Can I Sell Bamboo?

RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post By Rick R. (Guest Post) (07/10/2008) It sounds like the plant in the original posting is not true bamboo at all, but is instead an invasive plant called Japanese Knotweed. This plant has large spade-shaped leaves and small white flowers that grow in clusters. True bamboo almost never flowers, and it dies if it does, and its leaves are long and narrow. Knotweed leaves behind lots of dead canes every year, which is why it is often mistaken for bamboo. Most real bamboos are evergreen, so the canes do not die in the fall or winter, except in very cold areas. And while true bamboo is in high demand (Worth 25$ to 50$ for a 3-foot-tall plant.), so plants can be dug up and sold for a considerable amount of money, Knotweed is just a nuisance plant that nobody wants. However, both plants grow from underground stems called rhizomes. And the only way to get rid of either plant, is to get rid of or kill those rhizomes. Just killing the part above the ground will not kill the plants, they will just keep sending up new shoots from the underground stems. Probably the best way to get rid of them, is to dig them out (Look for long, thick, pale-colored "roots". But even doing this often takes years to work, because if you miss even a very small piece of rhizome, then it will begin to grow a whole new plant. Do not ever use a rototiller on them! Knotweed can produce a new plant from a 1/8th-inch bit of rhizome, so all you would do is make your job a million times harder! And if you do dig out the rhizomes, do not compost them! Either burn them, or put them in your garbage. Rick R. Linden, Pennsylvania bansheguy at yahoo dot com Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post By Carol in PA (Guest Post) (03/25/2008) We have a problem with bamboo here in NE PA. It is taking over everywhere. It spreads by seed and by roots. It is along every creekbed and railway track. It is in the ditches alongside the roads. Its just terrible. My sister tried to kill it in the front of her house. She put cardboard on it thinking that to deprive it of sunlight would kill it.. No luck. She sprayed RoundUp and another time clorox on it. No luck there. The roots are deeply entrenched. If I were you, I'd just be glad to get rid of it. I have it alongside my driveway and try to keep up with it by cutting it down before it matures, but soon the whole state of Pennsylvania will be nothing but bamboo. I'm sorry I don't have much to say that is good about it. (rofl) Warm wishes for the best of luck always. PS. I recently purchased blinds made of bamboo for my bedroom but wouldn't think of bringing that nasty bamboo into my home. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post By TJ (Guest Post) (03/19/2008) Contact your local zoo. If they have panda bears, they eat bamboo. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post by melody_yesterday (413) | (03/18/2008) Profile | Blog! | Contact Cut it down, dry it out & sell it. Lots of things are made of it! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post By stngray (Guest Post) (03/18/2008) What kind of bamboo do you have? Some bamboo is invasive. Some is not. I have the invasive kind. Before I planted mine, I bought bamboo poles from people for different purposes, fences, curtain rods. etc. I love bamboo and so do a lot of people. I think you can sell it if you know what kind you have and you can tell them. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post by Cyinda (628) | (03/17/2008) Profile | Contact YES! I'd buy it. Sell it at Saturday Farmers Markets. You'll have to buy a bunch of pots wholesale to plant them in. You can also train it into spirals when it's young like they do "lucky bamboo". Some kinds of bamboo can grow in ONLY water (lucky bamboo) maybe your bamboo is one of them. Some needs dirt & pots. You'll probably have to purchase a case or so of small pots wholesale & have someone deliver a pile of potting soil to your driveway (eventually). But in the mean time, start out small with several BAGS of potting soil & SEE how well they little devils sell. * An important tip is to print out flyers that educate your public about how bamboo can take over. These guys sell garden bed liners so the bamboo won't take over your neighbors yard. Their called "Rhizome Barriers". Read what they say about them: http://www.bamboogardener.com/containment.html * On the flyer, tell your customer where to buy these "Rhizome Barriers". also, care of bamboo & of course, your name, number, e-mail & how to contact you to buy more bamboo in the future... Print out a nice sign to hang at your booth (you'll need to buy an "EZ-UP" tent to sell at Saturday Markets & to get in, you'll need to be "jurried in". This is the time to check that out, as they are screening for new members at farmers markets RIGHT NOW. in March or April. Just Google "Farmers Markets in your state or city". I'm an artist & I make my living selling at Farmers Markets. (small as it in). These days, people are buying LESS & less. but they ALWAYS want things for their gardens & plants. Garden art, plants & garden furniture are the BIGGEST selling items at our market! * To sell "Lucky Bamboo": When the bamboo is very young, start "training" it around different shapes so you get bamboo spirals etc, etc. You can also weave bamboo while it's young & playable into VERY cool designs & as it grows it retains these wonderful shapes! You MAY be able to just sell this "Lucky Bamboo" in water... BUT, people like FANCY pots & GOOD LOOKING things they can give as gifts. (bamboo in really nice pots would be your "High End" price range). You need to have ALL price ranges. Your bamboo sold without pots ( only in a bag with water) could be your "Low End" price range. The low end will probably be your "bread & butter". Meaning, you'll sell A LOT of the less expensive plants. You'll also need boxes, & plastic bags with water in them for people to take their bamboo home in. A don't forget a receipt book calculator & change. * Don't forget your state & city tax numbers & Business license requirements (Each town has different rules). Call the market you want to sell at & they'll give you the low-down on what licenses you'll need. You may be able to also sell to stores, but you'll first have to certify that your plants are "disease free". ---> Your absolute MOST important requirement: GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! If anyone ever complains to me about ANYTHING at all (even if it's THEIR fault) I ALWAYS give them a brand new item of their choice. I NEVER argue with a customer. Treat them like kings & queens & they'll always come back! GREAT Customer service is TOP PRIORITY! See your service through your customers eyes! How many times have you said: "I'll never go back THERE again!" or, WOW! great service, they REALLY treated me right!... It makes a HUGE difference! Customer Service is the difference between a "so-so" business & a GREAT, topnotch business! PS. Dress in conservative dark clothes. That way it's your product they are looking at, not you! Same thing with your display. Keep it simple. Solid Black, easily laundered table cloths work best. You'll also need light weight tables that fold to fit into your vehicle & a folding chair. The better your display looks, the more you'll sell. Display accounts for 50% of sales. If you have a helper with you. Don't spend your time talking with them, the customer won't want o interrupt you to ask questions about your product. It's best to sell alone & just have someone there to help you set up & break down. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post By Heidi (Guest Post) (03/17/2008) YES! You can sell it! Locate a bamboo grower in your area and they will come and remove it and pay you, depending on what type it is and how rare it is. I have a neighbor that sold all of hers and was quite happy that she didn't have to do the hard work of digging it up. And some kinds of bamboo are worth a great deal of money, so you might also be pleased with the results. You might also post it on craigslist to see if anyone is willing to come dig it up and pay you for it. Good Luck. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post by theseamstress (311) | (03/17/2008) Contact if its big why not take some to your local flee market to sell, would make good fishing poles Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post by perfume and powder (557) | (03/17/2008) Profile | Contact Bamboo is so invasive most people wouldn't want it unless it's in a container. Maybe you can sell stalks, like the "lucky" bamboo that's so popular now. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Can I Sell Bamboo? Post by luvmygingerkids (386) | (03/17/2008) Profile | Blog! | Contact Try posting it for free on Freecycle. Report Spam or Abuse