process- if it dries too fast they 
will crack.  Leave the harvested culms in the dry shade for another six 
months to a year for highest quality poles.

Of course if you are using the culms for garden trellises etc harvest anytime 
as durability may not be the concern.

visit bamboo forum for more...

PEACE in PErmACultrE-
Loren Luyendyk
(805) 452-8249
www.sborganics.com
www.surferswithoutborders.org




> Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 10:44:36 -0500
> From: qazingulaza@gmail.com
> To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: Re: [permaculture] when to harvest bamboo
> 
> I'm in the Driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin, zone 4
> 
> http://dreamtimevillage.org
> 
> ~mIEKAL
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 10:34 AM, Amy Little <amylittle@hvc.rr.com> wrote:
> > Where are you located, what zone?
> >
> > At 08:43 AM 10/6/2010, you wrote:
> >>
> >> A small clump of bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata) I planted on the
> >> south side of one of our buildings more than 15 years ago is finally
> >> putting out usable wood.  The first 10 years it was never more than 3
> >> feet high & the thickness of a pencil, but gradually spreading
> >> everywhere in a small courtyard.  3 years ago we got a stretch of 35
> >> below & I assumed it completely died back but after 2 years with zero
> >> above ground activity this year it grew 10 - 15 feet high & a few
> >> pieces are almost an inch thick.  Is it best to harvest in the fall
> >> while it is still green or should I wait until the spring?  Also is
> >> there any problem with harvest all the growth or should a bit of it be
> >> left behind.
> >>
> >> ~mIEKAL
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