Cob: slab .. was Introduction

[Haugland, John]

Hi Darel:
Do the canes native to the southern US perform as well as bamboo, so we
can encourage a more local economy here and not have to import/grow an
exotic species from SE Asia?

John
 

-----Original Message-----
From: D.J. Henman [mailto:henman at it.to-be.co.jp] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 11:21 PM
Cc: coblist at deatech.com
Subject: Re: Cob: slab .. was Introduction

Mick,
Re: i like that idea but i'd be worried about a wood floor base because 
of moisture and/or termites.
 >i like the bamboo idea because it's probably very cheap down there and

no trees need to be cut
 >down, but i wonder if it is as susceptible to rot and termites as wood
is.

One trick with the bamboo is to harvest it at the right time.   In 
central Japan that is around the first two weeks of November, I 
believe.   The point is to harvest it when most of the starch goes down 
into the root system for the winter.   You would have to check this with

you local species.   For all year round same temperatures, the plants 
would still follow the cycle. 

The bamboo then used as a wattle and covered with a clay duab can last 
hundreds of years.   As for the exposed ones, I seen used for flooring 
and even outside decks to chairs, not much was done to preserve it.   I 
guess they just like to see it age and then redo it when needed.

There is some way to bug proof it, but you'd have get that info from 
some bamboo association.

Darel
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