Lookin' for ideas...

[RHughes]

Lookin\' for ideas...

I've got a fair sized patch or river cane on my property. Every year I end up bush bush hogging it back to keep it from spreading. I've been tempted to soak in in 245T or Tordon and be done with it, but that seems like a waste.
Any ideas on how I might turn this into a minor money making venture? I was thinking of a custom fishin' pole business, but I think "hi-tech" may have got the the better of that several years ago. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regards,

 

[DavidJ]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

Cut it in 4' lengths and sell it for privacy fence material. I saw them do that on a home improvement show.

 

[itsmecindi]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

I would kill to have some bamboo, or sugar cane or river cane growing on my property. Funny how whatever you don't have you can think up a million uses for. Top on my list is temporary roof material. When I put in my garden, some of the stuff in it gets burned because we have so much sun here and it's so hot. I've often thought if I could get my hands on a good supply of cane I could put up temporary shelters with t-posts and block out a little of the sun on some of the less sun greedy plants. Cane and t-posts I could take down and move around. I thought of trying it with palmetto fronds but they throw too much shade and don't grow over about three feet in length.

 

[MossRoad]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

That's what we do with this stuff. We use to think it was bamboo, but recenlty changed our thinking to giant reed grass. Anyway, it is segmented and hollow like bamboo. We cut it into lengths and make a roof for the kids playhouse with it. It grows fast. That picture shows it at about 22 feet.

 

[pajoube]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

We use as much as we can get for plant stakes. Was in PIT last week and got a load we cut into 8 foot lengths that was about 3 inches in diameter. Pay good money for that stuff.
PJ

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

Check with your local nurseries and see if they'd consider handling "home grown" cane in their stores. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Egon]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

Might be able to make some trellis or arbours or mandrils for Xmas tree lights etc.

Egon

 

[Richard]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

Wifey & I just got back from a store in Chattanooga that used bamboo (which we have on the land) and made a "hut" like you saw in Gilligans Island, though only maybe 10x10.

Seems she now wants me to make one for her too.

(Ginger, or MaryAnn....)

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[RHughes]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

Thanks for the great ideas! The idea of privacy fencing is something I never never would have considered.

Regards!

 

[Chuck52]

Re: Lookin\' for ideas...

Not exactly a major use, but when I was in grade school, I made and sold a few pea shooters using river cane. Got a whole nickel a piece as I recall. They were really great for spit wads. I remember a contest once to see how many we could stick on the blackboard before the teacher got back.

Chuck