17 December 2024

Important information — ข้อมูลที่สำคัญ

Get first-hand information and updates on bamboo offered from this blog! — รับข้อมูลและอัพเดทเกี่ยวกับไม้ไผ่โดยตรงได้จากบล็อกนี้

Bamboo offered can be 

  • bamboo culms (stems), either pre-cut or to be harvested, 
  • living field-grown bamboo plants to be dug up (usually small propagules to dug up by plant division), 
  • culm cuttings and branch cuttings (propagules, seasonally available), 
  • potted bamboo plants (saplings, occasionally available), 
  • seedlings (from the ground or potted, rarely available), 
  • seeds and flowering branches containing seeds (rarely available), and 
  • palatable, young bamboo shoots for food (seasonally available).

15 December 2024

Bambusa boniopsis, ไผ่บอนนี (phai bonni): bamboo SAPLINGS for FREE

 — UPDATE 19 DEC. 2024: All 19 saplings were taken away; this bamboo is no longer available. —

Bambusa boniopsis: Culm with branches and leaves (left), one of the saplings (right)

Bambusa boniopsis (BS-0438) from China was recently propagated by plant division. 19 single-stem saplings were left and are offered free of charge.

This bamboo forms a dense clump with culms 3–6 m high and 1–2.5 cm in diameter. Its habit is V-shaped, with the lower culms branchless. This bamboo is good for privacy screening along property boundaries. The culms are quite strong and can be used to support climbers such as tomatoes.

These saplings should be planted instantly in the ground with normal garden soil or in pots or containers. They are easy to grow and prefer full sun or half shade.

19 November 2024

FREE field-grown bamboo PLANTS to dig up yourself



Bamboo PLANTS for free — ต้นไม้ไผ่หลายพันธุ์ ฟรี

— AVAILABILITY WAS CHECKED AND UPDATED FOR EACH POSTED SECTION ON 15 NOV. 2024: For details, please click the "Read more" link below. 

Field-grown bamboo plants of various species are offered for free if you dig them up yourself. We will guide you in digging up effectively and without arduous
 effort.
Anyone can get these plants for free: private individuals, including gardeners and nurserymen.

Tools:
Please consider getting yourself all the tools and other materials you need to dig up, divide, and transport the bamboo plants you want to receive for free. Here's what tools and other materials you will need: Click on the link to the "Horticultural Stuff" photo album and look at the first two photos, which show several appropriate hand tools. Some of these are essential for the less strenuous digging of bamboo plants. When you click on the photo, it will enlarge, and the text "Info" will appear on the right side of the image.
● A siam (เสียม) is essential for digging, e.g., #1, #2, or #11; the heavier(!) and stronger, the better.
● A short(!) sharp handsaw #9, mainly for sawing off the underground rhizome neck, is needed, at least for necks of the thicker rhizomes.
● Alternatively, the use of tools #12 and #6 together may be suitable for cutting off the rhizome neck instead of sawing it off.
● Any handsaw, e.g., #9, #10, #13, #14, #15, for shortening bamboo culms before digging up the propagule.
● Alternatively, bamboo culms can be cut with a sharp machete (#4), provided the culm diameter is not too large or the culm is not too strong.
● Big sacks are needed to store and transport the bamboo material. Avoid letting the roots dry out.
● If you transport bamboo on the open back of a pickup truck, you may need to cover the bamboo with a large tarp to protect roots, rhizomes, and leaves from sunlight and wind.

Here is an example of the excavation of a bamboo propagule step by step:
Division of a bamboo plant with strong pachymorph rhizomes.

Availability:
Bamboo plants of the species listed below are available at the date of publication or update, respectively. After this date, some species may be temporarily or permanently unavailable. However, other species will become available in 2025 that are not yet listed here.

The best time to dig and transplant bamboo is during the late dry season and the early rainy season (from April to May/June), but always before the bamboo shooting season, which varies depending on the species and can be any month from March to September. The species can be viewed by appointment any day during the daytime all year round. In addition, you will find detailed information on all species in the online monograph “The Bamboos of Thailand”.

10 November 2024

Schizostachyum brachycladum 'Bali Kuning', ไผ่ทอง (phai thong): bamboo SAPLINGS for FREE

 — UPDATE 19 DEC. 2024: 1 sapling is left and offered free of charge in Feb./Mar. 2025. —


Schizostachyum brachycladum 'Bali Kuning' (BS-0208), a tall yellow-stem variety, was recently propagated by plant division. They are planted in the ground but easy to dig out. Several two-stemmed saplings were left and are offered free of charge.

This bamboo forms a dense clump with erect culms up to 10 m high. It is one of the best ornamental or feature bamboos for gardens and is usually planted as a solitary.

Bambusa textilis var. gracilis, ไผ่กราซิลิส (phai krasilit): bamboo SAPLINGS for FREE

 — UPDATE 19 DEC. 2024: 2 saplings are left and offered free of charge in Feb./Mar. 2025. —


Bambusa textilis var. gracilis (BS-0243), a less tall variety of Bambusa texilis, was recently propagated by plant division. They are planted but easily dug out. Several two-stemmed saplings were left and are offered free of charge.

This bamboo forms a nearly dense clump with culms up to 8 m high. It is an ideal bamboo for privacy screening along property boundaries, but is also attractive and easy to grow as a solitary bamboo in the garden.

09 November 2024

Bamboo SEEDS and SEEDLINGS of the native Schizostachyum dullooa (Phai Hia, ไผ่เฮียะ) available FREE of charge

 A single bamboo plant (BS-0398) called Phai Hia (ไผ่เฮียะ) at Bambusetum Baan Sammi, which Khun Dieter assumed to be Schizostachyum dullooa prior to its flowering, started flowering gregariously in 2023 and produced viable seeds in 2024. Since flowers were first present, this bamboo was confirmed to be Schizostachyum dullooa by Dr. Sarawood Sungkaeo of Kasetsart University, Bangkok. Phai Hia was often misidentified as Cephalostachyum virgatum.

In July and August 2024, flowering branches with seeds could be obtained for free.

On 4 August 2024, we noticed that seeds germinated on the ground and quite a few seedlings developed. These seedlings are also offered from December 2024 onwards; they are free.

A seed (caryopsis) of Phai Hia (BS-0398A, 22 June 2024, left);
seeds, laid in growth medium on 26 June 2024, germinating a few days later, 30 June 2024 (center);
the seedling developed its first leaf blade two weeks later (14 July 2024, right).

Flowering branches in an early stage (BS-0398, 15 Dec. 2023)

A population (in vegetative stage throughout) of Phai Hia
in Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
(QSBG-05, 21 Feb. 2010)


08 November 2024

Vietnamosasa sp., bamboo PLANTS for FREE


This bamboo is a native of Thailand and neighboring countries. It has a running rhizome and thus forms thickets. If you would like to receive a living plant, we can dig up a small piece of the plant that has rhizomes and leafy culms.

14 September 2024

Bambusa burmanica, ไผ่บงหวาน (phai bong wan): bamboo SEEDLINGS for FREE — ต้นกล้าไม้ไผ่ให้ฟรี

— UPDATE 17 NOV. 2024: All remaining plants were picked up today and are no longer available. —

— UPDATE 14 SEP. 2024: 3 seedlings are left and offered free of charge. —


This photo shows an adult plant that has grown in about 8 years.
.

13 September 2024

Dendrocalamus copelandii, SAPLINGS for FREE

— UPDATE 17 NOVEMBER 2024: All remaining plants were picked up today and are no longer available. —

Young shoot of a mature plant

A tall growing species of bamboo, Dendrocalamus copelandiiไผ่หวานช่อแฮ (phai wan cho hae), (BS-0199), from Phrae, shoots edible, sweet; a last single pot small sapling is ready to take away.

09 September 2024

General information on bamboo culm harvesting and how to obtain these culms free of charge

Bamboo clumps of about 80 species grow on the grounds of Baan Sammi, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province.

Most species are useful bamboos with diameters of 3 to 10 cm, thick-walled or even solid on the lower culm, and lengths of 10 m and more.

To harvest the culms of these clumps, we need the help of one person: you, or another person accompanying you who will carry out the assisting work. We saw off all the culms at their bases OURSELVES, but all other work must be done by the person helping, e.g., cutting off the branches from the culms, and uploading the culms onto the person's pickup truck. This person can receive all harvested culms for free if they want them.

We cut the culms ourselves at their bases using a reciprocating saw (left).
To pull a culm out of the bamboo clump, one person (male or female) is needed (center).
You or your team must load all the desired culms (and also branches, if wanted) onto your vehicle (right).

08 September 2024

Liang Bamboo, ไผ่เลี้ยง (phai liang), ×Thyrsocalamus liang — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0001-1_079a+0001-4_022a.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

There are several clumps of this species with estimated more than thousand culms: BS-0001-1, -2, -3, -4 [S1, W1, W2], BS-0898 [C1].
About 20 long stems can be harvested in Nov./Dec. 2024, more later in 2025.

Culm lengths are 9–12 m, basal diameter 2.5–5 cm, heavy, robust, strong, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

The species, ×Thyrsocalamus liang, Phai Liang (ไผ่เลี้ยง), is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. Its stems can be used for numerous purposes, such as light construction as pillars and beams for huts, fence posts, fence rails and pickets, ladders, furniture-making, and support of climbers like beans, tomatoes, and passion fruit.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Candy Liang Bamboo, ไผ่เลี้ยงแค่นดิ (phai liang khaendi), ×Thyrsocalamus liang 'Candy' — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0606_43+606-1_024c_900x1483.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0606-1 [E1]: About 30 long stems can be harvested.

Culm lengths are 9–12 m, basal diameter 2.5–4.5 cm, heavy, robust, strong, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

The species, ×Thyrsocalamus liang, is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. The cultivated variety from Thailand, 'Candy', can be used for several purposes. Apart from the plant's ornamental value as a solitary garden plant, its stems can mainly be used for interior design and furniture-making.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

07 September 2024

A Schizostachyum bamboo, ไผ่เฮียะฝุงฮอม (phai hia fung hom) — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0622-1_081+058b.jpg

About 50 or a little more culms can be harvested. Culm lengths 6–10 m, basal diameter 2.5–5 cm, thin-walled, easy-splitting, with long internodes, without branches on the lower third of the stems.

Their stems are best used for making bamboo strips as a flat material for paneling on furniture (such as tables and shelves), for flat pickets for fences, and for any weaving purposes.

There are several similar species offered:
1. Schizostachyum funghomii, ไผ่เฮียะฝุงฮอม (phai hia fung hom), native to China, with blackish-green stems, BS-0622-1 [S5], and BS-0631-1 [C8];
2. Schizostachyum cf. hainanense, native to China, with dark green stems, BS-0106 [S6], and BS-0494 [C6];
3. Schizostachyum sp., native to Thailand, with dark green stems, BS-0322 [W4].

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

White Cloud Bamboo, ไผ่เมฆขาว (phai mek khao), Bambusa × Dendrocalamus (artificial intergeneric hybrid) — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0725_091+090a.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0725 [E1]: about 10 long stems can be harvested, diameter 4–7 cm.
BS-0726 [C3]: about 10 long stems can be harvested, diameter 3.5–6 cm.
BS-0079 [N4]: about 5 long stems can be harvested, diameter 4–7 cm.

The species: Bambusa sp. × Dendrocalamus sp., intergeneric hybrid, Phai Mek Khao (ไผ่เมฆขาว), White Cloud Bamboo, BS-0725 and BS-0726, introduced from China, grows well in the Chiang Mai area. Culm length to 16 m, basal diameter to 7 cm, heavy, robust, strong, straight, thick-walled, without branches on the lower two-thirds of the stems.
The stems of this hybrid can be used for moderate-heavy to heavy construction purposes, such as pillars and beams for huts and small houses.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Angel Mist Bamboo, ไผ่ขวัญดี (phai khwan di), Dendrocalamus minor var. amoenus — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0254_041a+040.jpg

Culm lengths: approx. 10–15 m, basal diameter 3.5–6.5 cm, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

BS-0254 [C8]: About 10 culms or a few more can be harvested.

Dendrocalamus minor var. amoenus, ไผ่ขวัญดี (phai khwan di), Angel Mist Bamboo, Ghost Bamboo: This ornamental bamboo was introduced into Thailand. Its stems can be used for interior decoration or in open spaces under roofed protection, e.g., for walls, room dividers, and furniture.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

06 September 2024

Oliver Bamboo, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Thyrsostachys oliveri [N4, W4] — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0002-7_W4_027+026.jpg

Culm length 9–12 m, diameter 3.5–4.5 cm, straight, heavy, robust, strong, long-lasting, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

BS-0002-6 [N4]: Up to 50 culms or a little more can be harvested.
BS-0002-7 [W4]: Up to 50 culms or a little more can be harvested.

Thyrsostachys oliveri, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Oliver Bamboo, is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. Its stems can be used for numerous purposes, such as light construction as pillars and beams for huts, fence rails and pickets, furniture-making, and support of climbers like beans, tomatoes, and passion fruit.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Oliver Bamboo, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Thyrsostachys oliveri [S6] — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0002-2_S6_022+019.jpg

Culm lengths 12–15 m, diameter 4–6.5 cm, straight, heavy, robust, strong, long-lasting, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

BS-0002-2 [S6]: Up to 50 culms or a little more can be harvested.

Thyrsostachys oliveri, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Oliver Bamboo, is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. Its stems can be used for numerous purposes, such as light construction as pillars and beams for huts, fence rails and pickets, furniture-making, and support of climbers like beans, tomatoes, and passion fruit.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post

05 September 2024

Giant Bamboo, ไผ่เป๊าะ (phai po), Dendrocalamus cf. giganteus — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0028_073a_800x1200.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0028 [C5]: About 5 tall and thick culms are available for harvest.

Culm lengths 15 m and longer, diameter 5–9 cm, strong, thick-walled, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Heavy construction, posts and beams.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Gigantochloa marga, ไผ่หนังเสือ (phai nang suea) — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0077_063_1535x1660.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0077 [N4]: Culms are available for harvest in small to medium quantities almost throughout the year.

Culm lengths 10 m and longer, diameter 4.5–6 cm, culm surface with dark spots and patches, strong, thick-walled, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Medium or light construction, fence posts and rails, fence boards or pickets, interior design, furniture, handicrafts.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Sang Mon Bamboo, ไผ่ซางหม่น (phai sang mon), Dendrocalamus sp. — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0228_062a_800x1200.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0228 [S6]: A few thick and long stems can be harvested in January 2025.

Culm lengths 15 m and longer, diameter 5.5–10 cm, straight, heavy, robust, very strong, thick-walled, basally almost solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Heavy construction, posts for houses, beams, fence posts.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Rough Giant Bamboo, ไผ่ตง (phai tong), Dendrocalamus asper — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0130_085_764x1200.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0130 [E5]: A few thick and long stems can be harvested in January 2025.

Culm lengths 15 m and longer, diameter ca. 10 cm, basal diameter over 10 cm, heavy, robust, very strong, moderately thick-walled, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Heavy construction, posts, roof beams.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

04 September 2024

Various medium-sized bamboo species — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

Culm harvesting of medium-sized bamboo is not arduous, though it requires your assistance, as described in → this post.

Culms of medium-sized bamboo are less tall, about 10 m, but the usable section of such a culm is shorter, often between 5 and 8 m long. Diameters are mostly in the range of 2 to 4 cm. Please see below a selection of suitable species.



PHOTO BS-0518_039_1200x1635.jpg

ไผ่ริกิดา (phai rikida), Bambusa rigida, BS-0518,
diameter 2.5–4 cm, moderately thin-walled but strong.

Uses: Fence boards or pickets, basketry.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: CULMS ARE AVAILABLE TO HARVEST FROM VARIOUS CLUMPS IN MODERATE QUANTITIES, ALTOGETHER ABOUT 50 CULMS. —



PHOTO BS-0243_24a_800x1580.jpg

ไผ่กราซิลิส (phai krasilit), Graceful Weaver's Bamboo, Bambusa textilis var. gracilis, BS-0243,
diameter 2–3,5 cm, thin-walled.

Uses: Small fence boards or pickets, basketry, support of low climbing plants like tomatoes.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: ABOUT 20 CULMS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR HARVEST, AND MORE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2025. —



PHOTO BS-0562_044a_782x1538.jpg

Gigantochloa sp., Krabi, BS-0562,
stems strong, diameter 2–4 cm, thick-walled, basally solid.

Uses: Light construction, fence pickets, interior design.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: CULMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HARVEST IN SMALL TO MODERATE QUANTITIES, ABOUT 20 CULMS. —



PHOTO BS-0444_052a_800x1200.jpg

ไผ่ช่างทอ (phai chang tho), Weaver's Bamboo, Bambusa textilis, BS-0444, BS-0616,
diameter 3–5 cm, moderately thin-walled.

Uses: Fence boards or pickets, basketry.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: CULMS FROM VARIOUS CLUMPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HARVEST IN SMALL TO MODERATE QUANTITIES, ALTOGETHER ABOUT 50 CULMS. —



02 June 2024

Bambusa sp., SAPLINGS for FREE

— UPDATE 23 JUNE 2024: All saplings were picked up today and are no longer available. —

08 March 2024

Build your bamboo fence with FREE bamboo STEMS that you can harvest yourself!

 There are numerous bamboo fencing constructions and designs, most are of three main elements, each of which works best with poles of different bamboo species:

Examples: Phai Sang Mon, a Dendrocalamus species, is ideal for thick fence poles (left), Phai Ruak Dam, Thyrsostachys oliveri, is good for fence rails (center), and Schizostachyum zollingeri can be easily split for fence strips (right).