Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions Section!

This section has been created to explain our program better and help you decide if this is the opportunity you are looking for, in order to become wealthier and financially successful.

The market price for raw bamboo products will fluctuate per market conditions just as the prices for most crops do from year to year. OnlyMoso wants to give our partners security in knowing the minimum they will be able to secure for both the bamboo shoots (Currently with a floor of $1 per pound) and the culm or trunks (currently at $160 per ton.)  OnlyMoso will continue giving our farmer partner the floor minimum or Wholesale Broker Market price minus 30% whichever is greater.

When the first harvest is ready we will discuss what price adjustments should will be given for all harvestable products. OnlyMoso is committed to insuring a long and successful relationship with all their partners and knows that providing a fair and reasonable market price is a key to achieving that success.

An acre of Asper Bamboo forest matures after 3 to 4 years from planting before trunks are ready. However, new shoots begin around year 2 and are continually produced for as long as 60-80 years.

Factors that will contribute to how quickly and how profitable a harvest will be include how much water the crop has been given and was the proper amount of fertilizer given. OnlyMoso wants your harvest to be as productive and profitable as possible so we have created a growing guide to help direct all our partners on the best practices to establish the best yield possible.  We will continually advise you on how to get the highest yield out of your plantation from the time you plant to the time you harvest….we are with you every step of the way.

**Please see the most up to date yield chart for specific information on harvest yields and timelines.**

An acre of Moso Bamboo forest matures after 4 to 5 years from planting before trunks are ready. However, new shoots begin around year 3 and are continually produced for as long as 80-100 years.

Factors that will contribute to how quickly and how profitable a harvest will be include how much water the crop has been given and was the proper amount of fertilizer given. OnlyMoso wants your harvest to be as productive and profitable as possible so we have created a growing guide to help direct all our partners on the best practices to establish the best yield possible.  We will continually advise you on how to get the highest yield out of your plantation from the time you plant to the time you harvest….we are with you every step of the way.

During the first couple of years, when the plant is still vulnerable, drought must be avoided and irrigation is needed. Typical irrigation in the first three years is 30” of rain: the typical rain fall in most of the USDA Regions 7 and up.

No, there are no bacteria capable of aggression against the species and variety of Asper or Moso Bamboo. It is possible that Mites could colonize leaves; but with no harm to the forest. Bamboo is equipped with natural antibacterial and antifungal agents repelling parasites and bacteria.

This is the exact reason why bamboo is the most appreciated material for the production of fabrics replacing cotton. Bamboo fibers offer an excellent transpiration and insulation when infused into apparel. It is hypoallergenic and UV resistant. Its antifungal features are ideal in the production of sports apparel, gloves, and socks against odors and sweat.

OnlyMoso Giant Bamboo cannot bear long periods under water (flooding); it does not tolerate being submerged for long periods of time. If flooding lasts less than 7 – 10 days, usually the plants will survive. Our experience has shown that plants can survive from 10- 12 days (sometimes as long as 21 days); however, in the case of extreme flooding that persists longer than 12-15 days, these plants may suffer because of these extreme conditions (mainly for lack of oxygen). Obviously, younger plants will have shorter periods for which to resist rather than mature plants; for this reason, these flooding events may cause major damage during first 6-9 months after babyplants are planted.
Yes and No.
Yes, the newly installed plants are susceptible to being eaten by wild animals; but of as much concern are wild animals (or even domesticated animals) eating the mulch (straw). Usually an electric powered wiring around the perimeter may be enough, but we recommend an ecofriendly solution by incorporating a Cayan Pepper paste to discourage such activity.

OnlyMoso USA has identified, enlisted, and contracted with American Bamboo Nurseries located in the continental Unites States for the supply chain of OnlyMoso Bamboo. All OnlyMoso Bamboo Plants we use to supply Farmers in America are made in United States nurseries using OnlyMoso patented techniques from international cultivation methods and standards selection.

As of 2015, OnlyMoso USA has contracted relationships with six nurseries located throughout the Southeastern US. OnlyMoso USA Corp does not import any bamboo plants from countries outside the United States. The original genetic material (seeds or scions) we have selected to produce the first OnlyMoso plants came from American scientists, and American bamboo collections. After an intense selection and cultivation process, OnlyMoso has found a variety of American Moso Bamboo that matches our extremely high standards for Bamboo in our Operations in Europe and China. From this American breed, we have produced tens/hundreds of thousands of “Mother plants”: and from this stock, we have patented this stock for exclusive use for members of the OnlyMoso Bamboo Union. From this Stock, every 2/3 months we can produce tens/hundreds of thousands more OnlyMoso plants utilizing a pot division propagation technique.

Both Asper and Moso is unique in that in can be planted most of the year. Once the temperatures rise above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for a consistent daily time planting can begin and continue.  In ideal planting conditions, we would prefer to have plants in the ground 8 weeks before the first hard freeze.

Bamboo in general, and particularly Moso Bamboo, can live in 4.2 Ph. up to 8 Ph. The young plants are planted in 4.2 Ph. (a very acidic soil). Moso Bamboo prefers a Ph. of 6.5/7. Moso Bamboo (and specifically OnlyMoso Bamboo) will thrive and grow in soil with a Ph. ranging from 4.5 – 8. The closer the soil is to 6.5, the better; but we do not recommend any application or tactic to get the soil to neutral (7Ph).

OnlyMoso recommends a (D-400) density which means 400 plants per acre for Asper and 500 plants per acre for Moso.  Moso needs 9×9 foot spacing because this amount of space accelerates the time span needed before reaching a full production.  This density allows the plantation to get established in the most efficient way so a full, thriving harvest can be achieved in the shortest amount of time.

 

Normally the planting is done by farmers; however, we could deliver the service for an extra cost of $5 per plant as explained on Sale Form (the order-form).

The first step in preparing the soil is to perform a soil test. This will let us know if additional nutrients need to be added before planting to insure the best possible results.   Disking the soil will aid in keeping it soft to ease the expansion of the rhizomes and shorten the needed time before maturity is reached. We suggest that the plantation is disked using a 10” to 16” disc two or three times to prepare the soil properly. At this time, additional nutrients can be added in the form or granular fertilizer to make up for any natural deficiencies.

Soon after planting, a good mulching is required; preferably with straw and leaves. This will keep the terrain soft and humid -protecting the root system and rhizomes from temperature swings, increasing the plant development dramatically. The plants will need to be watered correctly with 1.5 gallons of water a day as well as fertilization of the entire plantation every 6 months according to the OnlyMoso technical handbook.

We always want the plants to have the best possibility of success and to have the highest possible yield. That is why for the first 2 to 3 years we will always recommend insuring the plants receive at least 1.5 gallons of water at the base of the plants and the they receive 18-6-8 fertilizer every six months.

When looking at environmental conditions for OnlyMoso bamboo we know that plantations can be placed along most of the coast of the United States from Delaware to Oregon as well as the Southeast, Southcentral and Southwest sections of the US.

The Phyllostachys Pubescence (Moso) is a type of bamboo resisting to temperatures as low as -4 F° and will do very well in these areas as long as the each plant is given 1.5 gallons of water a day and receives fertilizer every 6 months.

All kinds of terrains are fine – however the terrains with higher acidity or neutral Ph. (from 4.5 to 8 ph.) are preferred.

As our experience, President, and Horticulturalists suggest, each harvest is different. We will work with farmers to choose how, when and how many shoots or trunks need to be cut based on their strategy for what they want to deliver to the Market. There are many different factors and variables to be considered. How much, when, and what to harvest, shoot or trunk, depends on the end user in mind. Does the farmer want to sell:

  • Beverages
  • Fabric
  • Textiles
  • Construction Materials
  • Furniture materials
  • Paper Production

Each “end user” application in the Market determines how much, when, and what type to harvest. For example, the Farmer may choose to allot a percentage of the acre to the production of very hard and durable construction material. If we let the culm grow for 2-3 years, the diameter will be larger and the culm will be harder. This will command a higher price on the market; however, the time to produce is longer. If the Farmer sets aside 10% to 30% of this type (2-3-year-old culms) we can then trade broker the harvest on the Market as Quality Wood, Cellulose or durable construction material. Culms will grow to a standard height of 55’ – 80’ after about 60-70 days (This will be typical after the Bamboo bush reaches maturity in the 5th-6th-7th year). Culms will not grow more nor die, but will enter Lignification stage (hardening) and become more and more solid; but the culm will not die. These culms will reach maximum hardness after 3 -5 years (again, once the bush is matured) depending on Climate and local environmental conditions.

If the Culms are not cut after the 3rd – 4th year, they will continue to harden and live for another 10-12 years. After that point, the culm will die (but not the bush). But in our Association of ONLYMOSO USA CORP Union of Farmers, will not let them grow for 10-12 years because our interest is to cut them earlier, keeping our bamboo forest always young and constantly growing more bamboo!

Bamboo Shoots, on the other hand, have a different procedure, schedule, and methodology to the harvesting. A Farmer may choose to harvest up to 90% of the shoots letting the rest become culms. We know from our Chinese horticultural experts that a well-managed plantation, following excellent procedures (that we share with our Member Farmers), a forest can release an incredible amount of Shoots in a given season.

Well Managed forests can deliver 2 pounds of Shoots per 10 square feet. The yield for the shoot will be approximately 8800 shoots per acre per year. In this example we would collect 8800 shoots and leave the rest (2,000) to grow into culms during the summer for the Autumn harvest. Shoots are harvested in March & April. Culms are harvested in September & October.

Labor time for an average harvest would be about 300 – 400 lbs. of shoots per hour and 15 – 20 canes / culms per hour. For this reason, one acre with 6,000 lbs. of shoots would require a man dedicate 15 – 20 labor hours. If the Farmer harvests 400 culms an acre, we would need 20 – 25 hours to harvest culms per acre. Culms may be cut when the height reaches 40’ – 45’ and over; however, Market demand and prices dictates on how old and for which reason / scope we’ll need these culms / poles.

There are many variables that only the market and Industries involved may answer; the only good answer is that ONLYMOSO USA CORP will have 3-5 Agronomists explaining very carefully how to harvest following experience, horticultural directives, and market demand as we respond from our Brokerage arm in Miami. OnlyMoso is building with our Affiliate Partner Farmers a Bamboo supply union in order to command the highest market prices for all members in the Union. OnlyMoso will set up strategies according to the different variables involved and deep studies on market demand from different Industries who will purchase our Culms and Shoots.

Yes, the OnlyMoso bamboo does grow also on slopes and can form an excellent barrier to hydrologic instability, reducing significantly all risks related to landslides. OnlyMoso also makes an excellent wind break for wind erosion.

The harvest pick-up is guaranteed by OnlyMoso USA as per the Buy Back Agreement; every farmer may choose the best way to harvest their plantation (using his own LABOR or WORK- FORCE); the farmer is responsible to loading the trucks that OnlyMoso provides. OnlyMoso will collect the Harvest on the same day of the harvest. We will collect the entire output using affiliated logistic partners.

It is up to the farmer to choose between delivering bamboo already harvested or let OnlyMoso organize the job. Prices will change accordingly.

One person can usually harvest a shoot every 30 seconds and harvest one trunk a minute. Harvesting times will vary with the layout and density of the plantation.

The task of OnlyMoso is to identify the most profitable sectors achieving the bests sales prices. Bamboo offers more than 1500 commercial applications in industries such as furniture, flooring, construction, textile, paper, biomass, cosmetics, food, and sport drinks – just to name a few. Since bamboo is an extremely hard wood, resistant and aesthetically nice, one of the most profitable applications is the production of furniture panels, floors, (boards, parquet), garden furniture and much more. Besides, thanks to the high content of cellulose it offers, it is mostly used to produce paperboard and paper, green fuels and biomass.

With regards to the shoots, the fresh market (direct delivery to food chains and stores) is one of the most profitable areas and we want to be the leading company supplying European and American demand (EUPORE, JAPAN ECT) for bamboo shoots (we are certain to become the first in 5-6 years). Moreover, once our position is consolidated, the offer of our raw materials derived from Bamboo, having no impact on the environment and offering endless advantages in terms of purchase price, durability, renewability and beauty, will create a true domino effect at all levels taking our company to further expand into first hand manufacturing processes.

The business model is not a new one and it’s been successfully used all over the world. The production of American OnlyMoso giant bamboo could quickly overcome Chinese competition and this trend is already in progress. Chinese exports of bamboo show signs of a slow-down and the Chinese government is taking great efforts to create a domestic market as an alternative keeping pace with the continued development of new forests.

This trend is due to a steady improvement of the US economy that -from year to year – makes it a bit harder for the Chinese to export to the US. This is exactly what we intend to do also in the bamboo industry: develop bamboo production locally in the US and keep import away from our borders! There is good land in the US, there is money, there is a good climate in large parts of the country, there is a huge market and hardworking farmers now massively in need of new opportunities – we are getting there.

ONLYMOSO USA will Guarantee to our affiliated producers for an unlimited amount of time to entirely buy-back the full production of culms, rhizomes, and shoots quoted at the best market price for every new harvest. We will assist our affiliates for the continuous breeding and care of their plantations. We will promote, foster, an enhance the use of American bamboo within the United States and abroad. We will enlarge our sales network of selected/certified plantations and we will lead educational research processes for the perusal of our affiliates highlighting all benefits related to bamboo and bamboo derived products.

It is our Mission to help our affiliates realize their growth and profitability through their certified OnlyMoso giant bamboo plantations using financially associated institutions and we will ensure correct follow-up and management for every single plantation taking care of every single detail from planting to harvest.

No investment pays back big in the short term. Nowadays, those playing with stock markets and commodities are lucky enough when they break even trying hard to keep their savings. We must consider the relevant numbers waiting for us, once the sprouts are ready for being collected and once the culms are ready for being harvested. As the break-even is reached, we are talking about consistent profits with minimal expenses.

The office of OnlyMoso USA Corp is in Sunrise Florida. All plants are in the nursery greenhouses at our nursery farms and not open to the public for sanitary reasons and of course for Research & Development reasons.

We cooperate/own 7 nurseries. We have over hundreds of thousands of plants in the Nurseries. Some are showroom nurseries and others are R&D Nurseries. Some nurseries are only for growing. When you are ready to close the contract and if Farmers have all other questions answered. But there only reservation is seeing the nursery then we will take then to see the plants. But if they are coming here to see the plants then we expect to have a signed contract by the end of that visit.

Once ready, should they find better marketing opportunities, Farmers are free to sell their production to any broker. We have invested in the farmer and we have helped the farmer to progress and obviously, should the farmer leave our union, as for any other single side decision when arranging for a common agreement, there is a penalty to be paid.
Obviously if the case should arise, we are talking about a one-time penalty when the farmer, with the first harvest, has covered already the entire amount by 2 to 4 times the initial investment. The penalty paid for exiting our union is 200% of the discount Farmers enjoyed when signing Order Form and Relative joint BUY-BACK agreement (discount ranges 10% – 20 % depending on different discounts).

An acre of Bamboo forest matures after 4 to 5 years from planting before trunks are ready. However, new shoots begin around year 3 and are continually produced for as long as 80-100 years.

Factors that will contribute to how quickly and how profitable a harvest will be include how much water the crop has been given and was the proper amount of fertilizer given. OnlyMoso wants your harvest to be as productive and profitable as possible so we have created a growing guide to help direct all our partners on the best practices to establish the best yield possible. We will continuously advise you on how to get the highest yield out of your plantation from the time you plant to the time you harvest….we are with you every step of the way.