This page is dedicated to things I have learned about bamboo. Most of the information is based on "what is growing at the Bamboo Nut Farm". Enjoy...

Welcome to Bamboo Nut FUN FACTS!

• Bamboos are giant, woody grasses which put out several full length, full diameter, naturally pre-finished, ready-to-use culms ("stems") each year. A single bamboo clump can produce up to 15 kilometres of usable pole (up to 30 cm in diameter) in its lifetime.
• The taxonomy of the bamboo remains poorly understood, though the general consensus seems to be that bamboo numbers between 60 and 90 genera with 1,100 to 1,500 species.
• Bamboo is the most diverse group of plants in the grass family, and the most primitive sub-family. It is distinguished by a woody culm, complex branching, a generally robust rhizome system and infrequent flowering.
• Over one billion people in the world live in bamboo houses.
• The world trade in bamboo and rattan is currently estimated at 5 billion US dollars every year.
• The fastest growing woody plant on this planet. It grows one third faster than the fastest growing tree.
• Some species can grow up to 1 meter per day.
• Bamboo that looks the best on the farm on 3/17/2007 - Bambusa Beecheyana "pubescens" (through the winter with least damage)
• Bamboo that looks the worst on the farm on 3/17/2007 - Guadua Angustifolia (through the winter with most damage... no freezing temps, but did a have a brief frost on 2/27/2007 with temps around 38F)
• First shoot 2/2007 - Bambusa Lako
• Largest diameter bamboo as of 3/2007 - Bambusa Bambos
• Thinnest culm wall of all bamboo as of 3/2007 - Schizostachyum Brachycladum
• Easiest to propagate - Bambusa Vulgaris (includes "vittata", "wamin", and standard form)
• Biggest leaves as of 3/2007 - Dendrocalamus giganteus "Quail clone" (19 inches long x 4.75 inches wide)
• Newest bamboo as of 3/2007 - Gigantochloa Sumatra
• "Can't wait to see how they do... for 2007" - D. Giganteus "Quail", Parker's Giant, D. Minor, B. Emeiensis "viridiflavus", D. Asper "Betung Hitam", B. Bambos, B. Beecheyana "pubescens"
• Donated first bamboo cuttings to Dharma Vana Arboretum 3/2007
• Donated B. Beecheyana "pubescens" and B. Heterostachya "Taiwan variegated" to ABS Auction in 2005
• Donated B. Lako and B. Eutuldoides "viridi vittata" to ABS Auction in 2006