Bamboo has been around for a long, long time and it's uses have been wide and varied. From ancient times right through to modern day, bamboo has fascinated people with it's versatility.

From flooring to window shades; from fishing rods and clothing - bamboo amazes with it's varied and wide range of uses. A case study close to home: my neighbor decided he wanted to create some extra privacy to his home when an apartment development bordered his property. I suggested a row of bamboo along his fence line and he took my advice. Within a few short months, he had a thriving hedge of bamboo plants creating the privacy he was after. Problem solved.

Bamboo - A Way Of Life In Some Cultures

In many parts of the world bamboo provides the raw materials in people's day-to-day lives. These days, industry is also making use of bamboo, particularly in the construction area; house-frames, walls and roofs... you name it and bamboo can more than likely be adapted to it. What about music? Bamboo instruments have been making music right around the world; flutes, fiddles and drums, just to name three.

Some bamboo variety can shoot to 35 to 40 meters in height making them the largest grass species in the world. Some varieties will spring to just a half a meter but short or high, they produce woody perennial stems, a key to their much sought after use.

Bamboo Flooring

In recent years, western society has taken a shine to bamboo flooring. Providing a great finish and known for it's tough qualities, bamboo flooring has rapidly gained popularity during the past decade.

The use of bamboo flooring is catching the attention of environmentalists as an alternative to hardwoods. As a member of the grass family, its rate of growth is faster than most hardwood trees and is seen as a renewable resource. Additionally, the glues used to hold the layers of bamboo flooring together lacks many of the petroleum products used in most laminate flooring, making the materials biodegradable.

In addition to the strength and durability of bamboo flooring it is also being promoted as being more resistant to insects such as termites, which for some reason are not naturally attracted to this grassy growth.

Window Shades & Blinds

Window shades and window blinds; fishing equipment; food; decorative items such as mats and baskets and fashion. We haven't even scratched the surface.

Bamboo blinds have been around for a long, long time. You have probably seen these blinds before they became chic, bamboo matchsticks strung together horizontally, hanging on the outside of a home to shade a southern or western facing window.

Today's bamboo blinds have a modern twist. Modern technology flattens the bamboo canes and provides great uniformity in the width and shape of each individual can that is used to make up the blind. In addition, these natural window coverings are lined with light filtering fabrics and room darkening fabrics.

Bamboogalore.com will form part of your bamboo library with information and resources on this hardy plant and if you don't find the information your looking for here, then we can point you in the right direction to find the answers your looking for elsewhere.

	Natural Bamboo Step Mat, Dark Wood Sale Price: $11.41 Average Rating:
	Natural Bamboo floor mat 21" x 34"~ Dark wood. Water resistant with matching fabric border and backing.

	Cook-N-Home 15-Piece Bamboo Tool-In-A-Tub Set Sale Price: $28.99 Average Rating:
	15 piece bamboo tool in a TUB includes 13 inch medium spatula,13 inch ladle ,13 inch salad fork and 13 inch solid turner,13 inch solid salad and 13 inch slotted turner,13 inch bamboo whisk and 13 inch salad fork,13 inch slotted spoon and slotted salad,13 and pastry brush spoon,13 and bamboo meat tenderizer and bamboo crock

	25 GIANT MOSO BAMBOO SEEDS Sale Price: $3.99 Average Rating:
	The leaves are smaller than those of many other bamboos and present a pleasant contrast to the massive culms. Moso bamboo pole stalks are considered among the largest and most beautiful, growing to a diameter from 3 to 7 inches and towering to 80 feet in tropical areas...

	Totally Bamboo 20-7920 3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $19.85 Average Rating:
	The 3-piece bamboo cutting board set includes three cutting boards. Boards measure 9 by 6 by 3/8-inch, 12 by 8-3/4 by 3/8-inch and 15 by 12 by 3/8-inch. Don't be caught again without an extra cutting board...

	10 Stalks Of 6 Inch Straight Lucky Bamboo For Feng Shui Or Gifts Sale Price: $4.99 Average Rating:
	In Asia, Lucky Bamboo is one of the most popular gift items people give away for all occasions, like wedding, house warming, business opening, Christmas, new year, birthday, anniversary, etc. And it is also a great touch when you decorate your house or office since they don't need any sunlight...

	9GreenBox - Live Spiral 3 Style Lucky Bamboo Plant Arrangement with Ceramic Vase Brown Sale Price: $22.99 Average Rating:
	We're selling one of this rare treasure! , The diameter of this plant is about 6"-8" , 8"-10" and 10"-12" tall. Ceramic Vase IS 2.5" IN LENGTH & 5 " WIDE & 5" IN HEIGHT. Please see the picture for the detail look for this Lucky Bamboo...

Decorative Bamboo Charcoal for a Healthful Environment in Your Home and Office Sale Price: $26.95 Average Rating:

Our Bamboo Charcoal is created in a patented process using highly sustainable bamboo from the southern coast of Korea. Some of the extraordinary and healthful benefits include Air and Water Purification, Deodorization, Electromagnetic Shielding, Humidity Regulation, and the Release of Negative Ions and FAR Infrared Radiation, all of which can improve the overall environment in your home and office...

	Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $12.99 Average Rating:
	This 3-piece bamboo cutting board set includes three cutting boards. Boards measure 6 by 8 by 3/8-inch, 8-1/2 by 11 by 3/8-inch and 9-1/2 by 13 by 3/8-inch. Don't be caught again without an extra cutting board...

	Joyce Chen Burnished Bamboo 5-Piece Utensil Set Sale Price: $13.66 Average Rating:
	In today's rapidly changing world, using renewable resources makes sense, even in the kitchen. Joyce Chen's burnished bamboo utensils are not only earth-friendly, but beautiful and practical. Bamboo, a grass, grows quickly to harvestable size and is considered an environmentally-sound replacement for slow-growing trees...

	Rayon from BAMBOO Sheet Set - Queen Sage 1000 Thread Count Cotton Sheet Set Sale Price: $99.99 Average Rating:
	Package contains 1 Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet and 2 Pillow Case in a beautiful zippered package. These sheets are soft, luxurious fusion of 60% Bamboo derived Rayon & 40% Egyptian cotton The sheet sets are as soft as silk and naturally breathable...

We have all seen it: pandas sitting in trees, chewing on long stalks of bamboo, carefree and happy. But Bamboo is fast becoming the eco-friendly alternative to many every day products. Between bamboo clothing, bed linens, and hardwood flooring, as well as bamboo furniture, utilizes this versatile grass.

Yes, you read that correctly. Grass! Bamboo is a grass, and a renewal resource. Bamboo is normally used for landscaping, to make a backyard more attractive and appealing to the homeowners. But bamboo has other uses as well. Soil erosion is a common problem with new construction sites around the world. Most industries have better management practices in place to avoid soil erosion on new construction sites, and bamboo is a great addition to new construction sites to avoid soil erosion.

Planting bamboo not only keeps soil erosion to a minimum; it can slow rain run off by creating a barrier for the rain to hit as it runs down an incline, either natural or man made. With over 1,200 varieties of bamboo in the world, there is clearly a bamboo alternative for every one of our daily needs.

Bamboo has been used for centuries in Asia, from a source of food to home construction, and it is only now that the western world is catching on to the source that Asia has hidden for centuries. Bamboo is as durable as any known wood used for building materials, but has a much shorter growth span. That is, it only takes weeks for bamboo to grow to lengths which can be utilized, whereas trees take decades. The quickness at which bamboo grows means that there is plenty of bamboo that can be made available for material use.

It also is a great addition to any yard or home. Since bamboo is a grass, which has leaves, it can help filter the air of toxins and breathe back out fresh clean oxygen for us to breath. Having bamboo in your house is not only considered good luck in Asian cultures, but it can keep the air you are breathing clean and fresh. It is also an attractive addition to your office or living room. Green is a stress reducing color, so having a deep green bamboo plant growing in the corner of your house can help you reduce your daily stress.

If you are sold on bamboo, there are plenty of products for which you can decorate your house or backyard patio with. There is bamboo furniture, bamboo wind chimes, and bamboo lanterns which you can add to your bamboo laden garden. Whether or not you want a bamboo awning, it can be found should you want one. Bamboo can be made into just about anything; you just need to use your imagination.

Just remember to keep your bamboo watered. Unlike most household plants, bamboo needs lots of water. That is unless you are trying to dry out your bamboo to make a home made fishing pole! Then dry it out, get your bobbin and go fishing.

One of the most enduring images of Indiaâ??s freedom struggle is that of Mahatma Gandhi setting out on the Salt March in 1930, on a 140 kilometre trek from Ahmedabad to Dandi. All he had by the way of support were the multitudes behind him, and the bamboo stave by his side. The bamboo in his hands, today more than ever before, is one of the newest hopes for a sustainable future. Found in almost every kind of climate and region, from cold mountains to tropical forests and marsh lands, the bamboo is the fastest growing plant on our planet. Environmentalists believe that if bamboo were used in a major way in afforestation programs the world over, there would be a significant reduction in global warming. Here are some of its other benefits to humans and their environments --

It is one of the cheapest renewable sources of building material available to man.

At the same time, it provides rural communities with a sustainable livelihood.

It is one of the fastest growing components of forests, and thus plays an important role in the development of animal habitats.

It costs neither a lot of energy nor money, to cultivate.

Bamboo has been an important part of art, music, tradition and ceremonies through out the Asian continent.

 

Varieties

There are approximately 91 general and about 1000 species of bamboo around the globe. These vary in height from about one foot plants to giant bamboos that grow over 100 feet. Broadly speaking, Bamboo is divided into 2 main classifications â?? Running Bamboo and Clumping Bamboo.

Running Bamboo â?? This type of Bamboo travels under the soil using creeping rhizomes and emerges out of the ground at a distance from the original source. This variety is normally found in temperate climate countries like China and Japan. It is very effective in binding the soil together as the rhizome intersection is extensive and strong. Each joint of the Running bamboo stem has a single bud, which in many cases grow to become a new bamboo clump.

Clumping Bamboo â?? In this variety, the clump and the rhizome are a single entity, in which the upper portion of the rhizome has buds. The bud then grow into a new rhizome which turns upwards and emerges, from the ground, as a second clump close to the original. This variety can also be grown from cuttings. They are normally found more in tropical and semi tropical climates.

 

Growing Bamboos

Bamboos need plenty of water in a well drained, fertile soil to grow optimally. This is why they are most commonly found on river banks or the edges of swamps, never directly touching the water. During the dry season, bamboo clumps lie dormant, spreading through shoots sprouting from their base once it rains. The bamboo is an extremely sturdy plant and is naturally quite resistant to pests though the occasional Running Bamboo plant is prone to the Bamboo Mites which make a small but distinctive web on the plant. Some bamboo varieties may also be grown indoors.

Precautions During Bamboo Cultivation

Large bamboo produces large woody underground rhizomes that could damage paving, buildings or drainage systems if planted too close to these or other structures.

The roots which grow from the rhizomes of clumping bamboo are long and fibrous like those of palms or large clumping grasses. These are useful in stabilising the soil and preventing erosion, but may also create problems. Being flexible and fibrous rather than hard and woody, these roots will grow into and along slotted drainage pipes or any cracks in metal or ceramic pipes.

Bamboo rhizomes grow underground to emerge quite a distance away from the mother plant. So if planted in a wet, well drained and rich soil, bamboo can quickly spread and strangle other trees and plants in the area.

Once established as a grove, it is difficult to completely remove bamboo without digging up the entire network of underground rhizomes. If bamboo must be removed, an alternative to digging it up is to cut down the culms, and then repeatedly mow down new shoots as they arise, until the root system exhausts its energy supply and dies. If any leaves are allowed to photosynthesize the bamboo survives and will keep spreading.

 

Traditional Uses

The bamboo is a highly useful plant, a renewable resource with multiple uses. It has played a crucial role in the life of people all across south and south east Asia. Here are some of them --

Bamboo pulp is used for making paper

It may be burnt as fuel

Bamboo is known not only for the aesthetic beauty it imparts to its surroundings, but also for its tensile strength. Research has shown that during structural engineering tests, bamboo has a much higher tensile strength than many alloys of steel and a higher compressive strength than many mixtures of concrete. Which is why, for long, it has been a standard material in construction.

Its leaves are a good fodder for animals and fish.

Bamboo is used to make simple bowls, glasses etc by the simple expedient of cutting it from above and below a node.

It is used to make musical instruments. The flutes of Benares are a good example of this.

Many canes of bamboo lashed together, are still used as rafts and boats across the world.

In 1854, Henricg Globel, a German watchmaker made the first true light bulb. He used a carbonised bamboo filament inside a glass bulb. In 1879, Thomas Alva Edison too used bamboo splits as filaments, working with bamboo obtained from Japan. The bamboo filament tended to last about forty hours before burning out.

Bamboo is an important ingredient in many world cuisines. Its shoots are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world and are consumed in a variety of ways. They are sometimes pickled and used as a condiment, or used with other vegetables in a stir fry. Bamboo sap is also used to make a sweet wine while its leaves are used as wrappers for steaming food. The inner hollow in the bamboo stalks are also used to cook rice and boil soup. Bamboo along with other ingredients is used for making pancakes as well.

Bamboo plays an important role in the Chinese medicine system as well as in Ayurveda. Its roots are used to treat kidney problems and bamboo secretions are considered helpful in alleviating symptoms of asthma. Its sap is said to reduce fever and roots and leaves have properties that have been used to treat cancer. The Chinese also use bamboo to treat many infections. Bamboo skin prevents bacterial growth due to its antioxidant properties.

 

Modern Uses of Bamboo

Though one has stepped into the modern world today with changing lifestyles and choices, bamboo is still used in the same way across large parts of the world as it was used in the past. In fact it is rightly believed by many that no other plant has had the impact that bamboo has had on so many cultures over such an extended period of time. But now, with the help of technology, scores of new uses have been found for the age old bamboo. Here are some --

Bamboo furniture

Bamboo flooring

Bamboo blinds

Bamboo is a very comfortable eco fibre which is naturally anti-microbial. Due to the presence of micro pores, the fabric absorb three times more moisture than cotton, making it very comfortable to wear in the hot summer.

 

Did You Know?

Bamboo can grow about 4 feet in under 24 hours.

A Bamboo plant can be continuously re-harvested every 3 years, without causing any negative impact on the soil and the environment.

The dense roots of the bamboo plant are so deep into the soil and remain firmly intact that they prevent soil erosion in a very effective manner.

It retains twice as much water in the underground watershed.

It consumes nitrogen and thus remove pollution.

Bamboo plant produces 35% more oxygen than any other tree species. Bamboo also protects against ultraviolet rays.

Soft bamboo shoots, stems, and leaves are the major food source of the endangered Giant Panda of China.

The plant marketed as "lucky bamboo" is actually an entirely unrelated species, Dracaena sanderiana.

Bamboo is the only living thing that survived the Hiroshima atomic blast. It also provided the initial re- greening of that place.

 

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is, strangely enough, not a bamboo at all. It is a resilient member of the lily family that grows in the dark, tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa. Lucky Bamboo has long been associated with the Eastern practice of Feng Shui - or the bringing of natural elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal into balance within the environment. It is believed to be an ideal example of the thriving wood and water element, with the addition of a red ribbon sometimes tied around the stalks - which is believed to "fire" the positive flow of energy or chi in the room.

You are doing nothing wrong. The bamboo is starting to run out of stored energy that it has been using to grow. It is time to stick the cutting into a pot of soil so it can absorb more nutrients and minerals it needs to live.

	6' Foot Tall Bamboo Wall or Ceiling Covering Wainscoting - 101 Tan Sale Price: $12.49
	This bamboo wall or ceiling covering are 71" tall, and come in roll form sold by the linear foot. Each linear foot of wall covering is approximately 6 square feet. The material can easily be cut down to be used as wainscoting...

	Totally Bamboo Butcher Block, Large Sale Price: $84.90 Average Rating:
	Fast-growing in nature, bamboo is also fast-growing in popularity as one of the most environmentally friendly, renewable resources available. Totally Bamboo prides itself on using only hand-selected, China-grown "moso" bamboo, which is not a food source or habitat for the giant panda, and which grows to harvestable size in just 3 to 5 years...

	6 HVY-DUTY GREEN BAMBOO STAKES - 6 Feet - Green Sale Price: $3.30 Average Rating:
	Bamboo. Staking up tall plants. Green dyed packaged heavy duty bamboo stakes.

	Bamboo Quick Control 6-Foot Leash with Seat Belt Latch Red Sale Price: $13.50 Average Rating:
	The Quick Control harness with built-in leash gives you instant control in any sistuation. The harness is made from soft double strength nylon for long lasting wear and comfort. The harness combined with the Quick Control leash become a system to secure you dog into the seat belt latch to keep him from moving about the car.

	Bamboo Quick Control 3-Foot Leash with Seat Belt Latch, Black Sale Price: $17.99 Average Rating:
	The Quick Control collar has comfort padded handle with a built in leash for control when you need it. The instant leash is always there so you can get immediate controll in any sistuation. The collar is made of soft double strength nylon for comfort and long lasting wear...

	Anji Mountain Bamboo Rug Co. AMB00500046 Premier 4x6 Feet Sale Price: $72.89 Average Rating:
	Bamboo Area Rug with a non-slip rug pad backing and poly border that withstands traffic longer

	Totally Bamboo Little Kahuna Cutting Board Sale Price: $79.30 Average Rating:
	From the original bamboo cutting board company, Totally Bamboo, this cutting board is a beautiful, functional, ecologically sound addition to any kitchen. Bamboo is 16% harder than maple, making it an excellent cutting surface...

	Anji Mountain Bamboo Rug Co. AMB00700036 Key West 4x6 Feet Sale Price: $73.57 Average Rating:
	Bamboo Area Rug with a non-slip rug pad backing and poly border that withstands traffic longer

	Anji Mountain Bamboo Rug Co. AMB00700023 Key West 2x3 Feet Sale Price: $26.00 Average Rating:
	Bamboo Area Rug with a non-slip rug pad backing and poly border that withstands traffic longer

	Anji Mountain Bamboo Rug Co. Bamboo Rug Co. AMB00310023 Contemporary Chocolate 2x3 Feet Sale Price: $22.35
	Bamboo Area Rug with a non-slip rug pad backing and poly border that withstands traffic longer

Bamboo, a type of grass that grows all over China and Southeast Asia, has become a fashionable, high-quality alternative to traditional hardwood floors. Bamboo's 40-50 foot high stalks reach maturity in just five years and renew themselves naturally, making them a great alternative to cutting down trees that can take decades to reach maturity. Bamboo flooring has been shown to be just as hard, durable, and beautiful as standard hardwood floors, making them a great, environmentally friendly way to add beauty and value to your home.

As it becomes more popular, the choices in finding bamboo flooring suppliers will continue to increase, making it difficult for the consumer to know which ones are trustworthy and which are not. Especially when dealing with a purchase that run into the thousands of dollars, it is important that the dealer be someone you can trust. Here are some simple rules for finding a dependable bamboo floor supplier.

Check with the Better Business Bureau. They will be able to check if the supplier is a member and even suggest some alternatives.

Visit the premises if possible.

If shopping online, try to find recommendations. The quality of the website itself is another indication of the seriousness of the supplier.

You can always call and see how the staff members treat you on the phone. If something seems amiss or they are disorganized, you are probably better off with someone else.

How well do they back up their product? It isn't hard to find a bamboo flooring supplier who offers a lifetime guarantee on their product.

The best gauge of a business is how long it has been around. Successful bamboo floor suppliers like Hawa Bamboo Flooring and Morning Star Bamboo Flooring have made many customers happy and that is why they are still around. Always be wary when dealing with companies that are less than a year or two old.

After finding the right supplier and having your bamboo flooring shipped and installed, you will be the recipient of many compliments from friends and neighbors on your investment. Be sure to mention your bamboo flooring supplier to them so they can benefit from word of mouth advertising while you benefit from your beautiful bamboo flooring.

Bamboo Flooring Info provides detailed information about bamboo laminate flooring, discount bamboo flooring, installation, suppliers, and more. Bamboo Flooring Info is the sister site of Hardwood Floors Web.

I bet if you went to your local craft store you could find one, or even like a little Shadow box may do the trick.

	Maytex Zen Garden PEVA Shower Curtain Sale Price: $11.99 Average Rating:
	A soothing zen feeling with this PEVA shower curtain printed on frosty background.

	FantasticTea Japanese Style Zen Glass Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser and Bamboo Handle Sale Price: $39.99
	High quality Crystal Clear Borosilicate Glass Teapot. Japanese Style. Resistant to Hot/Cold Shocks. Include Tea Infuser. Hand-made.

	Small Mini Green Yellow Bamboo Table Zen Water Fountain Sale Price: $22.93
	When it fills with water the bamboo chute on this meditative fountain empties itself, only to lift and fill again. Enjoy the calming music of a mountain stream, anywhere and anytime! For indoor use only...

	Now & Zen E-tone Digital- Bamboo Sale Price: $136.00 Average Rating:
	Our way of describing the essence of a natural lifestyle is "quality of thought, stillness of being."

	Japanese Paper Handheld Fan, Bamboo HF-168 Sale Price: $11.00
	Lovely designs captured on paper make these fans wonderful decorative accents. They also fit nicely into a purse to ward off hot flashes or the heat on hot summer days. Each fan is handmade and thus may look slightly different from photo.

	Small Mini Green Yellow Bamboo Table Zen Water Fountain Sale Price: $21.99 Average Rating:
	When it fills with water the bamboo chute on this meditative fountain empties itself, only to lift and fill again. Enjoy the calming music of a mountain stream, anywhere and anytime! For indoor use only...

	Eurofase 14608-018 Zen 1-Light Table Lamp, Ebony/Bamboo Burlap Sale Price: Too low to display

	Zen Zen Hanging Beehive Lantern Shade - Olive & Aqua Sale Price: $24.95
	For nearly two decades zen zen GARDEN & HOME has created a unique line of products for home, garden & body. our designs are inspired by the Zen traditions of craftsmanship, simplicity, harmony & the us of natural materials...

	FantasticTea Japanese Style Zen Glass Teapot with Glass Infuser and Bamboo Handle Sale Price: $30.95
	High quality Crystal Clear Borosilicate Glass Teapot. Japanese Style. Resistant to Hot/Cold Shocks. Include Tea Infuser. Hand-made.

	Unique Zen Style Asian Japanese Flooring - 8ft. Decorative Bamboo Area Rug w/ Printed Design & Slip Proof Backing - 60" x 96" Sale Price: $119.00 Average Rating:
	Unique, attractive, and extremely practical, bamboo slat throw rugs, available in 3 sizes, with 3 unique printed designs to choose from. The small size, 2 feet by 3 feet, is perfect welcome or bath mat size, indoor only...

Bamboo has been a subject of paintings and artisanal crafts in East Asia for centuries. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are often decorated with carved bamboo shoots and Zen paintings featuring the bamboo plant. However, in the world of high art (especially Western art), the bamboo plant has been relatively underrepresented. Granted that, as a subject of paintings, the value of any plant (or any object, for that matter) is completely subjective, bamboo as a material for sculpture and installation art is incredibly versatile.

One of the reasons why bamboo and other organic materials have not been used as much for sculpture in the world of high art is that sculpture and monumental artwork was always perceived as having to be permanent. Sculptures had to be made of bronze, marble, steel, etc. In other words, stuff that was going to last for ages to come. But contemporary artists have for the most part come to accept the fact of art's ephemeral nature. Even the Egyptian pyramids will someday be nothing but dust. So if nothing truly "lasts", what's the point of trying to defy nature? Thus, sculpture and installation art does not have to be permanent anymore. It is more the experience of the creation and production of the art itself that matters. Whether or not it lasts very long, is no longer the main concern.

One of the artists who has been highly integral in exploring the temporary nature of art and the beauty that can be found therein is Andy Goldsworthy, who has produced some of the most stunning outdoor bamboo installations in the world. He uses bamboo shoots and poles that he finds already fallen and weaves them to create delicately precise structures that are distinctly man-made but that still feel fully natural. He doesn't use nails or artificial adhesives in his sculptures. Finding a natural way of making his creations hold together seems to be one of the main challenges and joys of Goldsworthy's art.

Another well known artist who is renowned for his bamboo installations is the New York born Gerard Minakawa. Unlike Goldsworthy's meticulous and naturalistic constructions, Minakawa's bamboo structures are epic, sometimes several stories in height, and make unapologetic use of electric lighting and industrial contraptions. Minakawa's venues reflect this sort of rock star art aesthetic. His bamboo installations have been prominent elements of Burning Man and the Coachella Music festival, among others.

For more information on bamboo installation and other bamboo applications for your home, please visit http://www.bambooandtikis.com/.

Use planter's that size for something ornamental. A tree with enough leaves to produce shade is going to act like a sail and the planter will blow over. Plant your shade trees in the ground. Redbuds produce a nice amount of shade for their size.

	MOSO BAMBOO (Phyllostachys pubescens) 25 seeds COLD HARDY Sale Price: $3.99 Average Rating:
	Phyllostachys pubescens, known as the Moso Bamboo or Giant Bamboo, is a large running bamboo that originates from China. Under suitable climate conditions Moso can grow to heights of over 20 metres coupled with a diameter of nearly 18cm...

	25 GIANT MOSO BAMBOO SEEDS COLD HARDY Phyllostachys pubescens Sale Price: $3.99
	The leaves are smaller than those of many other bamboos and present a pleasant contrast to the massive culms. Moso bamboo pole stalks are considered among the largest and most beautiful, growing to a diameter from 3 to 7 inches and towering to 80 feet in tropical areas...

	Nandina Sienna Sunrise Five Gallon Plant Sale Price: $59.98
	Intense fiery red new foliage cools to lush green in summer. Red highlights reappear in fall and winter. Occasionally produces small white flowers. Perfect choice for high profile accents or nooks in architecture...

Bamboo fencing has been a growing trend in homes over the past few years. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, bamboo also has the advantage of being one of the most eco-friendly building materials in the world and one of the sturdiest. Here are just a few reasons for choosing bamboo fencing over traditional hardwood fencing.

1. Environmentally Friendly

Bamboo is actually a type of grass, not a wood, and it's the fastest growing kind of grass in the world. In a single day, a bamboo plant can grow an average of up to 60 centimeters (23.6 inches), and certain species have been known to grow as much as 121 centimeters (47.6 inches) in one 24-hour period. Unlike hardwood logging, harvesting bamboo forests does not damage the forest's ecosystem, as bamboo's rapid growth and short life-cycle make it one of the most renewable natural resources we have..

2. Strong and Flexible

Bamboo can be stronger than concrete and is about 2 to 3 times stronger than timber. Bamboo is also flexible enough that it can stand up to harsh winds and even hurricanes, where traditional hardwood would shatter. Bamboo has been used to build houses for centuries, and as a fencing component it's one of the toughest you can find. Due to its naturally high content of silica, which termites have a hard time digesting, bamboo is naturally termite resistant.

3. Inexpensive and Easy to Install

Bamboo is very affordable, especially compared to traditional hardwood fencing materials. Part of the savings you can get by choosing bamboo fencing come from the fact that many styles of bamboo fencing are easy to install without the need employing a professional contractor.

4. Easy to Clean Maintain

Bamboo fencing's smooth exterior makes it much easier to clean and maintain than hardwood fencing. Washing it down with soap and water is usually all that's needed. Apply a good water sealing stain right after and it should keep its original color and sheen for years. Apply waterproofing deck sealer each year for a longer lasting fence.

5. Unique Look

Your bamboo fence can be as simple or as complex as you want. There are a ton of traditional styles of bamboo fencing to choose from. Some include exquisitely woven panels that can make your backyard look elegant and serene. There are also a lot of colors of bamboo to choose from, and as it ages, bamboo changes shades. Whatever style you choose, though, your fence is sure to stand out.

To purchase great bamboo fencing contact a bamboo supplier, http://www.bambooandtikis.com.

	Small Mini Green Yellow Bamboo Table Zen Water Fountain Sale Price: $22.93
	When it fills with water the bamboo chute on this meditative fountain empties itself, only to lift and fill again. Enjoy the calming music of a mountain stream, anywhere and anytime! For indoor use only...

	Zen Zen Garden Capiz Shell Wind Chime - Sea Green & Cocoa Sale Price: $37.99
	For nearly two decades zen zen GARDEN & HOME has created a unique line of products for home, garden & body. our designs are inspired by the Zen traditions of craftsmanship, simplicity, harmony & the us of natural materials...

	Best Bargain Price Deal Graduation Gifts for Teens - 18" Bamboo Art Japanese Shoj Lantern - Natural Sale Price: $49.00 Average Rating:
	Attractive variation of classic Japanese paper lantern, crafted from 100% kiln dried Scandinavian Spruce, with fiber reinforced pressed pulp rice paper shade & subtle bamboo tree design, diffused light creates a soft, warm glow in any room...

	Zen Décor Simple Unique - 84" Eudes Room Divider Japanese Shoji Folding Screen - Honey 6 Panel Sale Price: $399.00 Average Rating:
	An outstanding room divider shoji screen, exceptional in both quality & design, with a simple, subtle, unique Eudes wood lattice design on the front (only) of each panel. 7 foot tall shoji screens are difficult to find in the US- built with superior materials & workmanship- premium quality kiln dried Spruce, & classic Japanese style joinery (No Rubberwood!)...

Vessel sinks go back to the time before indoor plumbing, when washing up meant going over to the vanity table in the corner of the room, pouring some water from a pitcher into a bowl, and washing up before sitting down to a meal or just freshening up after waking.

Fortunately, today there is indoor plumbing, and vessel sinks serve more than just a functional purpose. Most are now pieces of art that transform an ordinary bathroom or powder room into a showplace, with the sink being at the very center of the exhibit.

Zen-like Serenity

A Zen-like style of décor reflects harmony and simplicity. Just because something is white or black, that doesn't mean it has to be boring. Vessel sinks in the traditional round or even rectangular shape made from Travertine or other natural stones fit in nicely with Zen-themed bathrooms, and the very basic colors of black and white can transform an ordinary bathroom into a tranquil masterpiece.

Imagine a mahogany or cherry wood vanity with a black marble or onyx vessel sitting atop it, with fountain fixtures providing a water source. Water glides into the bowl with the sound of nature and brings a serene calm to your morning.

Conversely, a white limestone bowl on a black wood or lacquer pedestal stand with bamboo faucet fixtures, along with green accents in the form of bamboo plants situated about the room brings serenity to this most private space.

Achieving a quiet atmosphere by design can give a calming debut to any day, regardless of the time it begins.

Contemporary Art Scene

The guest bathroom is one of the first places friends and family will see in any new home. Making that small room a showplace is an easy feat when the designs utilize the colorful creations on the market today in the way of glass vessel sinks in nearly any color glass, from clear to the deepest of hues, in an array of styles, from round or oval to square and rectangular to fit your home's particular décor theme. Glass and metal pedestals with contemporary fixtures round out the exciting new look. Custom glass sinks can be created to accommodate nearly any color, size or style a decorator can fathom.

Nature's Elegant Balance

On the higher end of the scale, the homeowner may want to consider choosing a sink made from one of many semi-precious stones to bring the bathroom to a whole new level of elegance. Manufacturers allow their customers to choose from such gemstones as Amber, Turquoise, Amethyst, Lapis, Azurite, or Red Jasper, to name a few. These particular sinks come in the traditional round bowl design as well as non-traditional free-formed shapes for a more natural look to coordinate with the master or guest bathroom in any home.

Today there are as many different designs of vessel sinks as there are materials they are made out of, making it easier for any new homeowner, designer or remodeler to find the perfect fit.

Author is a freelance writer. For more information on vessel sinks, please visit http://www.overstock.com

Ideas for indoor zen garden?

I will be getting a small apartment and I want it to have a cute zen garden. I already have bamboo. What else can I do?

Put in a sand area with a rake and a few smooth pebbles. A water feature would also be nice.

Bamboo in just WATER? !!!! Egads, what is the matter with roots and dirt? !!! Of course your "shoots" are drying up -- jumpin' lizards MAN, what yer doin' is un-natural. Bamboo shoots come off under ground stems called rhyzomes. Them shoots is nothing but upright stems with no will or capacity to ever be anything cept a hollow stick and no good fer nothing since they were ripped rights away from dar mama.

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	JCP Home Kennedy Bamboo Grommet-top Panels - Black
	These natural grommet-top panels will add a modern look to your window. rayon fiber made from bamboo add enough light without compromising your privacy Hang on decorative rod or pole. Vacuum or dust. Shown with Chris Madden 1 1/4; decorative rod in Dover Bronze (sold separately)...

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Though simple and common, a peace lily (spathe) definitely has Asian flare.

The Asian pitcher plants would be a great addition as well; http://www.cobraplant.com/nepenthes.html

The containers you use will make or break the look more than the plants themselves.
http://www.flowerpotheaven.com/ceramic-flower-pots.htm

Hope this helps

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	WATER WONDERS SILK ASIAN BAMBOO - SMALL

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	5 Tiers Lucky Bamboo arrangement in Amazing hand made ceramic vase with frogs

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	18 pcs of straight bamboo create 3 level pyramid shapes, in hand made white ceramic vase with Frogs around for good luck. This arrangement contains: 6pc x 6" St Bamboo 6pc x 8" St Bamboo 6pc x 10" St Bamboo Ribbon and Butterfly Included

There are two general patterns for the growth of bamboo: "clumping" (sympodial) and "running" (monopodial). Clumping bamboo species tend to spread slowly, as the growth pattern of the rhizomes is to simply expand the root mass gradually, similar to ornamental grasses. "Running" bamboos, on the other hand, need to be taken care of in cultivation because of their potential for aggressive behavior. They spread mainly through their roots and/or rhizomes, which can spread widely underground and send up new culms to break through the surface. Running bamboo species are highly variable in their tendency to spread; this is related to both the species and the soil and climate conditions. Some can send out runners of several meters a year, while others can stay in the same general area for long periods. If neglected, over time they can cause problems by moving into adjacent areas.

Bamboo foliage with black stems (probably Phyllostachys nigra)Bamboos seldom and unpredictably flower, and the frequency of flowering varies greatly from species to species. Once flowering takes place, a plant will decline and often die entirely. Although there are always a few species of bamboo in flower at any given time, collectors desiring to grow specific bamboo typically obtain their plants as divisions of already-growing plants, rather than waiting for seeds to be produced.

Regular maintenance will indicate major growth directions and locations. Once the rhizomes are cut, they are typically removed; however, rhizomes take a number of months to mature and an immature, severed rhizome will usually cease growing if left in-ground. If any bamboo shoots come up outside of the bamboo area afterwards, their presence indicates the precise location of the missed rhizome. The fibrous roots that radiate from the rhizomes do not grow up to be more bamboo so if they stay in the ground, that's not a problem.

The second way to control growth is by surrounding the plant or grove with a physical barrier. This method is very detrimental to ornamental bamboo as the bamboo within quickly becomes rootbound—showing all the signs of any unhealthy containerized plant. Symptoms include rhizomes escaping over the top, down underneath, and bursting the barrier. The bamboo within generally deteriorates in quality as fewer and fewer culms grow each year, culms live shorter periods, new culm diameter decreases, fewer leaves grow on the culms, and leaves turn yellow as the unnaturally contained rootmass quickly depletes the soil of nutrients, and curling leaves as the condensed roots cannot collect the water they need to sustain the foliage. Concrete and specially-rolled HDPE plastic are the usual materials used. This is placed in a 60–90 cm (2.0–3.0 ft) deep ditch around the planting, and angled out at the top to direct the rhizomes to the surface. (This is only possible if the barrier is installed in a straight line.) Strong rhizomes and tools can penetrate plastic barriers with relative ease, so great care must be taken. Barriers usually fail sooner or later, or the bamboo within suffers greatly. Casual observation of many failed barriers has shown bursting of 60 mil HDPE in 5–6 years, and rhizomes diving underneath in as few as 3 years post install. In small areas regular maintenance is the only perfect method of controlling the spreading bamboos. Bamboo in barriers is much more difficult to remove than free-spreading bamboo. Barriers and edging are unnecessary for clump-forming bamboos. Clump-forming bamboos may eventually need to have portions removed if they get too large.

The ornamental plant sold in containers and marketed as "lucky bamboo" is actually an entirely unrelated plant, Dracaena sanderiana. It is a resilient member of the lily family that grows in the dark, tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa. Lucky Bamboo has long been associated with the Eastern practice of Feng Shui. On a similar note, Japanese knotweed is also sometimes mistaken for a bamboo but it grows wild and is considered an invasive species.