Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bamboo

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David
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Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bamboo

Post by David »

Good morning All,

I have inter-planted parvifolia as a companion crop for bambusoides which is not hardy here in Middle Tennessee.
My hope is that the added mass of parvifolia will protect the bambusoides enough that it can reach maturity.
My goal is to harvest timber from the bambusoides. It is difficult to see in the picture but I have planted parvi on the north,
and west sides of the grove which is the direction of our coldest weather. The parvi plants are marked with a pink ribbon.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by NobeyamaGP »

Interesting idea. I'm hopeful for you since I live on a border of 6a/6b in southern Indiana and would love to plant some of the more marginal varieties as well. I'm not expecting to be able to grow Bambusoides up here, but it would be useful to know if it works.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by David »

I figure we will know something in 8 - 10 years.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by needmore »

David, greetings, hope y'all are well. How is your Lithophylla for timber projects? Has your Bambusoides wintered over at all?
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by David »

Hey Brad
We are all doing well and hope you are too. The lithophila wood is seasoned and ready to work, seems really strong. It's just a matter of making time to do it.
I'm going to cut a few more canes this fall. Funny story- we had a lightening storm a few weeks ago. I had a 20' lithophila pole leaned up in an oak tree curing. Lightening struck several trees killing some and when I looked in the morning it had struck the litho pole and just shattered it. We were in the basement and heard it blow up. I had big plans for that pole.

The bambusoides has made it through some of the mild winters but always with top burn. It has died to the ground a couple of times too.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by needmore »

That sounds like a pretty exciting storm, too bad it ruined a nice pole. Do you have Phy makinoi?
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by David »

Yes, I've got makinoi. Its been slow to size up and spread. The biggest culm is about 2" X 20'. Shows some burn during our normal winters but the culms survive. Have you had any experience with it?
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by needmore »

Mine was hardier than many others, would seem to hang in to 0F or a tad below but I recall that those culms were the toughest to cut down and perhaps it would make nice lumber?
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by David »

David Farrelly notes that they are used for construction, and scaffolding in Taiwan. I'll cut some of the older canes to cure and see how they do.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by fredgpops »

Used Madake to build two benches back in 2014. Bamboo glued on cement blocks using gorilla glue. Sanded bamboo before glue then coated with urethane.
Year 3 re-coated prior to winter but switched to marine spar varnish. Covered with tarp in winter. Status 2019 - glue still holding, 3 small pcs replaced due to water damage, some bamboo has cracked but I inserted gorilla glue and refinished. Builder of bamboo surf boards suggests leaving natural wax on. Replaced 3 pcs without sanding but coating with varnish. Have found Madake to be a good base for projects but takes a lot more time and eye balling than normal carpentry. Lots of redo so be patient. Hard for me to predict what will happen in cold winter areas. I think leaving the natural wax would be preferable. Sanding decreases the size of the wall.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by fredgpops »

Photo of bench 2019 - 5 years old. Just added 2 coats of marine varnish. Prepped with steel wool to cut down bamboo wall loss. Filled cracks with gorilla glue and sanded. Interesting colors and grains as bamboo ages. Cracks are increasing but most are narrow. A few small areas showing signs of deterioration. Note mask made from bamboo - purchased in HK.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by fredgpops »

Close up of changes in coloration and grain. Also shows narrow crack requiring repair.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by needmore »

Looks great Fred, I think my butt met that bench once.
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by fredgpops »

Butt - yes. The same day you broke the record for bamboo inside a small car. Good thing the cops were asleep. Rgds
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Re: Parvifolia as a Companion Crop for less Hardy Timber Bam

Post by fredgpops »

Ph. bambusoides Madake - photo of wall. What are the round things?
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