2001

 
 

December 8, 2001

   An update on what has been going on with us lately. We have been and are currently working on a very large order for the Memphis Zoo.  The pandas will be arriving in May of 2002, I think. When a zoo applies for pandas,  it can take years to get approved and then the rush for bamboo begins. Most zoos have a wide selection of bamboo growing, but very few have the amount to support these very special animals. From our meeting last year, with the American Bamboo Society at the Atlanta Zoo, we learned some interesting facts about the pandas. The ones at the Atlanta Zoo are consuming anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds of bamboo daily. The Atlanta Zoo was providing around 6 species for the pandas to select from. It varied, from day to day, as to which variety they would eat. Much of bamboo given to them is wasted, but they need this much in order to survive. So the Memphis Zoo has its work cut out for it in the months to come They are creating a browse farm for the pandas.  They have selected several species that the pandas and other zoo animals can consume. The zoo has plans to purchase several hundred bamboo divisions from various bamboo nurseries and we were lucky enough to be able to provide some of the much needed bamboo.

This Summer and Fall has been good for the bamboo rhizome growth with plenty of rain. It was quite different than the drought we experienced the year before. Hopefully, we will have plenty of new plants this Spring and can offer a better selections this up coming Summer and Fall. While many gardeners, in warmer climate zones, are still ordering, our mail orders are down right now. It is often over looked that this is a prime time to get your selections on hold for this next Spring. We can hold your order until Spring when the ground thaws and you are ready to plant. Many gardeners wait until Spring fever sets in and then many of our bamboo divisions are on hold or sold already. Our Spring ordering really takes off around January so just let us know if you would like to get the jump and place any on hold at this time. I will be adding a few pictures of the bamboo divisions going to the Memphis Zoo so check back over the next couple of weeks. We also have purchased over ten new species of bamboo in the last couple of months. Yes, I am still collecting and will never have enough. We have around 112 species with the latest additions and we will continue to clear planting areas and add more as time allows.
 
 

September 6, 2001

     It has been a busy summer for us and I haven't had time to work on this page. Below is the last picture of the Moso series. Also are a few photos of some grove cleaning and the resulting poles that were harvested.