“Pay attention to the weight of the pole – this is one of the key indicators of its quality. An orchard pole should weigh about 70-90 decagrams, depending on its diameter. This can be assessed by taking the support in hand. For us it is important to pass on knowledge, we have been promoting quality for years.”
From the article you will learn:
How did KOKOS’ bamboo pole import business get started?
Why did the company’s owners choose bamboo as a material for plant supports?
What unique characteristics does the Tonkin variety of bamboo have?
What to look for when choosing bamboo poles?
Why are pole weight and wall thickness crucial?
How can you recognize good quality bamboo at a glance?
What is the importance of how bamboo is dried and packaged?
Why should you avoid underpriced poles?
What affects the longevity of the poles?
How did your adventure in importing bamboo poles begin?
Richard Zuckerman: In the early 1990s. We saw a growing demand for modern and durable plant supports. It is interesting to note that we first sold coconut supports, which gave our company its name – we still have them in our offer today, they are still very popular.
At that time, many fruit growers and nurserymen used metal, hazel, willow to support trees and plants. Willow, even cut down, let go of young shoots – these solutions did not work. A new product was needed.
Zbigniew Frymus: Metal and plastic supports are very durable, but over time it turns out that they have quite a few drawbacks. Metal poles, although they should theoretically last longer, are often made of poor materials and not very thoroughly galvanized, so they quickly rust when exposed to chemicals used in apple orchards, for example. Plastic poles, on the other hand, although they do not rust, have become very expensive due to the rising cost of raw materials.
As a result, many fruit growers in recent years have opted to use bamboo, which has proven to be a more economical and durable option, especially given the relatively low cost of shipping from China.
Richard Zuckerman: In its favor is also ecology. It is biodegradable and grows very quickly. At first, customers were sometimes distant. How will bamboo perform in our climate? It turns out better than most of the raw materials used so far. A metal pole at frost can frostbite the plant, a plastic one breaks, and bamboo is neutral.
Bamboo is a very diverse plant, there are up to 1600 varieties of bamboo. Did you mention that you only use one particular one?
Richard Zuckerman: The Tonkin variety of bamboo, or Pseudosassa amabilis, works best in orcharding. This bamboo has several unique characteristics: it contains little sugar, which makes it unattractive to bugs, and in addition, it is extremely strong and heavy, which makes poles made from it stand out for their durability. It is also important that the bamboo is cut no earlier than after three, and preferably after four years of growth in the bamboo grove. The most valuable bamboo is that cut just off the ground.
How can a customer know a good bamboo pole at first glance?
Zbigniew Frymus: The density of elbows, or the distance between them, is an important indicator of the quality of bamboo. It can show where the bamboo was cut. The closer to the ground, the denser the spikes are, which indicates the maturity of the pole. In the case of the Tonkin variety, spikes appear every 30 centimeters on average. But it is the thickness of the wall that is key! A pole with a thin wall, resembling a tube, will not be strong enough for use in orcharding.
What else is important when choosing bamboo poles?
Zbigniew Frymus: It depends on what our purpose is. Whether we buy a pole for a nursery, where we often need a seasonal support, or for an orchard – that’s where the pole works hardest. The most important thing is that it should be mature and heavy enough. Orchard poles should weigh about 70-90 decagrams, depending on the diameter. Lightweight poles are usually of poor quality and will not last more than a few seasons. To recognize the quality, you can also try to break the pole – if it breaks very brittle, it means that it is not suitable material for orcharding.
Richard Zuckerman: A good quality pole weighs its own weight and should last for a dozen years, which in our company we clearly communicate to customers. Already by taking the support in hand you can judge it. Over the years we have been promoting the quality of orchard poles at trade fairs, but unfortunately, there are still many fruit growers who are not aware of what to look for when choosing them. For us, it’s important to pass on knowledge. We promote quality and long-term benefits.

Weight, wall thickness, density of elbows – what else do you pay attention to as importers of bamboo poles?
Zbigniew Frymus: First of all, it is important to avoid poles that have been badly dried or cut down in the rain. Nowadays, most bamboo is dried in dryers. However, the ground is a trusted supplier. We rely on long-term, long-term partnerships, so we have processes in place to control the goods, quality or complaints.
Does bamboo naturally grow straight or are there processes in the production of the poles that give it shape?
Zbigniew Frymus: Tonkin grows quite straight, but not from a ruler, it is a natural material. Sometimes we use poles with a natural, slightly crooked form. Most of the poles we buy are straightened. Straightening bamboo poles is manual work. The process is still done in Asia in special chamotte kilns, where the poles are placed on hot sand and subjected to fire. Sometimes it happens that the poles arrive slightly burnt – probably a worker smoked a cigarette too long and forgot to remove them – but this does not affect their quality.
Does the way bamboo poles are packaged matter?
Richard Zuckerman: Of course. Nowadays, we import poles without bags, which allows us to immediately assess their quality during unloading. In the past, poles were packed in bags: this made it much more difficult to assess quality at a glance. In addition, we arrange the poles so that the tops point in one direction and the bases in the other – so we can quickly check whether the poles have the right wall thickness.
In 30 years you have gained a lot of experience. What could you advise our readers who want to buy good quality bamboo?
Richard Zuckerman: In conclusion, you need to pay attention to the weight, wall thickness and maturity of the pole. Don’t be fooled by a low price – a lightweight, thin-walled and young pole will quickly break and fail to perform its function. It’s always a good idea to consult the supplier and ask about details that can affect the quality of the product.
Read about quality control processes at KOKOS, selection of bamboo suppliers in Part II of the interview