Bamboo - how to use this versatile material

[campanula]

I work in a garden which has a huge amount of bamboo. I ignored this last year but it is now imperative that I do some radical thinning as there are many, many 15-20ft canes, some of which are over 2 inches in diameter. Bamboo is a fantastic material - light, strong, renewable (a grass on steroids) and I am determined to make the best use of this. Previously, I just used it for plant supports, but am wanting to be a bit more ambitious. And there is a lot of it. And so, I look to my forum mates to inspire me, encourage me and surprise me with expertise and innovation. Any/All ideas gratefully recieved.

 

[existentialist]

I laid the kitchen floor with bamboo-derived flooring. It was bloody good - I'd use it again.

 

[maomao]

I laid the kitchen floor with bamboo-derived flooring. It was bloody good - I'd use it again.

I put bamboo flooring in both my kids' rooms and it's great, but not easy to make your own, even with a garden full of the stuff.

 

[platinumsage]

In Hong Kong it's routinely used for scaffolding, even when constructing skyscrapers.

 

[existentialist]

I put bamboo flooring in both my kids' rooms and it's great, but not easy to make your own, even with a garden full of the stuff.

No, I was probably focusing on the "versatile uses" of the thread title rather than the specifics of the OP...

 

[Saul Goodman]

In Hong Kong it's routinely used for scaffolding, even when constructing skyscrapers.

It's amazing stuff. Better than steel scaffolding in the event of an earthquake, apparently.

 

[Edie]

You can buy toothbrushes made out of it now. Although whittling toothbrushes isn’t going to be a productive use of that much.

 

[existentialist]

campanula - given that most of the really versatile uses are probably going to require a scale of industrialisation that's beyond you, what about the craft market? Bamboo log baskets, door curtains (lots of 5cm bits of thin bamboo on (recycleable) string, etc.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

You can beat the fuel queues with a bamboo bike

 

[Supine]

How about cooking in it?

Rice Cooked in Bamboo Tubes, Bamboo Stuffed Rice

Guilin Rice Noodles is the most famous and popular local snack in Guilin. Check out rice noodle types, and where to eat Mifen.

www.chinahighlights.com

Can be lovely in my experience.

 

[8ball]

It's amazing stuff. Better than steel scaffolding in the event of an earthquake, apparently.
View attachment 291138

I know its my cultural bias, but that looks a bit scary to me.

 

[JuanTwoThree]

Master Garden Products Bamboo Arm Chair : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

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www.amazon.co.uk

Not claiming that I could do this, but it seems to use a fair bit of bamboo

is there such a thing as bamboo charcoal? Though it seems a shame.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Afraid of heights?

 

[l'Otters]

I saw bamboo scaffolding in southeast Asia, was amazing! It was for a temple not a skyscraper.

 

[8ball]

Afraid of heights?

My concern would be the braces and the amount of weight carried down to the lower levels.
Obviously they have solved these issues.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Afraid of heights?

I loved playing on scaffolding when I was a kid - that would be better as its not cold like steel.

 

[8ball]

I loved playing on scaffolding when I was a kid - that would be better as its not cold like steel.

Yeah, you could get so much higher on a cold day before fucking up and falling off it (been there and have the nose to prove it).

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Yeah, you could get so much higher on a cold day before fucking up and falling off it (been there and have the nose to prove it).

I never fell off - I was like a monkey as a kid, climbing up anything I could. Always loved heights.

 

[8ball]

I never fell off - I was like a monkey as a kid, climbing up anything I could. Always loved heights.

I was like a clumsy monkey. Though I did the nose by trying to ride a bike along the scaffolding.
Sharp corners...

 

[Ted Striker]

IME (I, too, am blessed with an abundance of it), the main use of trimmed bamboo, is to essentially lie along a secluded 'alleyway' (i.e. side of shed), to create a bamboo stockpile. A stockpile of this natural wonder-material, that one day will be the perfect thing to use, with the warm glow that it cost you nowt.

Sure, that purpose is not yet know.

The big reveal/secret, that it will not ever, until you sell your house (and you have to find a suitable means to get rid of 100 15ft canes) or take up gardening seriously.

 

[campanula]

It is amazing stuff. I have only lashed it together but am thinking of a collaboration with my youngest (a metal worker) because I am a bit shaky on attempting bamboo joints. I have always relied on timber (for things like pergolas, arbours or buildings) but am really keen to attempt a geodesic dome, if I can get my youngest to make the joining bits. Honestly, the size and girth of many of the canes is calling out for something a bit architectural. I am actually thinking along the lines of scaffolding...which utilises numerous connecting bits...and even thinking the diameter of some of the canes are equivalent to a scaff pole. I have done a fair bit of basket work but this relies on the flexibility of willow and, to a lesser extent, hazel...but given the structure of canes, it can only be bent if split...so maybe need to consider split-cane work.

Nothing much gets me more exciteable than free materials so I am desperate to use the cane crop in some stunning way...but am limited by my skills, at the moment.

 

[Ted Striker]

No, I was probably focusing on the "versatile uses" of the thread title rather than the specifics of the OP...

I have a couple of suggestions...But before I look stupid and suggest something inappropriate, can we confirm if the OP requires torturing someone really slowly, has a need for a blowpipe dart gun, or owns any Pandas?

 

[WouldBe]

I have always relied on timber (for things like pergolas, arbours or buildings) but am really keen to attempt a geodesic dome, if I can get my youngest to make the joining bits.

I was going to suggest a pergola or similar.

A geodesic dome sounds great if not difficult.

 

[campanula]

Things like geodesic domes have a certain stability inbuilt in the actual design (like A frames and other freestanding structures). Which is why I am thinking more along those lines...than things which require a lot of structural integrity or are dependent on clever joinery. (although this is a requirement for a dome). I never really got fully on board with using pallets but cannot bear the thought of chopping up all these really useful looking canes.

 

[danski]

Boring/functional stuff like racking or shelving?

 

[A380]

Get some friends together:

 

[RubyToogood]

Make your own fencing/screening? Use it to stabilise/terrace slopes and edge borders?

Pinterest is great for this sort of thing: 63 bamboo garden ideas | bamboo garden, garden design, backyard

 

[bellaozzydog]

I chopped a big stand of it down with a chainsaw for my friend in North Queensland

Top tip wear a hat long sleeves with rubber bands on the wrists, I got showered with free falling tree frogs and all sorts of heinous Armoured crawly critters

YouTube bamboo workshop plenty of amazing crafty ideas if you like using your hands (and feet)

 

[pug]

Tie them together with bale twine, double them up and offset the joints to make as long as you like.