Day 18: In Which We Create A Better Home

Since our last update the bamboo has been growing all together in a single garbage bag-lined cardboard box. Two stalks with root-balls and a giant hunk of root. The planter that we've been building was completed today and is ready for its first resident.

We've decided that the giant hunk of root will be moved to the new planter and the stalks will remain in the cardboard box for now.

We ventured forth to the Home Depot to get more potting soil. It was raining and, needless to say, these Little Dudes got wet. When we arrived back at the office we got the new soil to our location on the second floor and went to work. With little mess, we got the giant hunk of root transplanted to the new box. See it here:



We've been discussing that it might be a while before we see any growth. In fact, it could be months before we know if this hunk of root pans out. It could die and we'd never know. Rufus indicated that they generally sprout in the spring, but we think it might be sooner since we're growing indoors.

Day 12: In Which Background Is Provided

It just occurred to me that it may be unclear why we'd want to build a Wall of Bamboo. Especially at work. Obviously this is a distraction from our jobs and our employer would probably prefer that we do work that will help the "bottom line" and all that stuff. So let's go over a few things.

We work in a LEED-Certified Platinum building. So this is a really "Green" place. Part of working in a place like this is that there are lots of tour groups going through building in the middle of the day. One of the stopping points in the tour is right in front of our desks.

It's not to point out the two funny Little Dudes, so you can cut the jokes right there.

So these people, kids, senior-citizens, etc. like to stare and watch us work while the person leading the tour talks about green-stuff. This is, as you might imagine, a little unsettling.

We discussed various ways of "entertaining" the tour groups. Mock fights, throwing things, various obscene gestures, that sort of thing. But we finally realized that we needed to be shielded from these strangers. And so the idea of the Wall of Living Bamboo was born. The Green Wall. Project Bambusa.

It's going to literally be green and we're in a green building... so we think it kind of works. It goes along with the theme, right?

So that's where we are now. We'll meet Rufus on Wednesday to dig some bamboo out of his backyard. Pictures and more will be posted.

Day 11: In Which The Seeds of Greatness Are Planted

Today we planted a small bamboo stalk in a custom-built box. Measuring 2.5ft long and caulked to make it water-tight, this vessel will be the symbolic mascot for the entire project. Check out some pictures below:



We filled the box with potting soil, loosely packed. Then we added the small bamboo plant that inspired this entire endeavor. We don't expect this plant to grow to become part of our Wall of Wonderous Bamboo. No, we expect this little grower to be the symbol of excellence. The face of Project Bambusa!, if you will.




The Implementation Team of Little Dudes: Travis and Brooks.




The final product:



In other news, while filling the box with dirt on the loading dock, we noticed that two very large wooden boxes had been delivered. We realized that these awesome boxes would be perfect for planting our Rufus-provided bamboo. After a discussion with the Dude In The Mailroom, we made a deal to get the smaller box after it had been opened and relieved of its contents. So this thing is, like, 6ft long, 3ft wide and 6in deep. In other words, perfect. We're going to have to go to Home Depot to get more soil. More pictures will be provided once we have the new planter in our possession. It's going to take a little elbow grease before it's ready for planting, but I think it's going to work out okay.

Day 1: In Which We Meet Rufus

Today was a big day. It was the first on our quest to create a wall of living bamboo. We have dubbed this quest, Project Bambusa!

We met the operative for lunch. He goes by the name of Rufus. He claims that bamboo grows in his backyard and that he'd be willing to let us come and dig some up. We settle on next week. Rufus, by the way, is a Little Dude.

Back at the office, more questions arise regarding how we will house the bamboo once it comes into our possession. We settle on building a 24x24 box, complete with drainage. Rufus told us that we should expect new shoots to pop up in early spring, so we're thinking that this box will be big enough.