It wasn’t too long ago that most Americans thought of Bamboo as merely a snack for pandas. A lot has changed in the last twenty to thirty years. Now, you see bamboo in your clothing, as well as your flooring, cabinets, and kitchen tools, you’re aware that it is a great way to build homes, provides 35% more oxygen than an equivalent timber forest, never needs to be replanted, provides food, and the list just continues to grow.
With all the benefits of bamboo, have you ever considered growing your own little bamboo forest? Like managing any kind of forest or even small patch of land, you can do your part to improve the air quality, provide a simple screen-shade for your yard, or just enjoy the beauty of a fresh new plant growth at your home.
Okay, so I do want to point something out here. Contrary to popular belief, the “lucky bamboo” is not bamboo at all. In fact, while attractive and Feng Shui lucky, this plant is actually related to the lily family. So, if your growing lucky bamboo, instead of bamboo, take note.
Where can you grow bamboo in the United States?
With nearly 1,500 species of bamboo, depending on the species you want to grow the plant is found nearly everywhere in the planet. Some species can survive winter weather to as cold as -20-degrees F, while most species you are likely accustomed to grow in temperate to tropical zones such as Southeast Asia, South America and the Southeastern U.S. Essentially, with a little research you can find a great species to grow at home, in fact, many gardens in states such as Minnesota and Wisconsin (known for harsh winters) commonly have patches of bamboo as a garden staple.
Bamboo growing conditions
With so many species, a common theme you’ll find regarding bamboo is: Just find the right species of bamboo for your growing zone. While this is very true, there are some commonalities when it comes to bamboo growing conditions.
The first thing to mention, is that bamboo plants are tough and can tolerate a little neglect. That’s not to say you can just plant and then head off to Europe for two-weeks, but you don’t have to tend to bamboo as you would other plants.
Soil may not be a big concern either as it appears that bamboo can be planted in several different types of soil, although a harder soil such as clay may hold the bamboo at bay, in regards to expanding their own growth area–we’ll talk about this later. For some people, this might actually be a benefit.
Watering is important for bamboo, especially in the first weeks after planting, but it is also important to mention that as the plant grows bamboo may not tolerate poorly drained soil. So, when you are dealing with heavier soils it is important to incorporate gravel, grit or other material that will open up the soil and help prevent waterlogging.
Running vs, Clumping bamboo
The first thing you need to know about bamboo before you buy for planting is the difference between running or clumping bamboo. To understand this difference you need to look to rhizomes which are modified stems that run horizontally underground and new roots from their nodes. These new roots grow both downward and upward, storing essential nutrients for the plant as well as providing new reproductive growth. If you’re a gardener, you’ll know this process as an “invasive” plant such as Horsetails and Poison Ivy.
Bamboo has both running species, which you can consider invasive, and clumping. Due to the fast growth of bamboo – up to three feet in a day – you can imagine why a running plant can cause concern. Although, there are ways to keep even running species at bay to protect your yard, outbuildings and other areas. Still, if you just don’t want to deal with a running species you can opt for clumping bamboo such as:
• Fargesia ‘Rufa’
• Fargesia nitida
• Fargesia robusta
Many people prefer the running species of bamboo due to its strong growth, height and attractiveness. But, the concern over invasiveness is a real one and precautions should be made as these plants will grow fast. Like any invasive species of plant, even if you dig it up, you may not have dug it all up. There are several suggestions on how to prevent the invasive growth, but the one I’ve found that’s most practical is putting in an underground fence – a bamboo barrier – that is about 36” deep surrounding the area that you would like to keep the plant limited to.
A few running varieties you might want to consider are:
Qiongzhuea tumidissinoda
Arundinaria gigantea
Semiarundinaria fastuosa
Planting bamboo

Spring is the time to plant bamboo as you will be able to provide the plant with a full growing season to “plant its roots” so to speak. In warmer, moisture rich areas you give the plant a good full season to grow and “grab the soil” and in temperate and colder regions you provide the plant strength to prepare for the winter months.
Taking into consideration the preparation you’ll need to control your bamboo from running, the next place to go is your local nursery. Most bamboo you find in the nursery has rooted itself fully in their pots – go figure. Once cutting the “rootball” from the pot you’ll want to soak the roots in water for at least twenty minutes prior to planting.
The next step is to dig a hole about twice as wide in diameter as the rootball and about one and a half times as deep. While bamboo does well in most soils and may not need additional fertilizer, you are welcome to add organic fertilizer or manure to help build a strong plant.
After being planted it is important to water the plant well. In fact, it’s important to keep the plant well-watered for the first couple years after planting. Keeping the area around the plant well-mulched is also helpful as the mulch will help retain water in the soil. Although, if you don’t mulch the area, bamboo will eventually provide its own leaf mulch as it sheds its leaves.
After planting
Bamboo is relatively self-sufficient after planting, and this is especially so if you plant the right species in the right conditions and live in a moisture rich growing zone.
Pruning is one of the best ways to bring out the strength of your bamboo and keep it healthy. Bamboo won’t be affected by pests as it has a natural insecticide, so you will rarely have to worry about a diseased or dying plant. However, by pruning you can both show off the beauty of the plants stem as well as the young and attractive culms. When pruning, you are looking for the weak, damaged or older culms which can be identified by their yellowing or brownish color. In addition, you can remove the lower level branches.

While there are a lot of considerations when you first decide to grow your patch or small forest of bamboo, the efforts and research are well worth the time. Online research and working with your local nursery are important in learning more about growing bamboo and the benefits.

As our line of Rokn Yugen Soul designs grow we’d like to highlight our unique style to help you decide which bamboo socks fit your personality. So, each month we will introduce at least one design to help you explore your inner soul.

This month we feature one of our bolder options – the Harlequin Soul! To throw it out there I have to tell you that while designing these socks my mind was floating the heyday of Hollywood charm. I could see myself walking through a posh Beverly Hills mansion with elegant drapery, grand staircases and of course those checkered black and white marble floors. The idea of a tuxedoed gentleman opening doors and tipping a glass of champagne as black-tie party-goers assemble in the massive entry really had me going.

Sure, maybe I’d just finished watching Gatsby for the fifth time and Lana Del Rey was singing “Young and Beautiful” in the background. Perhaps my mind was flirting with Gatsby and Daisy embracing for the first time. Where ever my mind was, I could picture myself stepping into the glory days of elegance.

With so many of my designs bringing Zen-like soul to the forefront I was really looking for boldness in these organic bamboo socks. Naturally the checkered design was bouncing around my mind as images of red began to emerge. What I was seeing, whether I knew it or not – okay, I didn’t – was the diamond pattern of traditional pantomime – harlequin silent actors – commonly noted for their bright and distinctive patterned clothing. Perhaps you’ve seen the images at the circus, on posters or in Hollywood imagery. For me, the bold colors of black and red, along with the diamond pattern presented a new design option and style for the professional who likes to flirt with bold patterns.

Who is the Harlequin Soul man?

Harlequin Soul organic bamboo socks are for the Everyman who doesn’t mind taking the bold approach to show off his personality. Where everyone else at the office is dulled down in their black or blue socks, the Harlequin guy doesn’t mind adding a little pop to the board room. But, does it stop there? Of course not! After work the Harlequin guy can be seen sporting these bamboo socks as he hikes through the hills, skateboards down the street, or meets friends out for Tapas.

Personality Traits of the Harlequin Soul man:The Harlequin Soul man is quick witted, he knows his stuff, and doesn’t mind a little banter. He’s also playful, humorous and loves to share his fun-side with both friends and strangers. Sure, all of our bamboo socks are for the Everyman, but the Harlequin Soul man brings it to a new level.

You can imagine that when I started assembling a blog about Rokn Yugen Soul and incorporating bamboo there would be a lot to talk about. Of course, I’ll be getting to my company. But, after much deliberation, I realized that without bamboo and my love for it, my business would be non-existent. So, of course, our very first post will begin with my top reasons to save bamboo.

First off, this was one of the hardest things I’ve tried to narrow down. The more research I did on the importance of bamboo the more reasons I had to save it. I thought about making this a list of ten, or even twenty. But, the fact is starting a company is a challenge and I’m feeling like I want to take on another.

While this list is going to tackle my five favorite reasons, I do want to mention a few honorable mentions:

• Soil Protection
• Little waste
• Absorbs greenhouse gasses (so hard to not have this in the top five)

With those out of the way, here is my list…My Top Five Reasons to Save Bamboo!

1. Renewable Resource

You’ve heard the term renewable resource before. But, what is it? And, why is it so important? A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be replenished fast enough to not be over-harvested or over-used. Essentially, if utilized well the resource will live on indefinitely. Most people will easily be able to identify renewable energy such as wind, water, sunlight, etc. But, when we begin to look at other resources few provide the benefits of bamboo.

Bamboo is considered a natural resource due to how quickly it can be harvested after being planted. Depending on the species you will be looking at one to five years, which is significant considering many harvested trees take decades or longer. With over a million acres per week of the world’s forests being lost to deforestation, bamboo is a formidable alternative to hardwoods and a great way to protect other natural resources without depleting bamboo. But, the big thing here is we need to replant the bamboo for it to be a renewable resource.

2. Amazing Growth Rate

Okay, so I just touched on this, but bamboo’s growth rate really is amazing. There are really two things to the growth rate of bamboo. First is simple the speed which it grows. Again, depending on the species, there are some plants that grow 35” in a single day (Yeah, you read that right). It is known as the fastest growing plant. There are over 1400 species of bamboo, and while they don’t all grow 35” a day, they are all fast growers, reaching peak within five years.

Second, after being harvested the growers don’t need to regrow or plant from a seed. The root system will take care of everything. The plant will begin to grow a new shoot without further planting or cultivation the following spring.

3. Bamboo is Versatile

Bamboo is considered one of the most versatile resources in the world. For starters it can replace nearly any kind of application any other wood can produce. We’re talking paper, building materials, flooring, cutting boards, charcoals and the list goes on – a lot. But, that isn’t all. Bamboo can feed people and animals, build roads, furniture, bridges, scaffolding. It can be used to make diapers, instruments, medicine and even beer. But, of course, we have our personal favorite. Bamboo is an amazing way to create clothing with properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, hypoallergenic and of course, super soft.

4. Does Not Require Pesticides or Herbicides

So, this is what first got me into bamboo. As any parent, we worry about how things such as pesticides affect our children and out home. This is evident by the uptick in organic products available including clothing, lotions, medicines and of course, food. Bamboo is one of the few plants that don’t need the aid of pesticides or herbicides to be protected from insects. Bamboo has its own organic, antifungal and antibacterial agent. It’s extremely rare for bamboo to have problems with insects or to be affected by disease.

5. Economic Development

Among all of the benefits of bamboo, one thing often missed and why I want to highlight it here is that bamboo can provide the safety of economic development especially in less-developed countries. With over 1400 varieties of bamboo, the plant has become adaptable throughout a variety of growing conditions from arid, to wetlands and mountain regions. One of the plagues of mankind is that less-developed countries naturally fall into civil unrest partly due to lack of employment, infrastructure and a sustainable economy. Due to bamboos speed of growth, ability to be grown in several environments, as well as its multi-faceted manufacturing benefits, bamboo can provide jobs and growth in many lesser-developed and impoverished areas of the world.

Rokn Yugen Soul focuses on clothing made of bamboo. But, the more you begin to do your own research and follow us on our adventure the more you will find that bamboo is simply a gift, that like the rest of the world’s resources needs to be protected. To learn more about creating a sustainable world of bamboo visit Sustainable Harvest International.

Our Featured Sock Is the Lady Soul. I absolutely fell in love with this design during my renderings. I have a great appreciation for Buddhism and became eager to know more about their different statues and symbolism’s. Did you know there is a Buddha statue in Vietnam standing 30 stories tall? At 217 feet it faces the sea at the highest terrain of the peninsula. Inside the statue there are 17 floors. Each floor worships a different Buddha. From the top of the Buddha’s head you can view the whole city and overlook the ocean. I am sure this is truly a spectacular.

Sustainable Harvest International helps the planet, communities and families in so many ways. One important program is their tree planting initiative. To date, Sustainable Harvest International has planted 4 million trees across Central America. Farmers and Families come together in these needed areas to help plant trees, thanks to the generous support of donors. Trees, like Bamboo, can help make a crucial change to improve the environment, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. Planting trees also help prevent floods, landslides and extreme events.