I have heard about one type that you can use the stems to make things out of. I like fiddling around with wood and would like to do something with bamboo - yes I can use power tools. What sort would be ok for this but doesn't get out of control and what conditions does it like? Also how much room would it need eg could I put it down in the back corner or should it go out in the paddock? Also suggestions for what I could make with this bamboo. Is it strong enough for furniture like garden benches, etc?

Also interested in smaller ornamental types with attractive foliage that spread no more than half metre or so to use as a fill in.

Sorry about all the questions but I would love to hear what types anyone else has.

If you have the room I think it would be best if you put it in the paddock as the clumps do get thicker that is unless you want it for a screening purpose. This way you can grow as much as you want and have clumps as thick as you want. Only ever buy Clumping bamboo to put in the ground, if you want to grow running bamboo thats ok too but it should always be contained, or in a pot sitting on a slab so if you do see the roots coming out you can deal with them.

You really need Richard here, he know heaps about Bamboo and there are so many websites on the Internet where you can get info and there is always the library, thats what started me off I read this book in Townsville about all the furniture you could make, but by time we came down here and built this house I had enough of making things these days I only want to be the gardener not the carpenter.

Fine are lovely too, nothing nicer than bamboo swaying in the breeze, I dont have any of the fine ones Yet I was hopeing to get one from Santa also I was thinking of buying Santa a Giant Buddha belly that is a fantastic plant its culms are huge I think they are the ones that they make the frames for the Asian lounge suites but I could be wrong.

GH have a look at our Tropical Plants Forum you will find lots of posts on Bamboo there the link below is one of mine about a fine bamboo, also look on the USA site you will be reading forever. Hope this helps a bit till Richard sees your post....Cheers...MM

I will try to elaborate on the good info Misty has already offered.
First of all i want to avoid any potential "Giant clumps" that you fear!(Unless of course you want one!)Do you live on acreage or a suburban size block? That plays a large part in deciding which bamboo to plant.
If you have a large block/Acreage then Bambusa oldhamii would be a good choice but be aware this can grow VERY large,but does provide strong timber for building furniture etc and delicious shoots.
Ghost Bamboo (Dendrocalamus minor var.Amoenus) grows up to 8 metres in height,has large tropical leaves and a chalky white/grey culms.This bamboo is very fast growing and perfect for a tropical style garden or a screen.
Gracilis(Bambusa textilis var.Gracilis)is another great plant for a screen or garden feature.The leaves are smaller than Ghost and very much looks like a "classical" bamboo .Gracilis grows very erect and up to 6-8 metres in height.The culms can be aten or used for craft work.
For a great smaller bamboo in filtered sun/afternoon shade then i would definately advise "Nepalese Blue" (Himalayacalamus porcatus) this is fairly new in Australia and has very graceful foliage and grows 3-4 metres.
If you really wanted some spectacular specimens i would suggest "Java Black"(Gigantochloa atroviolacea),"China Gold"(Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata) or Bambusa chungii they all have beautiful colours but expect to pay a bit more for them.
Either way whatever one you choose ,i wish you happy growing,once you start growing these lovely plants you will become hooked!(Like me!)
Cheers

We have a small acreage but most of it is for a horse (more if the kids have their way). I can put a clump in the paddock but don't want it getting away. I think a plant around 7-8m would be ok but what spread would they have? I would love a really big one like the buddha one you mentioned MM but don't know if I would be allowed (the better half does do as he's told most of the time but...)

Some of the smaller ones sound good in the garden where they could have part shade.

Richard, I hope I don't get too hooked because they all sound good. I'll have to talk the better half into going for a drive to the bamboo nursery soon, but better not take the bankcard!

MM, Glad someone else knows how to use power tools. It annoys me to go into a hardware shop and get treated like an idiot by someone who works there but has never used tools before.

You can separate them if they are getting out of hand, but its not easy with a spade mattock and crowbar if you are getting on in years, for the young ones it is different, or cut off the Bamboo shoots and eat them, so the spread is as big as YOU want it.

I get a lot of respect from Males in Hardwear shops NOW it could be the grey hair but I do know more than the average Guy would know about building houses, though I do know what you mean. If you have a Library handy see if they have a old copy of Gardening Australia February 2004 it has a article about Bamboo in it. Cheers...MM.

We went and bought 2 bamboo plants on the weekend, we were just going to get one but couldn't decide on one! Would have liked more but deliberately didn't take too much money.

We chose Bambusa oldhamii as we thought it the best all purpose variety for our needs and Bambusa vulgaris cv Vittata because it looked quite pretty with the stripes. Both a bit bigger than we wanted but we have the room so went for it.

Now I've just got to talk him into the smaller, pretty ornamental ones :-)