plant

Bamboo plantations exist in many parts of the world. They are maintained for
shoot production, timber production, nursery stock and a variety of new and
evolving products. Because of its unique structure and growing habits, bamboo
plantations must be managed in a much different manner than traditional
forestry or agricultural plantations. There are also important differences
between the management of "clumping" bamboo and "running" bamboo
plantations. Shoot production is currently the most popular and profitable
plantation option. The following presentation will explain some of the practices
and procedures of this industry.

"Moso" bamboo is grown in large plantations and managed forests in China and
Japan. When managed properly, the plantations can produce several tons of
fresh shoots per hectare every year. Although able to grow in areas of low
fertility, maximum yield is produced in areas with fertile soils and abundant
rainfall. Culms over five or six years old should be removed. Removal of culms
must occur at or slightly below the ground surface. Failure to do is can allow
water to collect in culm stubble. As the stubble breaks down, fungi and other
pathogens can easily enter the living rhizomes and infect other culms.

Examples of both a well-managed and a
non-managed plantations. Notice that
in the first picture culms are well
spaced and thinned while in the second
spacing is erratic and older culms have
not been removed.

Dendrocalamus asper, a popular
plantation bamboo in tropical
climates, showing five years worth
of culms. After the shooting
season, the plant should be
thinned.

Another important aspect of plantation management is appropriate spacing.
Although different for every specie, each grove must be thinned to maximize
light and energy used by each culm. Chinese scientists have recently shown
that as much as two thirds of the leaf area in a bamboo grove uses more energy
than it produces, if light is restricted due to overgrowth. Other important
consideration is the regulation of shoot harvesting. Anywhere between 20% and
50% of new shoot should be allowed to reach maturity. This ensures the
strength and the future energy production of the plant. In clumping bamboo this
can be calculated as a number of columns per plant. In running bamboo, this is
usually calculated as the average number of columns per square meter.

Grove maintenance requires easy access for
workers and vehicles to remove debris.
After the shooting season has finished,
workers should cut and stack old columns
for eventual processing or use.

Easy access pathways allow bamboo
harvesting without harm to other culms
or shoots. Adequate water and mulch
materials can increase production and
induce additional shooting periods.

The Health of the plantation can be greatly improved with adequate harvesting
and maintenance access. Workers should be able to move around easily in the
grove to extract culms and shoots. Water, fertilizer, insect control and soil
additives should be closely regulated. In shoot production, the addition of
organic material and water can induce an additional shooting several months
after the season has finished. Proper growth maintenance also insurers
relatively little problems with insects or dangerous pathogens.

A small grove of running bamboo is allowed to
increase in size by allowing it to grow in areas
left unattended. Over time, the rhizomes will
fill the area and produced new culms. Quite
quickly the area will be undistinguishable
from the original grove.

New plants from culm cuttings of
a tropical, clumping bamboo. One
of many ways to propagate
bamboo. Modern techniques can
cover a mountainside in a very
short time.

A bamboo plantation can be started quite quickly, but will require 5 or more
years to reach maturity. There are many ways to obtain plants in sufficient
quantities. Seeds are available of some species, but can be difficult to acquire,
quite variable in manifested traits, have a low germination rate and a very short
lifespan. Traditional methods have included rhizome cuttings, one and two node
culm cuttings, branch cuttings and entire culm plantings. Within the last few
years scientists have been able to develop tissue culture practices which now
provide large amounts of plants for a relatively inexpensive price. These plants
are identical to the parent plant and can be selected for specific traits.