bamboo, how come they are so expensive?
|
Author |
Message |
spider Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 63 Location: west ireland
|
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject: bamboo, how come they are so expensive? |
|
|
Was thinking of planting some bamboo ,sort of oriental garden in the long term
There is some lovely color on some of them and they grow fast .Now my question is , how come they are so expensive ,i mean 65 euro and more for a plant that supposedely grows in half the world . Any info ??
Edited by moderator to add descriptive title............... poster see rule 11 http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about27.html |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
|
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It comes down in some part to labour, I suppose.
Bamboo is not renowned for producing seed, so it is usually propagated by division or by culm (stem) cuttings, both take time.
Plus Bamboo is trendy now, you pay a premium for trendiness.  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
danmac Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Kerry
|
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: | Plus Bamboo is trendy now, you pay a premium for trendiness.  |
That's very true, all the hardwood flooring ads on our local radio at the moment are advertising bamboo flooring. There's even a bamboo chopping board for sale in the weekly offers from a well known discount supermarket this week. It must make really hard timber if left to grow. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
inishindie Rank attained: Tree plantation keeper

Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 563 Location: inishowen Ireland
|
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: Bamboo clothing |
|
|
Hi
I have just bought some new bamboo socks.....They weren't expensive at all
Bamboo underwear is pretty good too...... The bamboo pulp is made into viscose.
I know I am changing the subject here but I will continue.......
Bamboo clothing is the new kid on the block. It was first developed around 2001 and is produced by pulping bamboo like wood.
It's the fastest growing plant in the world, because of it's ability to absorb water, which is retained permanently in fabric form, making it a natural moisture wicking fabric. Viscose is a polymer made from wood pulp but it is much easier to create. It's also antibacterial, which also helps its colonising growth pattern and this is also retained permanently in fabric form, so it stays fresher and more hygienic. Bamboo has a massive yield per acre when grown wild and doesn't need any pesticides or fertilizers. Bamboo is also pretty much the softest fabric imaginable, as soft as silk. It is highly breathable, and bamboo keeps you cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold than normal fabrics because of its unique capillary structure. A natural successor to all the oil based performance fabrics, it's also good for casual wear. It is normally mixed with 30% cotton to help keep its proper structure. Bamboo clothing is also anti static, which means it doesn't stick to you on a hot day. Its microstructure shows completely smooth fibres, not the usual jagged edges. With the softness, the moisture wicking ability and its natural coolness in the heat, bamboo clothing is very comfortable in the heat. It's also just about the warmest winter thermal, so pretty handy... _________________ if you are interested in raised vegetable beds and veggie growing I have a new website - raisedbeds.net We're busy on social networking too and have over 12,000 members in the group. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Prudence Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Posts: 44 Location: West of Ireland
|
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Not applicable to Ireland but a bamboo grove is the safest place to be in an earthquake
Sue |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
sal Rank attained: Sessile Oak Tree

Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 286 Location: kerry
|
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
what with the changes in the weather this year, best start planting that bamboo now then by the time it turns into a grove we might need it,  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
|
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Bamboo underwear...... Have you not had any problems with splinters inishindie.
A bamboo grove is the safest place to be in an earthquake, how so Prudence? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Prudence Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Posts: 44 Location: West of Ireland
|
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
GPI wrote: | A bamboo grove is the safest place to be in an earthquake, how so Prudence? |
It is widely recognized that bamboo is especially useful in seismic regions, thanks to an internal structure that gives it unusual strength and resilience. In The Book of Bamboo, David Farrelly writes about the value of bamboo in
creating a safe quake zone: "Dense growth of bamboo around a building functions in the soil as windbreaks act in air: Rhizomes buffer the blow and diminish the intensity of motion. Widely planted in any quake zone, bamboo
absorbs much of the earth's ripple.
Sue |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
inishindie Rank attained: Tree plantation keeper

Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 563 Location: inishowen Ireland
|
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject: Hi |
|
|
Hi GPI
The bamboo pants are a luxury. I was brought up with undies made from potato sacking....... now that's itchy.
As Prudence just said, bamboo absorbs much of the earths ripple........which is ideal for social occasions....
Cheers _________________ if you are interested in raised vegetable beds and veggie growing I have a new website - raisedbeds.net We're busy on social networking too and have over 12,000 members in the group. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
sal Rank attained: Sessile Oak Tree

Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 286 Location: kerry
|
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
he he he,that was funny |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bogota Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 14
|
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Have seen bamboo seeds advertised for sale on ebay. They do come with the warning that it could take 3 months to germinate - and that germination would be patchy.
Has anyone grown this way? I only need a few. How fast growing (or otherwise are they)?
(BTW, reason i'm looking at this option is simply cannot afford them at the moment but they will do a good job in providing my garden with privacy if planted right up against next door neighbours fence/back door. Can't think of anything else I could plant this close to the house and still get the height and screening without having future problems with roots damaging foundations (if it were trees), etc.) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
stevemc Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dublin
|
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
I bought 2 Humillis for 140 yoyos i really needed 5, maybe i will try and divide them in a few years when theyre bigger |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ormondsview Rank attained: Silver Birch Tree


Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 188 Location: Kenmare, Co. Kerry
|
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I put in some bamboo to act as a windbreak to the side of the house and it is growing slowly. There are some dwarf varieties, which are beside the water feature which, if they spread, I'll contain with rocks. If you listen to podcasts while working in your garden, here's one from the BBC on rats that invade in India from the bamboo which shelters them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2008/10/081027_rat_attack.shtml |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Protein Rank attained: Ash Tree


Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 240 Location: Clare
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Bamboo is trendy alright, L'Oreal are shoving into their products
http://www.rassad.com/product.php?productid=42613418
If you gullible enough to believe the m@larky, then you are definately worth it.
me _________________ "But no one puts flowers
On a flower's grave" - T Waits |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Protein Rank attained: Ash Tree


Joined: 05 May 2009 Posts: 240 Location: Clare
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Now here is a more positive use of bamboo. A lovely story.
Quote: | On the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, next year's crop of bicycles is being watered by Benjamin Banda. |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8125274.stm _________________ "But no one puts flowers
On a flower's grave" - T Waits |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|