09-02-2009, 06:54 AM
That is interesting about the rats and bamboo. I am a bamboo enthusiast and know about the flowering, but didn't know it brought on rats. There are many species of bamboo, and as I understand it there would be one species going into bloom at a certain time, or related clumps of that species, so not all bamboo in the world.
After the bamboo blooms, it dies. I have a Sacred Bali that appears to be blooming in Hilo right now, surprised the heck out of me, will be sad if it dies. However, its offspring that I propagated seems OK. I think the rat explosion would only happen in vast groves of bamboo, such as they have in Asia. There is a lot more on my property for rats to eat than any bamboo fruit.
After the bamboo blooms, it dies. I have a Sacred Bali that appears to be blooming in Hilo right now, surprised the heck out of me, will be sad if it dies. However, its offspring that I propagated seems OK. I think the rat explosion would only happen in vast groves of bamboo, such as they have in Asia. There is a lot more on my property for rats to eat than any bamboo fruit.