BAMBOO

(Scientific Name: Bambusa spinosa, Roxb.)

Local Names – Bamboo Aound, Bicol; Bataken, Visayan; Caungin, Pampanga, Kawayan, Tagalog; Bicol; Zamboanga.

Area and Production – This plant is widely grown in the Philippines although not much attention is given to its culture. Bamboo is grown on 39,000 – 52 hectares in the Philippines. The local production is insufficient.

Trade and Consumption – In 1936, the Philippines imported from China and Japan 22,784 kilos of dried bamboo sprouts worth P5,074. In the same period our importation of baskets and other manufactured products from bamboo, rattan and reed was P11,740. The Philippine consumption of this material is also great but there is no published data as to the exact amount. 

Varieties and Yields – It appears to be only one variety of B. Spinosa. The yield increases as the plant becomes more established. 

Soil and Climate Requirements – Bamboo is of wide distribution in the Archipelago at low to medium elevations. It grows in various kinds of soil, preferably in sandy loam.

Culture – It is propagated by root-division or rootstocks, or by stem cuttings from tree not less than a year old. Cuttings with two or more healthy buds should be planted in slanting position and distanced at 15 to 20 meters each way. Young plants should be given a start. Planting should be done in the early part of the rainy season. 

Important Diseases and Insect Pests and Their Control

There are no serious diseases and pests of bamboo at present.  

Uses – used mainly for building purposes, for the manufacture of cheap furniture as chairs, benches, tables, beds, cupboards, picture frames among others. The young, tender shoots are boiled and eaten as vegetables and for pickles. Mature stalks have varied other uses. It is used in making almost any type of household utensils. Hollow joints are used for carrying water or as cooking utensils. It is made into pots and baskets of different kinds.

Important Data

1. Seed rate – 25 to 45 cuttings per hectare

2. Germination capacity – 90 to 100%

3. Food value – Bamboo shoot (Labong), moisture, 92.77%; Ash, 0.55%; Protein, 1,76% Fat, (.51%; Crude fiber, 0.17%; Carbohydrates, 4.2%.

4. Nature of plant – a tree-like grass attaining a height of 10 to 20 meters, the lower, spiny growths on the canes forming a dense, interlaced thicket. Widely distributed in the Philippines. /MP