Making objects with bamboo can be a fun activity; however, you must wait for it to dry before using it. This process is called seasoning. If you leave the reeds (also called culms) to air dry, it takes 6 to 12 weeks; however, there are other ways to treat them properly so that you can do some home projects.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: for Household Projects
Step 1. Choose the type of bamboo to harvest
If you want to use it for home projects, you need to find suitable culms, which are basically the stems that grow out of the ground. Look for the longer and straighter ones; these culms are usually the strongest ones and become thinner towards the upper end, this means that you have the possibility to use different sized rods for your work.
Step 2. Pay attention to parasites
Before starting bamboo treatment and storage, you need to remove any insects that are present. The culms may have fungi, insects, or other problems that can create an infestation and spread disease to the rest of the bamboo grove.
- Check for rings that may indicate the presence of fungus. Although fungi are primarily a cosmetic problem and can be removed, they become harmful if they spread; if you notice that only a few canes from a healthy group are infested, you should simply throw them away.
- Some viral infections leave mosaic-like marks and in this case you should get rid of the diseased stalks; you must also discard those that are covered with a black, sooty mold.
- Pests and insects can also infest bamboo. Check for the presence of a white substance on the tips of the rods; in this case, remove the leaves at the end and look for small pink bugs. Eliminate any infested joint because the pesticides needed to get rid of the infestation are expensive and take time to be effective.
Step 3. Prepare the culms
Once you have collected and eradicated any infestations, you need to prepare them for seasoning. If you need them for home projects, the best method is to simply use a grill; to proceed, you need to saw the reeds into easily manageable pieces about 1.5m long; for this purpose, you can use a saw or a wire cutter that you can buy in major hardware stores.
Step 4. Use heat
You can use a gas barbecue to proceed with the drying of the rods; remove the grid and put the culms inside one at a time.
- Set the maximum temperature. Check if the bamboo changes color slightly; this alteration indicates that the resin rises from the surface, an important aspect of curing, since it strengthens the canes.
- Take an old rag and rub the resin on the stems. The surface should turn from dark green to a lighter shade; when the whole barrel takes on this color evenly, transfer it elsewhere to cool it.
- Wait for the temperature to cool enough to allow you to touch the culm. Next, drill holes on the internal membranes; To do this, you can use any tool that allows you to make holes, such as a sharp pair of scissors. This step helps speed up the drying process.
Step 5. Take security measures
Always wear protective gloves during treatment to avoid burns. When you remove the bamboo from the barbecue to dry, place it on a non-flammable surface to prevent it from catching fire.
Part 2 of 3: Seasoning a Large Amount of Bamboo
Step 1. Prepare a storage area
If you need to dry a large amount of bamboo, you need to have a suitable area to store it so that it can dry out safely and healthily.
- Do not place the culms directly on the ground to prevent infestation of insects or mycosis.
- Also avoid drying them in direct sunlight, as this could cause a rapid change in indoor humidity; as a result, the culms may break and dry out, cover them with a cloth instead.
- Make sure they are in a properly ventilated area to prevent damage during the drying process.
Step 2. Decide whether to stack them horizontally or vertically
You can choose between the two options, as both have advantages and disadvantages.
- The good thing about vertical storage is that there is less chance of yeast infections; however, it is necessary to have a sturdy support system to prevent the posts from bending.
- Keeping the reeds horizontally is the best solution if you have to stack a large amount; in this case, place them on a large platform after covering it with a thick and wide cloth in order to protect the bamboo from possible mycosis. However, pay attention to those that are at the bottom, as they could break.
- Depending on the type of storage chosen (horizontal or vertical) it is necessary to rotate the poles every 15 days; this step allows a uniform seasoning on their entire circumference. It takes about 6-12 weeks to complete the process.
Step 3. Prevent damage
Even when properly stored, the stalks may deteriorate as they dry out, but there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening.
- Bamboo sometimes breaks during the drying process, but you can prevent this by wrapping wire around the ends of the reeds.
- When the culms are perfectly dry, it can sometimes happen that they lose their shiny appearance, which you can restore by gently greasing them and applying a wax when the drying process is complete.
Step 4. Consider soaking the bamboo before treatment
Although the method described so far is the more traditional method for curing reeds, some people soak them in water before air-drying them; in fact, it seems that in this way there are less chances that fungi and mold will develop, depending on the geographical area in which you live. The procedure consists in soaking the canes for 90 days and then letting them dry in a sunny area for 2 weeks; however, it is not a suitable method if you live in an area with very high temperatures.
Part 3 of 3: Preliminary Steps
Step 1. Collect bamboo during the proper season
If you are considering seasoning it, you must first harvest it and know which are the most suitable periods to proceed.
- The best time to harvest it is towards the end of the dry season; in this period the starch content is at its maximum, making attacks by fungi and parasites less likely.
- If there is a rainy season in your geographic area, avoid harvesting bamboo during this time, as wood is generally more susceptible to damage in the presence of a lot of humidity.
Step 2. Cut it properly
Use a machete or saw, being careful to cut just above the first or second knot from the ground; this is the best place to cut the bamboo to avoid damage during storage and transport.
Step 3. Be careful during transportation
Once cut, you need to make sure you handle it carefully, otherwise you could do damage.
- Transport it by lifting it off the ground and loading it on a wheelbarrow or truck; if you drag it to the ground you can ruin it.
- Do not throw the stalks on hard ground as you could damage them; when you reach the storage area, place them gently.
Step 4. Collect only the ripe bamboo canes
Avoid cutting those that are too young or too old; to get the best results you have to choose those that are between 4 and 7 years old.
- Bamboo tends to grow in groups; the innermost culms are older than those that grow more externally.
- Consult an experienced bamboo grower who can tell you the age of the canes by tapping them and listening to the different sounds.
