Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Sixpence on April 09, 2004, 07:24:13 PM

Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Sixpence on April 09, 2004, 07:24:13 PM
I was in a store the other day, and I noticed a bamboo cutting board. It had a tag on it telling the benefits of bamboo. They glue it in layers and it is stronger than oak(so they say). Some species of bamboo grow up to 2 feet a day. And I was wondering, in this day of genetic engineering, could we cross this species of bamboo with the oak tree? Imagine an oak tree full grown in less than a year. Just a thought.
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: ravells on April 09, 2004, 07:35:06 PM
Imagine if we'd crossed it with a yew tree 900 years ago.

Agincourt would have been even better ;)

(just kidding)

Ravs
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Sixpence on April 09, 2004, 07:44:21 PM
Here are some interesting hybrids, you have to scroll down to find plant hybrids.

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/hybrids1.htm
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: ravells on April 09, 2004, 08:27:24 PM
I try to eat organic food. It's much tastier.

Ravs
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: capt. apathy on April 10, 2004, 12:47:29 AM
generally the faster a tree grows the less density to the wood.  so even if you could get it to grow faster you'd likely end up with a softer, weaker wood.

there are a couple test lots around here where they are doing hybrid trees, mostly crossing cotton-woods or poplar with others to get a faster growing tree, but these are for the paper industry where the softer wood actually makes it cheaper and easier to process.
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Munkii on April 10, 2004, 12:50:03 AM
Everything that is made of wood should only be made of balsa wood as of right.......... now.
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Nash on April 10, 2004, 12:54:28 AM
I thought, great... You'll end up with oak trees that grow really quickly to be, 6 foot tall.

Checked.

Turns out bamboo trees can grow pretty tall... 30'-40'.

So yeah, wtf... Let 'em get it on. I'm tired of waiting.
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: AKIron on April 10, 2004, 01:16:10 AM
As I hope to get older I'm wondering if bamboo might not be spliced with something more....organic? ;)
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: capt. apathy on April 10, 2004, 01:36:57 AM
hell, you might just end up with a grass(bamboo is a grass, not a tree) that grows as slow as an oak.

hey that wouldn't bee too bad, install it as sod so you wouldn't have to wait for cover. It'd grow so slow that you'd only have to mow it every 2 or 3 years. :aok
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: storch on April 10, 2004, 06:35:59 AM
In Hongkong, years ago construction companies used to manufacture their scaffolding from lashed together bamboo.  It looked quite rickety but IMO it may have actually performed better than steel.  Bamboo is a very hard, tough wood and is difficult to cross cut, yet splits easily along the grain.  Where ever did you see this cutting board, I want one.
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Sixpence on April 10, 2004, 06:45:16 AM
Quote
Originally posted by storch
Where ever did you see this cutting board, I want one.


I was at kitchens etc when I saw it, found it at their site.

http://www.kitchenetc.com/Products.cfm?sku=000999243

BTW, it is harder than maple, I believe I said oak.
Title: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Sixpence on April 10, 2004, 10:33:32 AM
BTW, I could have sworn the same one I saw was under 20 bucks, that price online seems way off.
Title: Re: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: mietla on April 10, 2004, 11:04:40 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Sixpence
in this day of genetic engineering, could we cross this species of bamboo with the oak tree?


I'd cross it with a pig, so I could have a fresh bacon every morning.
Title: Re: Re: Genetic Manipulation
Post by: Sixpence on April 10, 2004, 11:24:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by mietla
I'd cross it with a pig, so I could have a fresh bacon every morning.


I think they have already crossed a pig with an elephant, you see the size of pigs lately? I cut the last pork loin I bought into 4 good sized roasts, yum.