Ask The Expert: How does one tell the difference between the “Lucky Bamboo” plants that seem to twist and those that don’t twist — in their infancy?
Thanks,
Mark
Are Spiral Lucky Bamboo Born Or Created?
May 19, 2008 by 5 Comments
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Ask The Expert: How does one tell the difference between the “Lucky Bamboo” plants that seem to twist and those that don’t twist — in their infancy?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
Lucky bamboo is manipulate to create the twist or spiral ones. So all lucky bamboo start out straight and you have to create the spiral or twists. I detailed how to accomplish tis in an earlier post called How Are Lucky Bamboo Spirals Created
Hopefully it will answer all your questions.
what is the best light source to use when trying to “twist” the Lucky Bamboo? I am currently using one of those bulbs that are supposed to be much like sunlight. Can you expound on this issue for me?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
It doesn’t really matter what type of light you use as long as the light is concentrated more on one side of the plant. So you don’t want the light to be directly over the plant but more to the side. This will encourage the plant to grow towards the light. That is why some people use the cardboard box trick to get the bamboo to bend.
Jamie,
I have been doing a great deal more reading with respect to the Lucky Bamboo plants, and since last ‘speaking with you,’ I purchased a number of stalks. I am now in the process of using a box and a light (flourescent light bulb and/or a plant bulb) source. However, after reading some materials, it was suggested to me that these plants generally do not like direct lighting and therefore I am getting concerned. Some say that these light sources should have special filters on them. Is this true? My light source is approximately 3 feet from the plant (actually, a set of three stalks with new growth); is this too close or too far away? What would be the ideal conditions? I am reading conflicting ideas from a number of different sources, but since reading your posts, I am inclined to adjust my practices accordingly, as you seem to make the most sense.
Also — is it best to leave the light source on all the time, or just during the day?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
The issue of light placement is easily solved when you think about the natural setting of lucky bamboo. Normally it will grow when it can receive light but not where light beats down on top of it. The best place I found for my lucky bamboo was on top of the commode in my bathroom. There was a window above the commode and the tank lid top was about 18″ below the window. My lucky bamboo received a fair amount of light without the rays beating down on the plant.
With that said, the reason you use a cardboard box with one open side is to force the concentration of light to a particular spot — the side in which you want the lucky bamboo to lean. In a case like this, you would probably need to place the light source at least 18″ to 24″ away. This will give the lucky bamboo enough light to survive and will encourage the plant to lean toward the light. I would not keep the light on all of the time. Nature doesn’t have light 24hrs a day so your plant doesn’t need light 24hrs a day. Give the lucky bamboo a rest period from the light. It won’t hurt to experiment with the light distance. Start with the 3 foot mark and leave it for a week. If you lucky bamboo looks like it is thriving and creating a slight bend leave it alone; if it is stretching rather than bending move your light source a little closer.
I have been a greenhouse grower for over ten years and I still adjust my crops on an as need basis. The important thing is to have a guideline, which you have now, and make adjustments as that particular plants needs it. Just like children, plants have needs and requirements but they have individual characteristics that may need to be addressed.
I hope this information is helpful, please let me know if I can help with anything else.