Gaby
In China, bamboo is used to make plumbing pipes and even woven cushions. On Sumatra, it’s crafted into snuff boxes, mats, and hats, while Malaysians use it to floor their huts. Residents of the Pacific Islands create masts and sails for their boats from bamboo. The earthen mounds surrounding villages on the island of Java are also reinforced with bamboo weaving. Bamboo is even used to make paper and many other essential items.
Bamboo is a valuable plant. However, the most intriguing fact is that throughout its life—some species can live up to 120 years—bamboo does not flower. And when it finally does bloom, it’s truly a disaster for the community! The reason is that immediately after flowering, bamboo groves perish…
It’s hard to say whether methods to extend the life of bamboo groves have been sought in countries where this plant feeds and clothes people. But in our country, such work has been done. Soviet scientists discovered a way to prolong the life of this remarkable plant. Just before it flowers, the entire bamboo grove should be cut down, the young shoots destroyed, and the root system chopped into pieces. This way, the grove can begin its new growth cycle.
