Bamboozled!

Luis showed us around his farm today and told us all about his crop of running bamboo (pictured here). He took us through this peaceful forest which apparently has more underground than above, as this bamboo species (all one, genetically speaking, as I understand it) puts out a gridwork of rhizomes underground which shoots out new bamboo canes every year. Luis only works with 5 year old canes as younger than this they are too flexible and older than this, they are too brittle. So he has to go through the forest and mark the babies (which are actually pretty easy to identify by their vibrant green color and smooth, "baby powder" texture.)

His workers cut the 5 year old cane only 3 days per month during the 5 months of the year when they won't damage the new canes coming in. They wait till night on a 3/4 moon as there's less starch in the canes and therefore less bugs- this way Luis doesn't have to use pesticides and fertilizers and such.

Once cut, the canes are washed and then torched to dry them out. They lose their green color and turn a golden-brown, and after being rubbed in a kerosene-soaked rag, they develop a brilliant shine, which is apparently some natural lubricant and sealant the cane produces- which also eliminates Luis's need for stains and insect treatments. Luis estimates his harvest at 10,000 canes per year (which is 20% or 1/5 of his forest) and he uses this to do decorative interior work in private homes (flooring, wall coverings, etc.) and also to create little crafts such as beach chairs, utensils and the like.

I'm pretty sure the students learned a lot (I know I did) and I KNOW they took down a lot of number data for their research here. They're trying to design an emergency housing facility out of the more sustainable and readily available bamboo, which can either be made into a permanent structure or be easily moved to a different location which may need it. Pretty cool stuff!