Bamboo Hobby

Part of my creative Square Watermelon "heritage" is planting bamboo as a hobby in Canada.  The plant is not native to this country of moose and polar bears, but there is one corner of the vast land where bamboo can do well.

I would first like to say that although I got lots of satisfaction observing and planting bamboo, the most set of enjoyment came from interacting with people in a network in which the American Bamboo Society (ABS) play an important part.

This association is quite active, at least the Pacific Northwest Chapter, holding conferences and meetings in many cities and regions – from Oregon to British Columbia.  In one of my earlier years with the association I took the opportunity to import the giant bamboo, Robert Young (Phyllostachys viridis) from growers in Oregon who deliver them on their way to a Vancouver meet.

It was an exciting time because there weren’t many giant bamboos in the Vancouver area and that I was curious to know if will grow in this far north region.  But it did!  It took a few years to mature and reach its full state of growth.  I am told by my sister who still lives in the property where it was first planted, that it’s about forty five high and about three and a half inches in diameter.  It could very well be one of the tallest and largest bamboos in B.C.

The plants were planted within 20 feet of a stream in the backyard on a slight slope where there is a constant flow of water.  Although I don’t believe the soil is best-suited for bamboo (which prefers a sandier makeup) it still does a good job nourishing and aerating the plants.  On one occasion I observed a bamboo shoot grew 9 inches over a 24 hour period.   Yes, they grow very fast.  Unlike most trees, the shoots grow to their full height fairly fast then the structure matures, becoming very hard even though it remains relatively light in weight.

Closer to the stream was a small grove of black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra).  The matured canes were very hard, sturdy, and jet black.  It is amazing how intensely black it can get.  I tried a couple times to “tame” this variety by putting them in pots to be made into indoor plants but didn’t succeed, to my disappointment.  I know it can be done because I see them in plant stores.  Oh, well, perhaps I’ll get the opportunity to do it again some day.

Also in the backyard was the common (but beautiful) golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aureo).  Its grove provided a cool shade during the hot summer months, and the wavelike swaying of the leaves in the wind created a soothing, relaxing sensation in the mind.  Our elderly neighbor, Arthur, admitted he sat for long periods of time in his backyard enjoying the peaceful motions of this grove in the breeze.

Kudos to the environmental movements in B.C.  They have fought (and are still fighting) to preserve the natural environment of the streams so that various Pacific salmon species can find clean rivers in which to spawn, as they have been doing for millennia.  Dividing Arthur’s property and the bamboo groves was a small stream where we can still find spawning salmon – the smaller Coho type.  However, three blocks away bordering Bear Creek Park (Surrey, B.C.) we can find 10-25 pound salmon varieties.

It’s truly amazing how in the heart of very populated neighborhoods we can still observe nature at work.  Long live a healthy environment!

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