Editing Bamboo (section)

==Cultivation==
{{multiple image
| align = center
| total_width = 700
| image1 = Bamboo-yellow.jpg
| caption1 = Bamboo foliage with yellow stems (probably ''[[Phyllostachys aurea]]'')
| image2 = Phyllostachys nigra folium.jpg
| caption2 = Bamboo foliage with black stems (probably ''[[Phyllostachys nigra]]'')
| image3 = Bamboo shoot-phyllostachys parvifolia-jx1241c.jpg
| caption3 = A young bamboo shoot (''[[Phyllostachys parvifolia]]'')
| image4 = 20200704 Bamboo barrier.jpg
| caption4 = A bamboo hedge contained by an in-ground barrier, shown during and after construction
}}

===General===
{{Excerpt|Bamboo cultivation}}
In Brazil, the [http://www.cebis.org.br Brazilian Center for Innovation and Sustainability - CEBIS], a non-profit organization, promotes the development of Brazil's bamboo production chain. Last year{{When|date=December 2023}}, it helped with the approval of law n~21,162 in the state of [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]], which encourages Bamboo Culture aiming at the dissemination of its agricultural cultivation and the valorization of bamboo as an instrument for promoting the sustainable socioeconomic development of the State through its multiple functionalities. Bamboo cultivation neutralizes carbon emissions. Bamboo cultivation is cheap and in addition to adding value to its production chain, it is a sustainable crop that brings environmental, economic and social benefits. Its production can be used from construction to food. Recently, it was qualified and classified for the National Commission for Sustainable Development Objectives - CNDOS of the Presidency of the Republic of the federal government of Brazil.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

===Harvesting===
[[File:Bamboo Harvesting - Mahimapur - Murshidabad 2017-03-28 6129.JPG|thumb|Bamboo harvested at [[Murshidabad]]]]
[[File:Local farmer nearby the park.jpg|thumb|Harvested bamboo transported by river near Ramsai, [[Jalpaiguri]]]]

Bamboo used for construction purposes must be harvested when the culms reach their greatest strength and when sugar levels in the [[sap]] are at their lowest, as high sugar content increases the ease and rate of [[Pest (organism)|pest]] infestation. As compared to forest trees, bamboo species grow fast. Bamboo plantations can be readily harvested for a shorter period than tree plantations.<ref>{{cite book|title=Non-Wood Forest Products of the Philippines|last1=Razal|first1=Ramon|last2=Palijon|first2=Armando|publisher=El Guapo Printing Press, Calamba Printing Press|year=2009|isbn=978-971-579-058-1|location=Calamba City, Laguna|pages=145}}</ref>

Harvesting of bamboo is typically undertaken according to these cycles:
* '''Lifecycle of the culm''': As each individual [[Culm (botany)|culm]] goes through a five to seven-year lifecycle, they are ideally allowed to reach this level of maturity prior to full capacity harvesting. The clearing out or thinning of culms, particularly older decaying culms, helps to ensure adequate light and resources for new growth. Well-maintained clumps may have a productivity three to four times that of an unharvested wild clump. Consistent with the lifecycle described above, bamboo is harvested from two to three years through to five to seven years, depending on the species.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Panda |first1=H. |title=Bamboo Plantation and Utilization Handbook |date=Oct 6, 2011 |publisher=Asia Pacific Business Press, Inc. |page=168}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Marie |first1=Joanne |title=Bamboo Harvesting and Growing |url=https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/bamboo-harvesting-growing-18033612.php |agency=Week& |publisher=Hearst Newspapers |access-date=17 June 2023 |archive-date=17 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617181605/https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/bamboo-harvesting-growing-18033612.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''Annual cycle''': Most all growth of new bamboo occurs during the [[wet season]] and disturbing the clump during this phase will potentially damage the upcoming crop, while harvesting immediately prior to the wet/growth season may also damage new shoots, therefore harvesting is best a few months prior to the start of the wet season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hornaday |first1=Fred |title=Harvesting Bamboo: When, why and how |url=https://bambubatu.com/harvesting-bamboo-when-why-and-how/ |website=Bambu Batu|date=22 August 2022 }}</ref> Also during this high-rainfall period, sap levels are at their highest, and then diminish towards the [[dry season]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hasan |first1=S.M. |title=STUDIES ON GROWTH AND MATURITY OF BAMBOO CULMS |journal=The Commonwealth Forestry Review |date=June 1975 |volume=54 |issue=2 |pages=147–153}}</ref>
* '''Daily cycle''': During the height of the day, [[photosynthesis]] is at its peak, producing the highest levels of sugar in sap, making this the least ideal time of day to harvest and many traditional practitioners believe the best time to harvest is at dawn or dusk on a waning moon.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schröder |first1=Stéphane |title=When and How to Harvest Bamboo |url=https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/when-and-how-to-harvest-bamboo |publisher=Guadua Bamboo}}</ref>

===Leaching===
Leaching is the removal of sap after harvest. In many areas of the world, the sap levels in harvested bamboo are reduced either through leaching or post-harvest photosynthesis.
For example:{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
* Cut bamboo is raised clear of the ground and leaned against the rest of the clump for one to two weeks until leaves turn yellow to allow full consumption of sugars by the plant.
* A similar method is undertaken, but with the base of the culm standing in fresh water, either in a large drum or stream to leach out sap.
* Cut culms are immersed in a running stream and weighted down for three to four weeks.
* Water is pumped through the freshly cut culms, forcing out the sap (this method is often used in conjunction with the injection of some form of treatment).

In the process of water leaching, the bamboo is dried slowly and evenly in the shade to avoid cracking in the outer skin of the bamboo, thereby reducing opportunities for pest infestation.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Durability of bamboo in construction is directly related to how well it is handled from the moment of planting through harvesting, transportation, storage, design, construction, and maintenance. Bamboo harvested at the correct time of year and then exposed to ground contact or rain will break down just as quickly as incorrectly harvested material.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Myers|first1=Evan T.|title=Structural Bamboo Design in East Africa|url=https://www.academia.edu/5108420|publisher=[[Kansas State University]]|access-date=18 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216111453/http://www.academia.edu/5108420/Structural_Design_of_Bamboo_in_East_Africa|archive-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>