Find Your Ask the Expert: How do I get rid of the mildew on my lucky bamboo?
Help! I have found white powder on my lucky bamboo. I have had this plant for over 4 years now and this is it’s first problem. From my web searches, I found out that it is mildew. None of the sites really have told me how to get rid of it on lucky bamboo.
Thanks! Vienna
Plant Expert Reply:
It depends on what you are calling mildew.
If you have an algae build up in the water or around the roots of the lucky bamboo, you need to clean the container and any pebbles with soapy water and wipe off the roots and the stalks with a moist cloth and refill the container.
If you have lesions on the stalk, you will need to remove the lesions. In this case you may need to create new stalks from the top of the stalk. You might want to read this lucky bamboo post, it details how to remove diseased parts of lucky bamboo.
If you have white cottony substance on the stalks, it could actually be an insect called scale. You can wipe this insect off and clean the container as a method of control. If the scale persists, use an insecticide that is safe for houseplants.
If you have a type of fungus that is rust or sooty in color, we have a whole other ballgame. These would need to be treated with a fungicide. The hardest part is finding a fungicide safe for Dracaena. You could try daconil. It is a general purpose fungicide.
If you are not sure what type of “mildew” your lucky bamboo has, send me a picture. I’ll be happy to help any way I can.
Please keep me posted.
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the info. I think from what you wrote it might be the insect scale, but I’m not sure. I have attached a few photos for you to see. It’s kind of hard to see though. I washed the plant down and there was some of the cotton like substance on the leaves. That is where I noticed it first. Thanks so much for your help!!
Attached Image: P6150975.jpg
sorry, it looks like only 1 picture attached. here is a like of a few pictures. Thanks again!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20028487@N03/
Oh yeah, it looks like you have a bad case of scale. If you still have problems with it, you might try a very light solution of insecticidal soap. You will want to take the stalks out of the container and spray them with the insecticidal soap. Then when the stalks have dried place them back in the water.
I think from what you wrote it might be the insect scale, but I’m not sure. I have attached a few photos for you to see. It’s kind of hard to see though.
I had this white substance on the stalks of my bamboo. The leaves had been turning pale yellow. I removed the plan from the container and sprayed it heavily with a garden insecticide and washed the container our with hot soapy water. Can anyone tell me what this stuff is and the property way to treat it?
Attached Image: P1080877.jpg
Shawn,
It looks like an insect called scale. If you pick a piece off and examine it under a magnifying glass, you should be able to see the legs and other insect identifying parts. The insecticide should get kill the scale. If it doesn’t, you will need an insecticide made specially for scale insects.
Hello I know this post is very old, but please answer if you have a chance. I just bought a dying bamboo from my local dollar store because I wanted to help it, but when I trimmed the dead leaves off and stuff I put it in water just to find black fuzzy spots on the roots. I fear for my plant. I named him “Happy” in hopes of one day bringing him to the state of happiness.
Hello Leah,
You can cut the roots completely off of your lucky bamboo. Then dip the cut in rooting hormone, let it dry for 24 hours, and place in a clean container with fresh distilled water. In a couple of weeks, the plant will form new roots.
If the stock is mushy is that part dead
bamboo plants with mushy steams are they dead
Joyce,
Not necessarily. It depends on where they are mushy. If you can cut out the mushy section and still have part of the plants attached to the roots, the plant can still make it or if you can cut off a healthy top you can start a new plant.
Yes it is.
I have Textilis bamboo. We started noticing couple different things. Started with yellowing and dying sprouts. Then kind of a rot at the bottom of the stock and tell over. I’ve now noticed mushroom and weird patches of dirt. I think we have a fungus of some sort. No one has been able to give me any real help.
We put in this bamboo as a screen from neighboring house overlooking into our yard. We’ve spent quite a bit and worked real hard to take care of it. This problem started in spring of this year.
Hello Jamie,
Wondering if you could please give me some advice about my Lucky Bamboo plant. I have noticed that i have some black dots forming on the stem of my bamboo. it is starting from the soil line and is now at least 5cm up the stem. I believe it is a fungus, but i am unsure. I dont know what to do.
Also, if you could tell me how I can send you a photo, it might help explain. Thank you,
Hi Jess! Here’s a link to different articles we’ve written about Lucky Bamboo plants. Hope it helps! —> https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/?s=lucky+bamboo