I GET TO GROW BAMBOO!!! I GET TO GROW BAMBOO!!!

thaiturkey said:

I've been looking on You Tube for information about building domes with bamboo but have found nothing.

For protecting mothers and chicks you need the weave to be tighter, as you say. The domes look better if you can split the cane into thinner strips.

Looking at our dome, I would guess that you start by laying the strips out flat in a circle. There's a circular hole in the top so, perhaps, a round tin or similar is place on the ground and the bamboo laid straight, passing the side of the tin. Then, the ends are lifted and strips are woven around to make the perimeter and hold the dome shape. Perhaps a hoop is made first and the strips pushed into it. There are several layers of edge strips. After that, the remainder of the strips are woven in. That's only my guess from looking at ours. If you're interested, I'll take pics. of it and post them for you.

The common bamboo in our area shoots only twice a year. I think that's partly because people don't bother to water them during the long dry season. We have bought saplings from north east of here that are of a variety that shoots all year round provided that they are watered, fertilised and cropped regularly. Care is important, as you know. We control them by topping appropriately, cropping shoots when they are ready and thinning out weak growth. Rooted cuttings sell here for the equivalent of $3. The edible shoots sell for about 70 Cents per Kilo (2.2lb).

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