This is kind of a weird, random question. I was hanging out in my bedroom and I heard this incredibly loud cracking sound, that seemed to come out of nowhere, but was definitely coming from inside the room. It was so loud that my dog jumped up and slunk out of the room. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what the hell made the noise, and I looked all over the place trying to figure out what it was, and I notice that this bamboo pole I have just leaning against the wall, had cracked and split it's entire length, for no apparent external reason. I cannot stress how freakin' loud this sound was. I'm guessing that it just split because of the dry winter air, but does this sound right? The bamboo appeared to be quite dry when I first purchased it. It's not under any load or stress, it was just leaning against the wall. Would dry air be enough to split this 2-3 inch diameter bamboo pole end to end?
Absolutely. If your bamboo is unsealed, you should give it a little rub with some oil on a cloth from time to time.
well, wood does shrink when it loses moisture, so that could cause quite a violent split, i'd say dryness was gonna be the most likely cause...
Not to go all nerd on you, but Bamboo doesn't have wood since it is a grass. To answer the question, it is fairly common for bamboo to split like it if it is in direct sun or really dry http://www.bamboo4sale.com/bamboo4sale/Bamboo_bamboocare.php
I agree with Manservant...your bamboo pole should be frequently rubbed with oil to prevent drying out
under specific conditions of temperature and humidity, damd near everything does. also often with a loud, explosive like sound, due to the sudden release of the previously building tensions involved. in much the same way that earthqakes happen. (the sudden release of slow building tension that is.)
