Bamboo - A Symbol of Longevity and Integrity
Bamboo is one of the most versatile plants in the world. It is an evergreen grass that grows in a variety of climates from the cold mountains of Asia to hot tropical areas. It is also very diverse, with more than 70 genera and over 1,450 species of bamboos worldwide. In China, bamboo is a symbol of longevity and integrity. It is believed to grow as fast as the speed of a silk thread and it was once one of the most widely used woods for construction and musical instruments. It is a versatile plant and provides food, fuel, medicine and other uses for humans and other animals.
Bamboo grows best in well-draining soils with rich organic matter. It is a vigorous and vigorously growing plant that can quickly cover an area with a dense canopy. Its roots and rhizomes store nutrients so that the plant can regenerate rapidly after harvest or damage. Bamboo grows to a mature height in three to seven years depending on the species, location and environment. This growth rate means that a bamboo grove can be harvested for lumber within three to five years after planting.
Many species of bamboo flower periodically throughout the world at the same time, a phenomenon called complete gregarious blooming. Bamboo flowers are very attractive and this has contributed to bamboo’s cultural significance in China as a symbol of longevity. Bamboos are incredibly strong and have been used as the mainstay of a number of traditional Chinese crafts such as furniture, utensils and musical instruments. The hollow stems of bamboo are also a staple for the production of tin, and whole stalks have been used as planks for houses and rafts. Bamboo is a staple of Asian cuisine and can be eaten raw or cooked. Bamboo leaves are a valuable vegetable and the pulped fibres of several species (particularly Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambossi) are used to make high-quality paper.
A new bamboo division will not produce culms in the first year. It is like a baby that does not look exactly like its parents when it is born and will take time to develop all its characteristics. The rhizomes will increase in size however and the bamboo grove will gradually grow to maturity.
Bamboo groves, once established, will have an active growth period in the spring. During this time, any shoots can be removed that are unwanted but remember that each new culm (cane) will grow larger than the last as it matures in subsequent years.
The size of the initial planting, the species and the environment all influence new shoot growth in a bamboo grove. Generally, the older culms in the grove will be smallest in diameter while the youngest culms will be the tallest. The reason for this is that the bamboo is primarily propagated by rhizome growth and new culms do not replace existing culms. A mature grove of bamboo will eventually have the same height and diameter throughout.