Establishing bamboo farms

SPECIES AND SITE SELECTION

Bamboo plantation should be developed with extreme caution subject to local climatic conditions and irrigation facilities to ensure adequate water supply. Selection of drought-resistant species like Kauayan tinik (8. blumeana) and Bayog (B. blumeana var. Iuzmensis) may help improve bamboo production in dry areas. Whereas in high rainfall areas, Giant bamboo (D. asper), Bolo (G. Ieois) or Buho (S. lumampao) grow better than in the low-rainfall areas.

An area with moist, well-drained sand, loam or clay loam soil which is not highly acidic nor alkaline and is high in organic matter and nutrients is ideal for growing bamboos. Area not suited for agricultural crop production, along stream and riverbanks, hillsides and cogonal land can also be planted to bamboos.

SITE PREPARATION

1. Recommended spacing for kauayan tinik, kauayan kiling and kauayan tinik plantations is 7m × 7m and 5m × 5m for riverbank stabilization.

2. Clear weeds and other unwanted vegetation from the area.

3. Prepare planting holes with a dimension of about 60 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm.

Site preparation

TRANSPORT OF PLANTING STOCK

1. Harden the plants in the nursery before transporting to the planting site.
2. Load and unload the potted propagules carefully to avoid damage, especially to the roots.
3. If possible, plant the propagules immediately after transporting them to the site.

PLANTING

Planting bamboo in a plantation can be done either by direct planting of cuttings or by nursery-raised cuttings.

Planting of nursery-raised cuttings

1. Loosen the soil in the prepared hole.

2. Cut and carefully remove the plastic bag without breaking the soil and damaging the roots of the propagules.

3. Place the propagules vertically in the planting hole with the soil intact.

4. Cover the planting stocks with well-pulverized top soil.

5. Gently compress the soil around the newly planted plants.

6. Water and mulch the plants when necessary.

Planting of nursery-raised cuttings

Direct planting of culm cuttings

Direct planting of bamboo in the plantation may be used when the plantation area receives enough rainfall throughout the year.

Selection and preparation of planting stock for direct planting follows the same method as that of nursery-raised cuttings. except that cuttings are directly planted in the field without the benefit of poking.

The procedures for direct planting are:

1. Haul the cuttings to the planting site/hole.
2. Loosen the soil in previously prepared planting holes.
3. Place the cuttings in a horizontal, vertical or slanting position.

The procedures for direct planting

For horizontal planting, lay the cuttings horizontally with buds sideways to the planting holes. Fill up the holes with 10 cm top soil to cover cuttings.

Water and mulch the cuttings.

PLANTATION, MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION

1. Conduct regular ring-weeding and strip-brushing.
2. Apply fertilizer when necessary.
3. Construct firelines, if needed.
4. Replace dead cuttings immediately.

Reference: UNDP/FAO/ERDB-DENR. Manual on Bamboo Farming. Unpublished.

Plantation, maintenance and protection