LUCKY BAMBOO

You don't need to look very hard to seek out lucky bamboo nowadays. These plants crop up in offices, on desks, in businesses, and in homes just about everywhere. An important a part of principle , lucky bamboo plants are said to bring good luck and fortune, especially if the plants got as gifts. It also helps that they have a well-earned reputation as nearly indestructible; these tough stalks can survive in vases of pure water or in containers of soil, and in a wide variety of light conditions. Even a poorly kept lucky bamboo plant will live for an extended time before it finally succumbs.


The overwhelming majority of lucky bamboo plants are shipped in from Taiwan or China, where professional growers braid, twist, and curl their stalks into a mess of shapes. The more intricate lucky bamboo plants can cost many dollars and have 20 or more individual stalks. More commonly, though, lucky bamboo plants in simple pots are often had for as little as $10 for a three-stalk bundle.

Caring for Lucky Bamboo

There are certain growing conditions your lucky bamboo must be healthy, like proper light, water, potting media, fertilizer, and temperature. When it involves light, lucky bamboo prefers bright, filtered sunlight, like what's found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight because it will scorch the leaves. They are more tolerant of insufficient light than an excessive amount of . If the plant begins to stretch, however, or the green fades, provide more light.

Lucky bamboo can grow indefinitely during a simple vase crammed with pebbles (for support) and a minimum of an in. of water. However, they're very sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals commonly found in water . Water your lucky bamboo only with bottled or water , or water that has been overlooked for twenty-four hours to permit the chlorine to evaporate. Healthy lucky bamboo roots are red, so do not be alarmed during a glass vase if you'll anger roots. Finally, good hygiene recommends that you simply change the water weekly.

In addition to water, lucky bamboo are often grown during a well-drained, rich potting soil. The soil should be kept moist, but not soaking. Water as you would any Dracaena species. Plants grown in water will only got to be fed every other month approximately , employing a very weak liquid fertilizer. A single drop of liquid fertilizer is plenty for many lucky bamboo arrangements. Alternatively, specialty lucky bamboo fertilizers are available.

As you'll expect with bamboo, this plant prefers warmer temperatures of between 65 F and 90 F. Do not place the plants in front of air conditioning or heating vents, or by a drafty window.

Lucky bamboo leaves are mildly toxic, in order that they shouldn't be kept during a place where pets or children are likely to snack on them.

Trimming and Shaping

Despite its intricate appearance, lucky bamboo isn't shaped within the same way as bonsai, with plant wire and judicious trimming. Rather, they're shaped by rotating the plant stalks ahead of a light-weight source, thus causing the plant to naturally grow toward the sunshine . In China, the stalks are often grown on their sides to cause the distinctive spiral. At home, this is often a laborious process, but it are often accomplished by placing the plants under a three-sided box and paying close attention to its rate of growth , rotating the plant slowly and regularly. Be patient, as it can take a while to get it right.
Trimming, however, is a crucial a part of keeping your lucky bamboo healthy. Over time, most plants will become top-heavy, or intricate shapes will begin to lose their form. In general, it isn't an honest idea to chop the most stalk of lucky bamboo. Instead, cut the offshoots with sterile snippers. You can trim offshoots back to within an in. or two of the most stem. New shoots will soon emerge, and therefore the resulting plant are going to be bushier. To discourage new growth, dip the cut end in paraffin.
If you would like to vary its shape dramatically, you'll cut an entire offshoot flush against the most stalk. A tan scar will result, and new shoots may or might not emerge from the cut. Don't throw the trimmings away, as they will be wont to propagate new lucky bamboo plants. If you need to trim the main stalk for some reason, new shoots will emerge from below the cut, and the top portion—assuming it's healthy—can be used to start a new plant.

Common Problems

The most common mistakes associated with lucky bamboo are usually connected to the water. Chlorinated water will kill them over time, and water that's dirty or infected with bacteria are often deadly. If a plant develops black roots, these should be cut away. Similarly, dead leaves should never be allowed to rot within the water as they could introduce bacteria. Practice good water hygiene by changing the water every week with distilled or bottled water. If algae are growing in the water, it's usually because the plant is potted in a clear vase, allowing light to penetrate and encouraging algae growth. Just clean it out and begin again, switching to an opaque container if algae may be a persistent problem.
Leaves that are yellow usually indicate an excessive amount of sun or an excessive amount of fertilizer. Cut out the fertilizer and move the plant to a shadier location. Brown leaves usually indicate dry air or polluted water. Raise the humidity level by spraying the plant regularly and confirm you're using the acceptable water.
If the stalks themselves begin to rot or turn mushy, they're likely beyond saving. Worse yet, decaying stalks threaten the other stalks they're on the brink of . Remove them at once. If you actually want to save lots of it, cut away the yellow parts and check out to root the trimmed stalk in new water.
Finally, lucky bamboo is vulnerable to an equivalent insect problems as other indoor tropical plants. They can be treated manually (picking off bugs) or by an equivalent methods you'd use on the other indoor plant.