10 FUN FACTS ABOUT BAMBOO
Almost on a daily basis we are reminded of the damaging effects we are doing to the environment. Global warming, mass deforestation and oceans being polluted by plastic are hot topics on the news every day. So how can one plant help? Bamboo might not save the world... but it is a damn good start!
1.Bamboo is a giant grass not a tree!
2. Bamboo is the fastest growing land plant on the planet ( Sea Kelp in the ocean is the only thing that grows quicker!)
3. It can grow in soil that is unhospitable to most other plants. Bamboo requires no fertilisers and little water to grow. It can also tolerate extreme conditions that most plants cannot. It was actually the first plant to re-green after the atomic blast in Hiroshima in 1945.
4. Clumping Bamboo cools down the surrounding air by 8 degrees in summer. Bamboo is a great soil conservation tool. It greatly reduces erosion with a sum of stem flow rate and canopy intercept of 25%. This dramatically reduces rain run-off, preventing massive soil erosion and making it very earth friendly.
5. It absorbs, Purifies and deodorises the air 30% more effectively than any other plant. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal.
6. Some species, the poles are stronger than steel and have a strong root structure.
7. Bamboo is a regenerative plant as it drops it’s leaves to break down and provide nutrients to the plant.
8. There are around 1250 Species of Bamboo in the world. We use Moso bamboo also known as Mao bamboo for our toothbrushes and No more spills dinnerware.
9. 80 % of the world’s bamboo is grown in China. Australia has 3 native species that grow in northern Australia. Rhizomatous (Running bamboo) is considered an obnoxious weed.
10. Bamboo is a viable replacement for wood. It can be harvest in 3-5 years versus 10-20 for most softwoods.