Bamboo slats in the UK

The bamboo used really needs to be green.
The best bet is to plant some! It grows quickly enough.

how quick does giant bamboo grow, i know its a grass but i thought it would still take a few years in our wonderful climate

I'm not sure but I don't believe that "giant" bamboo -- Moso and similar species -- will grow in the English climate....

KenH wrote:

I'm not sure but I don't believe that "giant" bamboo -- Moso and similar species -- will grow in the English climate....

Well the stuff i'm growing certainly seems to be ok! I've got pseudosasa japonica growing very well indeed. It's just a case of selecting hardy varieties you don't need to grow mozo. I put it in a perfect place that nobody will ever find, deep valley, moist but well drained, sheltered from the wind but still getting plenty of sun. It grows big enough to be used as core slats although I planted it with the idea of getting arrow shafts.
The way I see it waiting a couple of years is well worth it. Where else can you get green bamboo in England?
I have also planted osage trees but they will take a little longer! I have many saplings growing in 'secret' places!

I appreciate all the posts in this forum... thanks everyone... Have a good day.




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Thanks Mike, if it grows in Durham it should grow down here in Wales, a friend of mine has a lot of land with a few patches of woodland might see if i can stick a couple in a nice sunny but shelterd spot. What size culms does the Arrow bamboo get to.

Gazzanoo wrote:

Thanks Mike, if it grows in Durham it should grow down here in Wales, a friend of mine has a lot of land with a few patches of woodland might see if i can stick a couple in a nice sunny but shelterd spot. What size culms does the Arrow bamboo get to.

Big enough for core slats? Doesn't sound like Pseudosasa Japonica to me. I have had Japonica for over 30 years, it will reach about 25mm on the largest culms and 5 metres in height.

Find a supplier if you are after bamboo for bow cores.

I didn't say that pseudosasa japonica will grow big enough for cores but that many bamboo species which would be suitable will grow in England.
If you can find a supplier of green bamboo then you are a lucky guy. The bamboo is shipped somewhat green but dries on the way across the sea. The only way to get green bamboo in the UK is either to grow your own or find somebody who can send it directly to you. However then you have the problem that it has to be fumigated so there art no bugs being transported with it. I have looked into it :)

According to everything I've read, and the bamboo growers I know, you don't really want "green" bamboo -- that is culms which have grown up this year. They only grown in height after sprouting, not diameter. Diameter growth occurs with the age of the stand. What people who work with bamboo most want is a 2-3 year old culm-- still alive but not new-grown. During the 2-3 years after sprouting, the culm hardens to its optimum strength.