Although bamboo is sometimes thought to be a tree, it's actually a grass. There are thousands of varieties; some of them grow only 2 inches tall, while others can grow 2 to 3 feet in a single day and can reach heights of 120 feet (figure A)! There are two types of bamboos. The runners, which are more suited to cooler climates, give the plant its bad reputation, because they send out roots that will travel 10 to 15 feet a year. Some people recommend dropping a pot of bamboo into the ground as a means of containing the runners, but Thompson says the roots will escape a pot. Therefore he recommends the use of a special thick plastic, available in gardening centers, to keep the roots from spreading. The clumpers, which are suited to warm climates, send out new shoots only at the base, so they can be more easily contained than their invasive cousins. Bamboo generally needs a lot of sun, fertilizer and water -- but they don't like for their roots to stand in water, so be judicious. Spring is a good time to trim off any dead leaves to make way for new foliage. Bamboo makes great stakes for stabilizing other plants; just be sure that you don't stick it too close to the plant, as you could damage the roots. Then simply tie the plant to the bamboo with tie-tape. Bamboo facts: - Some types are edible.
- It's good at thwarting erosion and retarding weed growth.
- It can be used for shade, as a wind break and as an acoustic barrier.
- Bamboo predates humans by 100 million to 200 million years.
- The plant can be found on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.
- There are approximately 1,500 different species.
- All bamboo that originates from the same population will flower, produce seed and die at exactly the same time, regardless of its location on Earth.
Festival Exhibit: Opportunity Gardens for Gardeners With Special Needs Gardening has been proven to lift spirits, lower blood pressure and stimulate the senses. Nowadays gardens are being used as therapy to restore bodies limited by injury, disease, disability or age. At Epcot's Opportunity Garden, people who might not ordinarily be able to garden can use specialized tools and adapted gardens to enrich their lives. Horticultural therapists around the world have introduced a number of innovations to help persons with special needs enjoy the pleasures of gardens: - Special gardening tools (figure B)
- Access ramps
- Raised beds
- Wider paths
- Hanging baskets on pulleys (figure C)
- Portable therapy gardens for nursing homes and hospitals (figure D).
Note: For a tour of Disney's Epcot Center map, click here , available using  .
RESOURCES :
American Bamboo Society
American Bamboo Society
Albany , NY 12203-5976
Email: abs@bamboo.org
Website: www.americanbamboo.org
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