Chapter 16. Bamboo

Bamboo grows all over the tropics. It is a plant that provides many different products, fulfils many functions and generates income in many different ways. It also grows very quickly, and reaches maturity and usefulness much quicker than most trees. One of the most important functions of bamboo is that it can replace much of the need for wood, and can be harvested every year instead of only once.

The process of correctly growing and managing bamboo clumps is the first step to producing high quality culms (poles) and shoots that are easy to harvest. This chapter describes how to grow, manage, harvest, cure and use bamboo as part of a permaculture system and for maximising its huge potential.

Contents include:

• Bamboo
• The yearly bamboo cycle
• Bamboo propagation
• Where to grow bamboo for the best results
• How to grow high quality bamboo culms
• How to harvest high quality bamboo culms
• Bamboo products
• Bamboo farm products and functions