Bamboo

[HeijoshinCool]

I'm building a house to live in the next few years, then will be moving on. So, I don't want to spend much on the "wall" I'd love to surround my house with. Looking on the web, there are some really cool "natural fences" of bamboo.

Anybody have experience transplanting bamboo? What species?

The locals here think of bamboo as a weed. It is free for the digging.

Something that grows FAST!

The ultimate purpose for said fence is: privacy; sound barrier; animal barrier.

Suggestions appreciated, especially if borne of personal experience.

Thanks.

[tim armstrong]

Try Changmai Bamboo Nursery -0896339517 They have a catalogue and a wide variety of ornamental and screening varieties. Get a small type as they do fall over if large and also tend to spread. Good luck.

[besth]

There is one bit where your fence purpose will not be met: bamboo as animal barrier doesn't work.

Other than that, it looks great, it grows relatively fast as you say, but because of that it will also require maintenance. Replacing, repositioning and reorganizing the fence as it grows.

Not expensive at all and can be a good project to enjoy without having to dedicate too much time nor money to it. Enjoy it if you decide to go for it.

[farang000999]

save yourself the headache and just create a real wall/fence. it serves important purposes. you can always landscape around it.

[mauGR1]

If you really want to do that, you may consider limiting the area where you want the bamboos to grow, burying a zinc metal sheet at least 50/60 cm. deep in the ground..Otherwise the bamboos will expand in every direction inside and outside of your garden.

[loong]

If you really want to do that, you may consider limiting the area where you want the bamboos to grow, burying a zinc metal sheet at least 50/60 cm. deep in the ground..Otherwise the bamboos will expand in every direction inside and outside of your garden.

Some bamboo varieties are invasive, but not all. Many hardly spread at all.

But the roots will expand as far as the canopy and it is very difficult to even grow grass because the roots will suck out all moisture and nurients.

They drop a lot of leaves, and if you want to keep the area tidy, it's a full time job clearing up.

Your fence may not grow as well as you expect because of neighbours stealling the bamboo shoots.

[mauGR1]

If you really want to do that, you may consider limiting the area where you want the bamboos to grow, burying a zinc metal sheet at least 50/60 cm. deep in the ground..Otherwise the bamboos will expand in every direction inside and outside of your garden.

Some bamboo varieties are invasive, but not all. Many hardly spread at all.

But the roots will expand as far as the canopy and it is very difficult to even grow grass because the roots will suck out all moisture and nurients.

They drop a lot of leaves, and if you want to keep the area tidy, it's a full time job clearing up.

Your fence may not grow as well as you expect because of neighbours stealling the bamboo shoots.

Correct, but the OP said he wants to grow a thick fence of bamboo, so an invasive bamboo variety is what he needs.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Don't know the varieties myself, but there's a condo near me that put in a small forest of the stuff around the walking paths at the property boundaries, obviously not from seedlings, as in less than five years now it really is cool quiet and dark in there, 10+ m high and widely spaced gives a great atmosphere really beautiful place to hang out and read comfortable even on a sunny day.

IMO better to use a less invasive variety and have to actively put it where you want it. Will cost a bit more and take longer to get fully established but at least not be a problem growing worse and worse forever into the future - any man-made barriers eventually break down, I've seen the stuff split up concrete within a pretty sort time and steel/tin/zinc in the ground obviously breaks down over time.

[HeijoshinCool]

Thanks for the ideas.

Invasive is the way to go, I think. I want it thick. Near where I live, the free stands of bamboo do indeed prevent animals from passing through. Amazingly thick and tight.

But what I need to know is, what is the procedure to harvest it from the area where it's free? I'm not going to buy pots of it (where I live there aren't shops anyway) so I need to learn how to harvest successfully. Just dig upthe new shoots and stick in my ground?

[HeijoshinCool]

Don't know the varieties myself, but there's a condo near me that put in a small forest of the stuff around the walking paths at the property boundaries, obviously not from seedlings, as in less than five years now it really is cool quiet and dark in there, 10+ m high and widely spaced gives a great atmosphere really beautiful place to hang out and read comfortable even on a sunny day.

IMO better to use a less invasive variety and have to actively put it where you want it. Will cost a bit more and take longer to get fully established but at least not be a problem growing worse and worse forever into the future - any man-made barriers eventually break down, I've seen the stuff split up concrete within a pretty sort time and steel/tin/zinc in the ground obviously breaks down over time.

It's is a great cooler and the sound it makes in the breeze is relaxing.

[tinfoilhat]

bamboo can be funny, it either thrives or dies in my experience.

at my house, they same variety of bamboo in one area is like 5 m tall, 3 mtrs away it has barely caught after 3 years

[Bluetongue]

From what I've heard cutting bamboo from public land is very frowned upon. I dont see anyone transpanting the shoots or sprouts, any that we have grown around here has come from mature pieces cut into three or four feet lengths and then planted at a 45 degree angle. New shoots then rise from the gnarly joiner bits in between the smooth trunk sections. Its not a 100% strike rate.

[HeijoshinCool]

From what I've heard cutting bamboo from public land is very frowned upon. I dont see anyone transpanting the shoots or sprouts, any that we have grown around here has come from mature pieces cut into three or four feet lengths and then planted at a 45 degree angle. New shoots then rise from the gnarly joiner bits in between the smooth trunk sections. Its not a 100% strike rate.

Not public land, private land where the owners have given permission to take all I want. Apparently, in their minds, if you don't pay for building materials, you are poor and I guess, lose face. Even my recycling wood, which is very old, hard and full of character, is being laughed at.

So, all I need is to cut lengths and bury in the ground at 45 degrees and it will grow? Is that for any variety, you think?

I'd like to "transplant" some as a "living fence," and cut some (lots of 3-5" stalks available) to build a fence like shown in the attached photo.

PHOTOS:

[jonnyscot]

Hi, firstly I'm no expert but just finished planting some bamboo plants a few months back, now most are 3+ mtrs tall already, in addition we've also started a wee sampling area of a live fence,, with a different type of bamboo, the type we've used for the fence is called (according to the wife) pai bung wan,, it's been planted for nearly 8 months and I'd guess one plant has produced 4 sticks that are alteady over 3 mtr tall, I would say each plant has already produced 3or4 more shoots in addition to the taller ones at a spread of over 1 mtr wide,,

If you plan in taking from the new shoots of the plants you saw I would think you'd have a better chance of success if they're at least 3 or 4 months old rather than picking the younger ones,

I would have thought if you asked around you'll find someone that's growing bamboo plants who'll be happy to sell the bamboo sticks to you and give you some good planting advice too,

Jonny

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[jonnyscot]

I think if you're planning in taking cutting from the stick I'd suggest to fill small poly bags with a good handful of compost, tie off the bags to the base of the branch at the join to the tree and leave for three months to encourage root growth from the branch the roots should then grow into the compost bag and thereafter be ready for planting,,,

Jonny

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[tinfoilhat]

in the pic you have two very different kinds of bamboo in the two pics. I have only found stuff like the one in the second pic where the lower part of the stalk is bare, but the top has lush foliage. the type in the first pic i would love to find to us as a privacy screen beside my fence which can be eeasily seen through via holes in the ornamental brickwork

[1bbcd5]

Good thread, I always like them.

[HeijoshinCool]

Hi, firstly I'm no expert but just finished planting some bamboo plants a few months back, now most are 3+ mtrs tall already, in addition we've also started a wee sampling area of a live fence,, with a different type of bamboo, the type we've used for the fence is called (according to the wife) pai bung wan,, it's been planted for nearly 8 months and I'd guess one plant has produced 4 sticks that are alteady over 3 mtr tall, I would say each plant has already produced 3or4 more shoots in addition to the taller ones at a spread of over 1 mtr wide,,

If you plan in taking from the new shoots of the plants you saw I would think you'd have a better chance of success if they're at least 3 or 4 months old rather than picking the younger ones,

I would have thought if you asked around you'll find someone that's growing bamboo plants who'll be happy to sell the bamboo sticks to you and give you some good planting advice too,

Jonny

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Thanks for the info.

I've lived all over Thailand. If you think "face" is important where you are, come here. It is extreme. When I talk with fellow teachers (They being Thai) and tell them my plans, sneers -- yes, sneers -- actually erupt. On the one teacher, her's is so severe -- a severe sneer -- that her lip begins to quiver from fatigue.

I have hundreds of bags of beach glass with which I'll make terrazo tops for the kitchen.

SNEER

I have these amazingly beautiful pieces of teak driftwood, aged with enormous character, I'll use for door pulls or posts.

SNEER

Stained concrete floors throughout.

WHAT, NO GLOSSY SLIPPERY CERAMIC?

SNEER.

Sadly, no one feels bamboo is anything but trash to be burned. I've watched a dozen rai knocked down and burned, not a stick used, to make way for rubber.

[HeijoshinCool]

in the pic you have two very different kinds of bamboo in the two pics. I have only found stuff like the one in the second pic where the lower part of the stalk is bare, but the top has lush foliage. the type in the first pic i would love to find to us as a privacy screen beside my fence which can be eeasily seen through via holes in the ornamental brickwork

What I have seen here is either the massive, 5" wide by 50 feet tall variety, or the variety in the second photo. I'd also like to find the first.

[tinfoilhat]

same here, the 5 meter tall stuff.

[Bluetongue]

From what I've heard cutting bamboo from public land is very frowned upon. I dont see anyone transpanting the shoots or sprouts, any that we have grown around here has come from mature pieces cut into three or four feet lengths and then planted at a 45 degree angle. New shoots then rise from the gnarly joiner bits in between the smooth trunk sections. Its not a 100% strike rate.

Not public land, private land where the owners have given permission to take all I want. Apparently, in their minds, if you don't pay for building materials, you are poor and I guess, lose face. Even my recycling wood, which is very old, hard and full of character, is being laughed at.

So, all I need is to cut lengths and bury in the ground at 45 degrees and it will grow? Is that for any variety, you think?

I'd like to "transplant" some as a "living fence," and cut some (lots of 3-5" stalks available) to build a fence like shown in the attached photo.

PHOTOS:

The type we have grown appears to be the same as your photo 2, the much wider variety people seem to plant straight in, not 45 degree. nurseries that sell it usually have pieces that have started to shoot already so ask one of them how they did that. But yes would be my short answer

[HeijoshinCool]

From what I've heard cutting bamboo from public land is very frowned upon. I dont see anyone transpanting the shoots or sprouts, any that we have grown around here has come from mature pieces cut into three or four feet lengths and then planted at a 45 degree angle. New shoots then rise from the gnarly joiner bits in between the smooth trunk sections. Its not a 100% strike rate.

Not public land, private land where the owners have given permission to take all I want. Apparently, in their minds, if you don't pay for building materials, you are poor and I guess, lose face. Even my recycling wood, which is very old, hard and full of character, is being laughed at.

So, all I need is to cut lengths and bury in the ground at 45 degrees and it will grow? Is that for any variety, you think?

I'd like to "transplant" some as a "living fence," and cut some (lots of 3-5" stalks available) to build a fence like shown in the attached photo.

PHOTOS:

The type we have grown appears to be the same as your photo 2, the much wider variety people seem to plant straight in, not 45 degree. nurseries that sell it usually have pieces that have started to shoot already so ask one of them how they did that. But yes would be my short answer

Thanks. Only nursery within 3 or 4 hours of here grows kids, not plants. But I'l whack off a piece or two of each and experiment.

[loong]

Thanks. Only nursery within 3 or 4 hours of here grows kids, not plants. But I'l whack off a piece or two of each and experiment.

Not a good idea to use the words "Kids" and "whack off" in the same paragraph

Sorry - couldn't resist it

[HeijoshinCool]

Thanks. Only nursery within 3 or 4 hours of here grows kids, not plants. But I'l whack off a piece or two of each and experiment.

Not a good idea to use the words "Kids" and "whack off" in the same paragraph

Sorry - couldn't resist it

Well, at least I didn't use them in the same sentence.

Like you.

[cooked]

I cultivated bamboo in Switzerland (of all places) for a few years. Selling invasive bamboo to customers, despite my warnings generally resulted in follow up jobs a few years later: the stuff grew into the neighbors' lawn, 5 meters away, went into cellars through any available opening (cracks, windows), and took easily two to three years to get rid of. I was witness at one court case.

http://bamboosthailand.blogspot.com/

You need clumping bamboo which is what the Thais generally plant -pachymorph. I am constantly happy to be able to go out and collect some stems for some bodge job around the garden but I only possess two. The leptomorphs are to be avoided like the plague. Our Dendrocalamus gets to about 15 meters high and we have to check whether they are bending over towards the house, TV aerial and electricity lines. Bamboo grubs may attack them (Yum!) and hollow them out, I beat a rapid retreat recently when I saw what looked like a krait in a dried out branch that I wanted, I was up a ladder.

There are plenty of varieties that don't get so high.

Think about it! I will be planting Bougainvillea.

[The Pundit]

bamboo can be funny, it either thrives or dies in my experience.

at my house, they same variety of bamboo in one area is like 5 m tall, 3 mtrs away it has barely caught after 3 years

Maybe that's where the bodies are?

[cooked]

bamboo can be funny, it either thrives or dies in my experience.

at my house, they same variety of bamboo in one area is like 5 m tall, 3 mtrs away it has barely caught after 3 years

Maybe that's where the bodies are?

I often suspect that someone changed the engine oil of his tractor at a certain spot, nothing will grow there.

[jacktrip]

buy a premade bamboo fencing and plant bamboo along it. looks great (blends in) and privacy without the wait. also good animal barrier.

its made from split bamboo stalk, not whole canes.

[HeijoshinCool]

I cultivated bamboo in Switzerland (of all places) for a few years. Selling invasive bamboo to customers, despite my warnings generally resulted in follow up jobs a few years later: the stuff grew into the neighbors' lawn, 5 meters away, went into cellars through any available opening (cracks, windows), and took easily two to three years to get rid of. I was witness at one court case.

http://bamboosthailand.blogspot.com/

You need clumping bamboo which is what the Thais generally plant -pachymorph. I am constantly happy to be able to go out and collect some stems for some bodge job around the garden but I only possess two. The leptomorphs are to be avoided like the plague. Our Dendrocalamus gets to about 15 meters high and we have to check whether they are bending over towards the house, TV aerial and electricity lines. Bamboo grubs may attack them (Yum!) and hollow them out, I beat a rapid retreat recently when I saw what looked like a krait in a dried out branch that I wanted, I was up a ladder.

There are plenty of varieties that don't get so high.

Think about it! I will be planting Bougainvillea.

Thanks. I'll Google your Latin and see if I can identify. I don't want the tall stuff, uh-uh.

Pretty sure snakes will climb booger villas, too, huh?

[cooked]

Snakes will get over a 3 meter high wall if your neighbour has planted something 3 meters and 10 cm high...