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#1
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Drying bamboo?
I live in Southern California. My neighbor has had a "forest" of giant,
clumping bamboo growing in his yard for about 30 years. He is now re-landscaping his yard and getting rid of the beautiful bamboo. I've already got some of his "clumps" in my yard that I hope will grow strong. In any case, I now have a large number of cut bamboo poles from 1.5" to more than 5" across and 40'+ long. I have a number of future uses for these but I need to find the best way to dry. Would it be better to cut the poles to about 12' (I won't need anything this long) or should I try to dry in longer/shorter lengths? I have a large yard and can stack or stand. Is it better to dry horizontal or standing? Thanks in advance!! Al |
#2
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Al wrote:
I live in Southern California. My neighbor has had a "forest" of giant, clumping bamboo growing in his yard for about 30 years. He is now re-landscaping his yard and getting rid of the beautiful bamboo. I've already got some of his "clumps" in my yard that I hope will grow strong. In any case, I now have a large number of cut bamboo poles from 1.5" to more than 5" across and 40'+ long. I have a number of future uses for these but I need to find the best way to dry. Would it be better to cut the poles to about 12' (I won't need anything this long) or should I try to dry in longer/shorter lengths? I have a large yard and can stack or stand. Is it better to dry horizontal or standing? Thanks in advance!! Al I can't give you any expert advice, only my experience. I live in VA and the bamboo I've dried (max diameter about 3.5") did the best when I had it slung by ropes in an "open" shed. Something where it could stay dry yet had air circulation. It seemed to be harder,had a nice mellow color, and did not mold. I have a big peice, about 6.0" diameter that has stood upright in a bedroom closet for about 3 years and it is hard as a brick and looks good. I have some on the porch slung on ropes, about two peices per loop, but it is subject to colleratal damage from rain and it is still greenish, is flaking, and I will lose about a section from each end. (longest peice about nine feet) So I guess the best method is away from moisture as much as possible with opportunity for air circulation, stored horiziontal. My thinking on the ropes is that the bamboo can "go" where it wants to as it drys to whatever form it would take. hope this helps. mike |
#3
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In article , bouzouki
wrote: Al wrote: I live in Southern California. My neighbor has had a "forest" of giant, clumping bamboo growing in his yard for about 30 years. He is now re-landscaping his yard and getting rid of the beautiful bamboo. I've already got some of his "clumps" in my yard that I hope will grow strong. In any case, I now have a large number of cut bamboo poles from 1.5" to more than 5" across and 40'+ long. I have a number of future uses for these but I need to find the best way to dry. I also am no expert, as has been pointed out to me on other occasions, but I will still chip in my two cents worth. As Mike said, good air circulation is a must. If possible I always try to place fresh cut bamboo in the direct sunlight for several weeks. I also find that it seems to dry more quickly and evenly placed vertically. However never let the ends touch dirt. Number two... When I lived in Japan, I noticed that they often treat fresh bamboo with fire to bring out the resins and and harden it. If you run a torch over the stalk the resin will come to the surface and you can rub it back in. The heat pushes out moisture and the resin hardens the surface. EMS |
#4
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ems wrote:
In article , bouzouki wrote: Al wrote: I live in Southern California. My neighbor has had a "forest" of giant, clumping bamboo growing in his yard for about 30 years. He is now re-landscaping his yard and getting rid of the beautiful bamboo. I've already got some of his "clumps" in my yard that I hope will grow strong. In any case, I now have a large number of cut bamboo poles from 1.5" to more than 5" across and 40'+ long. I have a number of future uses for these but I need to find the best way to dry. I also am no expert, as has been pointed out to me on other occasions, but I will still chip in my two cents worth. As Mike said, good air circulation is a must. If possible I always try to place fresh cut bamboo in the direct sunlight for several weeks. I also find that it seems to dry more quickly and evenly placed vertically. However never let the ends touch dirt. Number two... When I lived in Japan, I noticed that they often treat fresh bamboo with fire to bring out the resins and and harden it. If you run a torch over the stalk the resin will come to the surface and you can rub it back in. The heat pushes out moisture and the resin hardens the surface. EMS That would make more sense, to dry it upright, if possible. After all it grows that way. and the resin thing is cool, I'll have to try it. thanks. |
#5
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Thank you for the great suggestions! I'm going to try some heat on a stick
or two this weekend. Al "bouzouki" wrote in message ... ems wrote: In article , bouzouki wrote: Al wrote: I live in Southern California. My neighbor has had a "forest" of giant, clumping bamboo growing in his yard for about 30 years. He is now re-landscaping his yard and getting rid of the beautiful bamboo. I've already got some of his "clumps" in my yard that I hope will grow strong. In any case, I now have a large number of cut bamboo poles from 1.5" to more than 5" across and 40'+ long. I have a number of future uses for these but I need to find the best way to dry. I also am no expert, as has been pointed out to me on other occasions, but I will still chip in my two cents worth. As Mike said, good air circulation is a must. If possible I always try to place fresh cut bamboo in the direct sunlight for several weeks. I also find that it seems to dry more quickly and evenly placed vertically. However never let the ends touch dirt. Number two... When I lived in Japan, I noticed that they often treat fresh bamboo with fire to bring out the resins and and harden it. If you run a torch over the stalk the resin will come to the surface and you can rub it back in. The heat pushes out moisture and the resin hardens the surface. EMS That would make more sense, to dry it upright, if possible. After all it grows that way. and the resin thing is cool, I'll have to try it. thanks. |
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