Mary from Houston, TX
Yes. Whether you sell your bamboo as plants or dried stalks, there is definitely a market for it. If you don't already know what type of bamboo you have, the first thing I would suggest you do is find someone can help you identify it. A great place to start is with the Texas Bamboo Society. Their web site features good information on different bamboo species, their uses, propagation techniques, etc.
The society also has a moderately active forum where members discuss everything from care for bamboo to containing it.
Bamboo is an incredibly versatile product, so when searching for a market to see it, consider all of its possible uses.
I would suggest contacting local nurseries, co-ops, feed stores, and farmers markets as potential avenues for selling it. There are also websites like Agriseek, which provide an online marketplace for people to sell various agricultural products, including bamboo. It might be a good place to get information on what types of bamboo people are selling and how much they are charging for it.
Good luck!
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Try posting it for free on Freecycle. (03/17/2008)
If it's big why not take some to your local flee market to sell. It would make good fishing poles. (03/17/2008)
By Julie
Yes, you can sell it. Locate a bamboo grower in your area and they will come and remove it and pay you, depending on what type it is and how rare it is. I have a neighbor that sold all of hers and was quite happy that she didn't have to do the hard work of digging it up. And some kinds of bamboo are worth a great deal of money, so you might also be pleased with the results. You might also post it on Craigslist to see if anyone is willing to come dig it up and pay you for it. Good luck. (03/17/2008)
By Heidi
Yes, I'd buy it. Sell it at Saturday Farmer's Markets. You'll have to buy a bunch of pots wholesale to plant them in. You can also train it into spirals when it's young like they do "lucky bamboo". Some kinds of bamboo can grow in "only" water (lucky bamboo) maybe your bamboo is one of them. Some need dirt and pots. You'll probably have to purchase a case or so of small pots wholesale and have someone deliver a pile of potting soil to your driveway (eventually). But in the mean time, start out small with several bags of potting soil and see how well they little devils sell.
An important tip is to print out fliers that educate your public about how bamboo can take over. These guys sell garden bed liners so the bamboo won't take over your neighbors yard. Their called "Rhizome Barriers". Read what they say about them:www.bamboogardener.com
On the flier, tell your customer where to buy these "Rhizome Barriers". Also, include care of bamboo and of course, your name, number, e-mail and how to contact you to buy more bamboo in the future. Print out a nice sign to hang at your booth (you'll need to buy an "EZ-UP" tent to sell at Saturday Markets and to get in, you'll need to be "jurried in". This is the time to check that out, as they are screening for new members at farmers markets "right now", in March or April. Just Google "Farmers Markets in your state or city". I'm an artist and I make my living selling at Farmers Markets. (small as it in). These days, people are buying less and less, but they "always" want things for their gardens and plants. Garden art, plants and, garden furniture are the "biggest selling items at our market".
To sell "Lucky Bamboo": When the bamboo is very young, start "training" it around different shapes so you get bamboo spirals etc, etc. You can also weave bamboo while it's young and pliable into very cool designs and as it grows it retains these wonderful shapes. You may be able to just sell this "Lucky Bamboo" in water, but people like fancy pots and good looking things they can give as gifts. Bamboo in really nice pots would be your "High End" price range.
You need to have all price ranges. Your bamboo sold without pots (only in a bag with water) could be your "Low End" price range. The low end will probably be your "bread and butter". Meaning, you'll sell a lot of the less expensive plants. You'll also need boxes and plastic bags with water in them for people to take their bamboo home in. And don't forget a receipt book, calculator, and change.
Don't forget your state and city tax numbers and Business license requirements. Each town has different rules. Call the market you want to sell at and they'll give you the low-down on what licenses you'll need. You may be able to also sell to stores, but you'll first have to certify that your plants are "disease free".
Your absolute most important requirement: Great customer service. If anyone ever complains to me about anything at all (even if it's their fault) I always give them a brand new item of their choice. I never argue with a customer. Treat them like kings and queens and they'll always come back. Great Customer service is "top priority". See your service through your customers eyes. How many times have you said: "I'll never go back there again." or, "Wow! great service, they really treated me right." It makes a huge difference. Customer Service is the difference between a "so-so" business and a great, topnotch business.
Finally, dress in conservative dark clothes. That way it's your product they are looking at, not you. Same thing with your display. Keep it simple. Solid black, easily laundered table cloths work best. You'll also need light weight tables that fold to fit into your vehicle and a folding chair. The better your display looks, the more you'll sell. Display accounts for 50% of sales. If you have a helper with you, don't spend your time talking with them, the customer won't want to interrupt you to ask questions about your product. It's best to sell alone and just have someone there to help you set up and break down. (03/17/2008)
By Cyinda
Contact your local zoo. If they have panda bears, they eat bamboo. (03/19/2008)
By TJ
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Bamboo could be a thriving business as more bamboo flooring manufacturers open here, but sadly they bring in raw materials ( bamboo) from China and our government has cancelled all tariffs on imported bamboo. Sadly, it could be grown and sold here.
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