The Bamboo Method Octile: A Balanced Review

The Bamboo Method Octile promises a natural and organic way to increase your height by up to 7cm in just 12 months. Based on the growth patterns of bamboo, this ebook claims to unlock your body's potential through nutrition, exercise, posture, and specific routines. But before you jump on the bandwagon, let's take a balanced look at what it offers.

The Bamboo Method Octile PROS & CONS

Pros:

Focuses on natural methods: If you're averse to risky growth hormones or surgeries, the Bamboo Method's emphasis on diet, exercise, and posture might be appealing.

Tailored approach: The program claims to personalize routines based on individual needs, potentially offering a more suitable approach than generic fitness plans.

Accessibility: As an ebook, the Bamboo Method Octile is readily available and potentially affordable compared to in-person programs.

Safety claims: The program emphasizes its safety compared to medical interventions, although consulting a doctor before starting any new program is always recommended.

Cons:

Lack of scientific evidence: While the marketing material mentions "scientific research," no specific studies are cited to support the claims of significant height increase.

Exaggerated promises: Achieving 7cm of growth in just a year, especially after puberty, seems highly improbable based on established knowledge of human growth.

Limited information: The review provided doesn't detail the specific exercises, dietary plans, or routines offered, making it difficult to assess their effectiveness or potential risks.

Cost and accessibility: Although potentially cheaper than some personal training programs, the cost of the ebook should be weighed against the lack of concrete evidence and potential disappointment.

Conclusion

The Bamboo Method Octile presents an intriguing approach to height increase, but its claims lack strong scientific backing, and the limited information available makes it difficult to assess its true potential. While focusing on natural methods is commendable, the exaggerated promises and potential costs raise concerns. 

If you're genuinely interested in increasing your height naturally, consider exploring research-backed methods like proper posture, regular exercise, and a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Additionally, consulting a doctor or registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance and ensure your approach is safe and effective.

A Balanced View

For further information on natural height increase methods, you can explore resources like:

Bamboo growth method: (Click Here)

Bamboo growth booster: (Click Here)

Disclaimer:

This review of "The Bamboo Method Octile" isn't saying it works wonders. While it touts natural ways to grow taller, there's no guarantee you'll shoot up like a bamboo shoot.

Remember, responsible and evidence-based approaches are crucial when attempting to influence your body's development. 

Basically, be careful, do your research, and don't expect miracles.

Can You Eat Bamboo Shoots?

Not all bamboo shoots are edible. Of the 1700 different kinds of bamboo plants, less than 200 are considered edible. 

Yet only a handful are delicious, they can be eaten raw or cooked.

Most of the are bitter and require thorough preparations before cooking and eating.

Dendrocalamus giganteus Giant Bamboo Shoot

10 edible bamboo shoots

These 10 edible bamboo plants grow in the UK, either in gardens or in botanical gardens as exotic tropical plants. You can actually grow them.

Most are featured here at Garden Bamboo Plants, follow the links for more details.

Delicious 

• Phyllostachys flexuosa Sinuate Bamboo [5/5]
• Phyllostachys vivax Chinese Timber Bamboo [5/5]
• Chimonobambusa tumidissinoda Walking Stick Bamboo [5/5]
• Phyllostachys nuda Nude Sheath Bamboo [5/5]

Phyllostachys vivax Chinese Timber Bamboo Shoot

Good

• Bamboo Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis [4/5]
• Dendrocalamus giganteus Giant Bamboo [4/5]
• Phyllostachys edulis Moso Bamboo [4/5]

Edible

• Phyllostachys atrovaginata Incense Bamboo [3/5]
• Fargesia robusta Umbrella Bamboo [3/5]
• Bambusa vulgaris Common Bamboo [3/5]

For more on edible ratings, check out this website https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/edible-bamboo-species.

Bambusa vulgaris Common Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo plants for sale, UK

Here is where to buy the clump-forming bamboo plants online.  

We listed some top UK Home and Garden bamboo suppliers like Crocus and YouGarden.

Also, check out Amazon bamboo suppliers.

When to harvest bamboo shoots?

New shoots can be harvested for culinary uses. 

There is approximately a three-year lead time before the edible bamboo plants reach harvestable growths.

Thereafter the plants will continue to produce new shoots every spring and throughout summer.

This will continue for the 60-80 years lifespan of the bamboo plant. 

Bamboo shoot nutrition facts

Bamboo shoots are high in fibres. They also contain calories, carbohydrates and a minute amount of potassium and manganese.

The edible bamboo shoots are great fibre supplements.

Image credit: @kindabluntish/Twitter

Dried bamboo shoots

Dried bamboo shoots are a traditional ingredient in many Asian cuisines.

They have unique flavours, high in fibre and nutrients. 

Some dishes are cooked with duck, pork and also fish or beef are tasty and delicious.

Red bamboo Plants UK

Red bamboo plants are native to China and eastern Asia. These bamboo plants are hard to find. 

However, some cultivars of the red bamboos are now growing in the UK. 

You can get them online or at a garden nursery near you. These bamboos are best for small gardens or pots when planted as individual plants. 

Most cultivars are non-invasive clumping bamboos, we’ve also seen several variations of the running red bamboos.

The variations of burgundy red in new shoots and culms, including changes of colourations make these bamboos a standout.

What are red bamboo plants?

Apart from the common bamboos with green and black culms, you can also find yellow and red stem bamboos. 

They come in different sizes, shapes heights, and colours. The red bamboo plants generally have red colouration in their shoots or stems. 

Though they may not be red, the name red bamboo is used to identify them as belonging to a group of bamboos with some redness in them. 

There are a few bamboos that really appear to be red. Their shoots and young culms show the distinct crimson or burgundy red. 

The colourations will eventually fade as the stems (culms) age. The changes are what make these bamboos special! 

At GardenBambooPlants.com, you’ll find over 10 red bamboos with the features mentioned above. Here are the 5 best red bamboos with prominent red colourations.

5 bamboo plants with red stems and shoots

This is a fine collection of 5 red bamboo plants, not only popular in the UK but is also preferred among many homeowners and gardeners. Click on the links to find out about growth requirements and details of the shoots and culms colourations.

• 1. Fargesia Scabrida (Asian Wonder)

Fargesia Scabrida (Asian Wonder) - Clumping Bamboo

 

• 2. Phyllostachys rubromarginata

Phyllostachys parvifolia running bamboo

 

• 3. Fargesia Murielae Red Zebra

Fargesia Murielae Red Zebra Bamboo clumping bamboo

 

• 4. Fargesia nitida Volcano (Red Chinese Fountain Bamboo)

Fargesia nitida volcano the Red Chinese Fountain Bamboo (Clumping Bamboo)

 

• 5. Fargesia nitida Jiuzhaigou

Fargesia nitida also called Red Panda (Clumping Bamboo) 

 

 These links provide an in-depth collection of the features, growth requirements and care tips for each of the bamboos mentioned. 

The featured articles here will give you a better understanding of the height, spread and other specific details for growing the bamboos.

Check out the 5 best red bamboos plants and other common running and clumping bamboos that grow well in the UK.

The red bamboo plants are a stunning addition to the garden. 

They are also ideal pot plants.

Why do pandas eat a lot of bamboos?

The giant pandas eat bamboo shoots, leaves and culms for up to 15 hours daily. Their eating behaviour makes people wonder. 

The giant pandas’ diet is predominately made up of bamboo plants (99%) - other plants and small animals make up less than 1%. 

These iconic animals' main food is bamboo, but why bamboo? So, why a bear built like a carnivore forage almost entirely on bamboo? And, why bamboo when it’s very low in nutrients and calories? Let's put data to these questions.

 

Why do giant pandas eat lots of bamboos?

A study reveals that fresh bamboo shoots are high in amino acids and vitamins with some traces of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. 

Though bamboo shoots are nutritious, they are low in calories, which is vital for providing the pandas with energy. 

In fact, when we compared bamboo shoots to starchy and protein-rich foods, we realised that the bamboo shoots are ten times low in carbohydrates, fats and protein. 

This holds the key to why the giant pandas munch through 10 – 25 kilograms of bamboo daily.

Where do pandas get their energy and protein from?

To understand the energy and protein requirements, we’ll compare the carbohydrates, fats and protein in fresh bamboo shoots to raw potatoes and tuna fish per 100 grams per serving. 

Comparison of the nutrient composition of young Bambusa tulda shoots, common English potatoes (high carbo food) and Tuna (high protein food) reveals that for every 100 g per serving, there are:

• 3 times fewer carbohydrates in raw bamboo shoots compared to fresh potatoes.
• 10 times fewer fats in raw bamboo shoots compared to fresh potatoes.
• 6 times fewer proteins in raw bamboo shoots compared to raw tuna fish

On average, there are ten times fewer calories in bamboo shoots in every 100 grams. 

Perhaps this is a broad way to look at it, but it adds to the understanding that pandas must eat a lot of bamboo shoots to get enough nutrients out of them.

Giant Pandas Eat Bamboo like bamboos

As mentioned, the giant pandas' main source of calories (food energy) is the carbohydrates, fats and protein in bamboo they eat. 

Carbohydrates are soluble in water which means the body uses them quickly. On the other hand, fats are insoluble in water and serve as an important energy store. 

The body taps into this energy source when it needs it. Naturally, the cells in the body need a consistent supply of energy and food to do their work. 

They cannot work properly where there is a lack of carbohydrates, fat and protein uptake. The poor pandas, who depend almost entirely on bamboo, must eat lots to meet their energy requirement. 

In fact, on average, they eat 15 – 20 kilograms of bamboo daily. 

This is a lot of bamboos, but it is required if you think in terms of the nutrient intake per 100 grams. 

Pandas eat bamboo shoots for calories, vitamins and nutrients.

How many pandas are left in the wild?

A group of pandas is called an 'embarrassment'. Well, they are solitary animals in the wild and seldomly live in large groups. 

Occasionally, you'll see them handing out together where there is food. 

Check out bamboo facts here. 

Their disappearance is exacerbated by urbanisation and agricultural land uses. 

According to the WWF, there are less than 2000 pandas that remain in the wild today.

‘The giant panda habitat was once spread throughout China, northern Vietnam and northern Myanmar. But now the giant panda is found in the wild in just six isolated mountain ranges in Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces in south-central China.' WWF

You can help to protect these iconic species by donating to WWF.

This work is based on our research to answer the questions: why do pandas eat bamboo, and why do pandas eat massive amounts of bamboo? 

It uses data from reliable sources to give insights into the nutrients and calories in bamboo and puts answers to the questions.

Pandas take lots of calories from bamboos

Bamboo shoots, leaves and stems are low in nutrients, calories and vitamins. 

That is why, even though, pandas eat a lot of bamboos, they need more to meet their daily requirements.

Red Panda eating bamboo | Image Credit: Cincinnati Zoo

Benefits of bamboo shoots to pandas

Fresh bamboo shoots are low in calories (carbohydrates, saturated fats and protein) compared to potatoes and tuna fish. 

The pandas eat 20 kg of bamboo shoots (including culms and leaves) daily to accumulate enough energy. 

In other words, 20 kg of Bambusa tulda shoots per day will provide the giant pandas with:

• 1384 g carbohydrates
• 96 g fat, and
• 738 g protein.

Are these a lot of calories to take in a day? According to NHS, the maximum calories a person should eat per day on average are

• 260 g carbohydrates,
• 70 g fats and
• 50 g protein.

Notably, an adult panda stands at 1.9 m and can weigh 150 kg to 180 kg. 

They are 3 – 5 times the size of an adult. 

So, if we take all the other factors into consideration, we can reliably say that giant pandas need to eat a lot of bamboos to stay healthy.

Is bamboo, really, good for pandas?

Some articles hinted that bamboos are low in nutrients. 

This is partly true because the culms, leaves and branches are fibrous. However, new bamboo shoots contain relatively high protein, amino acids and vitamins. 

Compared to potatoes and tuna fish, the new shoots are reasonably low in carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which are important sources of energy for the cells in the body. 

A calorie deficit will affect the pandas if they eat less bamboo. Above all, bamboo shoots are high in nutrients but low in calories. 

Pandas have to eat a lot to stay healthy.

How far do bamboo plants spread?

How far do bamboo plants spread? There are different types of bamboo plants, some are running bamboo plants and others are clumping bamboo plants. 

The running bamboo plants do spread, so 'always' build a bamboo barrier when growing the running varieties.

How long do bamboo plants spread?

Always use the bamboo roots/rhizome barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. They are invasive. 

The rhizomes will spread to other parts of the garden if you do not have a barrier in place. We recommend putting in a root barrier before growing the running bamboo. 

Alternatively, grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots. The bamboo plants will start to spread in the first year of planting. In fact, the rhizomes are underground stems. 

The new (running) shoots growing above the ground indicate that new rhizomes are also growing underground. 

The growth is prominent after 5 years. That means that bamboo can stay inactive underground until the condition is right for them to put out new shoots.

So, the running bamboo plants will spread after you’ve planted them or remain inactive until the condition is right. 

Either way, always use a bamboo barrier when growing the running bamboo.

Building a bamboo root barrier

Check out the video and see how we build the running bamboo root barrier.

How far do bamboo plants spread? There are different types of bamboo plants, some are running bamboo plants and others are clumping bamboo plants. Always build a root barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. 

How bamboo plants grow

Bamboo plants will give out new shoots every year in spring. These new shoots will be bigger in size and longer than the previous year’s shoots.

The size of new bamboo shoots remains the same as it matures into a culm.

 

How do bamboo plants grow?

The growth behaviour of running and clumping bamboo plants, generally, determines how long they live. 

Whether in the garden or in pots they will grow in the same way, nonetheless. 

Bamboo plants will give out new shoots every year in spring. These new shoots grow longer than the previous year’s shoots.

Note that the bamboo shoots will get bigger as they grow year after year, but a new shoot will remain the same size as it matures into a full-grown bamboo. Read about How long bamboo plants last.

You’ll have a bigger and longer bamboo plant, and the bamboo grove will also increase in size. In retrospect, the bamboo shoots do not expand in size as the trees and shrubs do. 

The size of the new shoot remains the same until it thins out at the top at maximum height. 

A bamboo plant will reach its matured height anytime between 5 and 10 years depending on the variety. 

The common bamboos in the UK often reach their maximum heights (and produce full-size shoots) within 5 years. 

The bamboo grove can live 30 - 50 years. They have a regenerative growth pattern where new shoots will grow again and again.

So, every year you’ll have a longer plant and bigger shoots as your bamboo grove takes shape.

Bamboo plants vs bamboo grove

How long bamboo plants last depend on the growth of the individual plants and the regenerative behaviour of the plants in the grove. 

Some bamboo plants will live in the soil until the condition is right before they put out new shoots. Others will spread pretty quickly. 

Generally, the common bamboo plants that grow in the UK, US and other cooler regions will last for 30 – 50 years. And, they will continue to grow as long as the condition is right.

How to Get Lots of Bamboo Shoots

New bamboo shoots and rhizomes tips sometimes show signs of distress by turning brown. 

This is a course for concern because the shoots are unlikely to recover. So, what are the main causes of bamboo shoots turning brown?

Maintain soil moisture 

New bamboo shoots and rhizome tips will struggle to grow, turn brown and die where it's too dry.

The browning of bamboo shoots indicates a lack of nutrients and water.

Maintain soil moisture and add fertiliser to promote the growth of the new bamboo shoots and rhizome tips. 

Reduce competition

The new plants in confined spaces like the pots are competing with the old plants for what nutrient is available.

In such competition, the older plants always have the advantage over the new plants because they have well-established clumps or root systems. 

They absorb the nutrients resulting in the browning of the new shoots or rhizome tips.

The best thing to do is to remove the old bamboo stems in early Spring or late Summer to promote new growth. 

The new shoots will be ready in time for the next growing year. (Read about how to cut rhizomes and culms).

Dry summer affected bamboo

The record temperature in the summer of 2022 affected the new bamboo shoots. 

In fact, the matured bamboo plants did okay, but the new shoots that came out that spring turned brown and never recover. 

There was a horse-pipe ban, there was nothing we could do to protect the new shoots.

Interestingly, I added mulch in spring that year and it does wonders to the bamboo. 

Immediately after the dry spell, it rained for 3 days and this video shows what happened towards the end of summer. 

Watch this!

 Check out the list of top UK Home & Garden suppliers for all you gardening needs.