permaculture

236 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

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Presentation : Bamboo propagation and uses

Method : Facilitator presentation, group brainstorm

Tools : Images of bamboo both growing and in use, large paper, markers

References : PC Book MOD 8 - Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo

Objective : Participants list bamboo uses and learn about growing bamboo

Bamboo is a plant that has many uses and functions. The facilitator can ask the

participants to help list all the uses for bamboo they can think of. Write their ideas on a

large piece of paper for reference. The following is a list of uses of bamboo that

the facilitator can use for stimulating the brainstorm if needed.

Bamboo can provide:

• An alternative to logging. • Furniture building materials.


• Income. • Food for people and animals.


• Fencing materials and living fences. • Building materials, which are:


• Musical instruments. - Fast growing.


• Windbreaks. - Resilient to earthquakes.


• Irrigation pipes. - In continuous supply.


• Bamboo charcoal for cooking. • Cooking containers.


• Plant containers. • Storage containers.


• And much more.

Bamboo can be easily propagated, grown, and harvested at very low cost and using

mostly local resources. The method used depends on the type of bamboo and what the

bamboo will be used for. There are two main techniques for propagation of bamboo:

1. Rhizome propagation.


2. Culm cutting propagation.

With good management and harvesting techniques the quality of bamboo poles and

bamboo products can be improved.

Clump management involves: Pole harvesting includes:

1. Clump thinning. 1. Choosing the right species.


2. Branch pruning. 2. Cutting poles at the right age.


3. Marking and cutting new shoots. 3. Good times to harvest.


4. Creating bamboo plantations. 4. Pole curing and storage.


5. Preservation of poles.

See PC Book MOD 8 – Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo and other exercises in this

book for reference and ideas. There are several presentation and practical exercises later

in this module that cover these topics in detail.