Bamboo

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Bamboo is from the group of evergreen plants. It has powerful smooth stems, but does not belong to the trees, but is part of the kingdom of herbaceous plants. It is usually huge in size, but belongs to the family Poaceae, forming a separate subfamily (Bambusoideae). This genus of grasses includes about 50 genera with over 700 species. The original homeland of bamboo is from the tropics and subtropics, in Asia, Africa and America. Bamboo grows in dense extensive communities, often forming forests. Bamboo can be found even in the Himalayas, at very high altitudes - up to 4500 meters.

In China and the Far East, bamboo has been ingrained in traditions and all walks of life for millennia. Bamboo had (and still has) a multifunctional application - it accompanied people throughout their life cycle, serving as food, weapons, medicine, for writing bamboo scrolls on early written records, paper, musical instruments, toys, gazebos, bridges, irrigation canals, fences, furniture, flooring, lanterns, tableware, hats, shoes, boats and what not. From bamboo to this day, household items and crafts are made, such as furniture and flooring. Historically, works of art have been made on bamboo - classical drawings, calligraphy and poetry.

Along with the chrysanthemum, plum and orchid, bamboo was designated by the ancient Chinese sages as one of the four noble plants. Pine, bamboo and plum were called the "three friends for winter" because they were the only ones that best withstood the cold gusts of winter wind. Bamboo was valued primarily for its health, longevity, endurance, flexibility, forward, upward and stepwise growth, simplicity, honesty, and spiritual upliftment.

Bamboo is a monocarp plant, ie it blooms unpredictably only once in its life and dies after flowering. Flowering is a rare phenomenon - some species bloom at 30 - 32 years, others - at 60, even at 100 years of age. The flowers are small, hidden in the axils of the leaves and almost invisible or gathered in large paniculate inflorescences. The sudden flowering of bamboo forests is considered an exceptional event, and portends relief from hunger, as the numerous bamboo seeds are not inferior to rice in taste.

Types of bamboo

Among the important species of bamboo are those of the genera Dendrocalamus, Phyllostachys, Shibataea, Pseudosasa, Sinarundinaria, Pleioblastus, Bamboo, Arundinaria. There are over 1000 species of bamboo, and there are more than 400 species in China. The bamboo that pandas eat is of the Fargesia species. It is particularly hard and small in diameter and is not used for other production purposes.

Application of bamboo

Bamboo is widely used in cooking. It is used as an ingredient in the preparation of fish, meat and vegetable dishes. Bamboo seeds resemble rice in taste and nutritional properties.

The fabrics of bamboo are very popular mainly because of the antibacterial properties they possess. As bamboo grows, it needs very little or almost no pesticides. Scientists have found that this valuable quality is due to the presence of an anti-bacterial bio-agent called "bamboo henna". Bamboo henna is deeply embedded in bamboo cells, which is why it lasts so long in bamboo fabric.

Growing bamboo

Most species reproduce by dividing the rhizome, but there are also those that bloom and bear fruit. Bamboo <can withstand sub-zero temperatures and loves moisture. Bamboo is known to be one of the fastest growing plants on earth. Some species grow by more than 100 cm per day and reach 40 meters. In Japan, bamboo grows, called "madake" (Phyllostachys bambusoides). Its stems grow in 24 hours by almost 120 cm. The highest height is reached by the Burmese bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus), which is common in India and Burma. Its tree-like stems extend to a spectacular height of 40 meters with a diameter of only 20-30 cm, reaching significant sizes.

The root system of bamboo allows the plant to recover on its own after cutting down the ground part, which makes it indispensable as a fast-renewable resource. Bamboo forests emit up to 35% more oxygen than an identical array of other trees. Sowing of desolate areas with bamboo it can be a powerful weapon in the fight against global warming.

The ordinary bamboo in natural habitats it grows up to 25 m, but grown indoors, reaches a height of about 30-45 cm. The young shoots and seeds are used in modern cuisine, and in their core contains sweet juice - known as bamboo sugar.

Bamboo grows on moist soil and bright sun in summer and in winter in drier habitats protected from wind. Bamboo is a winter-hardy plant that can withstand up to minus 12-14 degrees, and in short frosts it can withstand up to minus 25 degrees. Bamboo is found even in our country, along the Veleka River. All bamboo plants enjoy a lot of moisture and sun. The stems are hollow and nodular, and its narrow linear leaves are about 10 cm long.

Growing bamboo at home

Some types of bamboo are wonderful ornamental plants. They are valued for their essential greenery, thanks to which bamboo combines well with large-leaved plants. The cultivation of bamboo at home is not difficult, but there are some rules. All types of bamboo need bright, cool and well-lit rooms. The plant is placed in bright diffused sunlight at a winter temperature of 12-16 degrees.

It is watered abundantly in the summer, and during the growing season the soil should not dry out. In winter, it is not necessary to water it so often. Bamboo tolerates dry air well, so it is not necessary to constantly spray the plant. Tall species need regular watering and feeding during the growing season. Transplant young plants every year, and older ones every 2-3 years.

In flower shops you can often see strange spirally wrapped plants with bare stems and a rosette of leaves on top. Sometimes the stems look like straight tubes and are sold tied in bundles. In both cases, the plants are called Lucky Bamboo. In fact, it is not bamboo, but one of the many varieties of dracena - dracena sanderiana.

Bamboo and Feng Shui

According to the philosophy of Feng Shui bamboo it should be placed in the eastern and southeastern parts of the home to attract good luck, prosperity, health and a life-giving influx of beneficial qi to the home. In the garden, bamboo should be planted in the eastern part of the garden to bring health and longevity, to provide an influx of positive energy to the home. According to feng shui, hollow bamboo stems also have a strong protective function against the negative effects of the environment. They are able to transform adverse influences into favorable ones or completely neutralize us.

Another symbolism of bamboo

In Japanese culture, the plant symbolizes prosperity, peace and longevity. In addition, bamboo is a symbol of the Confucian principle of filial respect for parents. Bamboo according to Zen Buddhism embodies the male will and steadfastness, because the plant does not break and is very strong. Bamboo is part of the symbolism of philosophical and religious currents. It is an attribute of some of the Taoist immortals, the Buddhist goddess of mercy Guanin, a symbol of filial love in the Confucian paradigm, and according to the philosophy of feng shui, bamboo and bamboo objects are considered extremely beneficial to human energy.