The rapid growth of bamboo trees

On May 16, 2008 I saw two young bamboo shoots about 3 feet high growing next to my house. I knew because of their thickness they would taller than me in just a matter of days. And so I thought it would be a fun project to set up a tripod and take a photo of them daily for a few days.

In the photos are 2 bamboo shoots and 3 sawed off bamboo stumps. Also notice the many other fully grown bamboo trees in the background. In the first photo taken on May 16, the bamboo shoot in the center is about 2.5 feet high and appears to be growing at an angle in relation to the bamboo stump directly behind it. On May 21, the bamboo in the center is now 256 centimeters or about 8.5 feet tall. It more than tripled its height in 5 days!

May 16, 1:45PM

May 17, 10:30AM

May 18, 5:50PM

May 19, 8:50AM

May 20, 8:30AM The center bamboo has now uprighted itself and is covering the stump behind it.

May 22, 1:10PM The center bamboo is now 3 meters or 9 feet 10 inches in height. I am 183 cm or about 6'1". Its height has nearly quadrupled in only 6 days!

May 28, 8:00AM

June 2, 9:00AM. The bamboo is now approximately 7.8 meters or 25.7 feet in height and 4 times my own height. In 17 days its height has increased 10 fold! Notice that there are still yet no branches or leaves and that the bottom half has lost its thin brown skin.

This bamboo shoot is not yet higher than my knee. Its at the best time to harvest for food.