Find Your Hi, My lucky bamboo (dracaena sanderiana) stalks started growing roots in the middle of the stems (nodes) where leaves have grown. This is the first time I have encountered this. Would like to know why this happens, and what should I do. I suspect it’s not getting any water and thus the leaves are yellowing…
Thanks in advance for your help! – Meng
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Lucky Bamboo Growing Extra Roots
September 30, 2011 by
Watering and Fertilizing Lucky Bamboo
February 22, 2011 by 6 Comments
Ask the Expert: Fresh Water and Fertilizer Question.
I have done a lot of reading on-line about how best to care for my lucky bamboo. There is a lot of conflicting information. I tend to change the water in my plants every 10-12 days and fertilize with lucky bamboo fertilizer every 6 months.
I have recently read to add fertilizer once a month and only change the water once a month when you add the fertilizer.
Is one way better than the other? Should I be fertilizing my plants more often? Is it okay to wait a whole month before changing the water? Jennifer
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert reply:
Every environment is different, so each lucky bamboo owner will have to determine what works for them. I tend to believe that lucky bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana) does better when not heavily fertilized. I personally don’t like to change the water as often as you do, but may be that is because I’m a little lazy. I say, If your stalks are green and healthy proceed with the way you are doing it.
The real key is to whether to change the water is the color. Cloudy water should be changed asap and clear water not for a while.
Fertilizer less is more. Lucky bamboo is sensitive to over fertilization, so error on the side of caution.
This lucky bamboo post was brought to you by the local Nampa Florists. Not in Nampa ID? Find real local florists using Flower Shop Network.
Need Help With Lucky Bamboo
February 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Ask The Expert: We have had 6 bamboo in a vase for about 2 years in an office. The air isnt so great, since some of our white paper signs on cabinets have gotten brown twice during that period. The bamboo have been great, but during the past month two stalks, one thick and the other a thin one, just developed yellowed and wilted leaves. Unfortunately we have not been good about changing water, but the roots seem fine, although rusty. There are small brown papules, like measles on the small one, and on one other. At the prior water line, there seems to be a brown blemish, but not soft or rotten on each of the stalks with several yellow leaves.
All the stalks appear dehydrated, with vertical palpable striations we think are due to shrinkage of the stalks. Others in other areas are smooth and plump. What is this due to, if their leaves are green and OK otherwise?
We changed the water, put the two with yellow leaves aside. Going to distilled water only.
Do you think it is a good idea to cut the stalks with yellow leaves at the bottom above the two blemish areas, assuming they are infected?
Do you have any suggestions re anti fungal ideas as a precaution?
In general, what fertilizer is best for bamboo? How often? Michelle
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- Lucky Bamboo Yellow Leaves
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Michelle,
It does appear that you plant is developing a fungus. I don’t know of a good fungicide for lucky bamboo. I would do the following thing:
1. Cut the damaged part off. To do this you will basically have a section the has no roots and a section that has no leaves. Not a problem. On the section with no leaves – you will need to make the cut well below the compromised section. On the section above the [Read more…]
Help My Lucky Bamboo Is Turning Brown And Droopy
February 4, 2011 by 2 Comments
Ask the Expert: Bamboo Leaves Drooping
Hello I took this bamboo plant I purchased 5 days ago to work. Today I noticed the leaves are drooping and it isn’t crisp anymore. Slightly turning brown. I live in Canada and is -17 degree Celsius outside when I bought it to work. I wasn’t outside too long just during the waiting for my bus to arrive. The temperature at work fluctuates but I will say it is cold most of the time. Today is Friday I will probably bring my plant back home on Monday if it does get worst. What can I do to save my poor plant? Janice
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- Dracaena Sanderiana
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- Sprial Lucky Bamboo
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- Top Of Spiral Lucky Bamboo
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert: First – It needs to be kept some where between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. As long as your office stays above 15 degrees Celsius (that would be 59 degrees Fahrenheit), then leave it at your office – if not take it home.
Once it is in its permanent home leave it alone. It needs time to adjust. Give it a couple of weeks and the browning as well as the drooping should stop.
In the meantime make sure it is getting adequate light – bright filtered light no direct light. Make sure you keep the water level the same. When you add water use distilled water or tap water that has been exposed to air in an open container for 24 hours. It might help to read Caring For Lucky Bamboo.
I really think your lucky bamboo will be ok. It looks very healthy.
This lucky bamboo question was brought to you by Rutland Florists. Not in Rutland VT? Use Flower Shop Network to find a local florist near you.
Is It Possible to Rejuvenate Lucky Bamboo?
January 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Ask the Expert: Lucky Bamboo – Stalk turning yellow
My daughter’s “lucky bamboo” plant (about 2-3 years old) has started yellowing from the base upward. Leaves and upper stalk are stilll firm and green, but lower stalk is yellow and beginning to give under gentle pressure. Is there any way to save the plant? Can the top (apparently healthy) portion be removed and re-rooted; or can the lower portion be rejuvenated in some manner? I’m assuming the problem is our water source (water quality fluctuates and contains both salts and chlorine to varying degrees)–so will be changing the water supply and also increasing the plant’s light source. Joy
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:Yes and No. You will only be able to save the healthy green top – the bottom will need to be discarded.
Please read the article written about how to propagate lucky bamboo. In the article Jamie discusses where to cut your lucky bamboo and how to get it to produce roots thus giving you a new healthy lucky bamboo stalk.
However, don’t put it in too much light. Lucky bamboo prefers a indirect bright light. Too much direct light can also cause the lucky bamboo to yellow. As for water try using distilled water or bottled water. If you must use tap water, place the water in an open container for 24hours before you use it in the lucky bamboo container.
This post was brought to you by local Palm Springs FL florists. Not in Palm Springs FL? Find a local florist in your area using Flower Shop Network.
Lucky Bamboo Success Story
December 7, 2010 by 2 Comments
Ask the Expert: bamboo plants
I had them in water for a long time about 2 years until I saw a lot of roots coming form them, then I put my bamboo plants in miracle grow potting mix with bought dirt.
Ever since then they started to bloom like crazy to where I have to change the pot maybe once every two years. this is my second time transferring the pots. is this normal for them to grow like that? and is what I am doing okay? Fran
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Despite the fact that lucky bamboo (draceana sanderiana) can be grown in water, it really prefers to live in soil. So, you lucky bamboo is healthy and happy and you should be proud of your success. You are seeing normal growth. Keep doing what you are doing. If the plants become to tall, you can always top the lucky bamboo stalks and start new plants.
This post is brought to you by local Des Moines Florist.
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Lucky Bamboo: Fungus & Mushy Stalks
July 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Ask The Expert: I have been reading about the bamboo plants, I had a coworker tell me to wash mine and rinse out the rocks, so I did. But after reading your info.. I am afraid mine is fungus!! That can’t be good to breathe in!! Most of the stalks around the outside are black and mushy.. the coworker thought if I cleaned them they would be OK.. now I am afraid I set mold up into the air!!! Deana
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert: I wouldn’t worry too much about the fungus going into the air. However, any lucky bamboo stalk that is mushy has a problem. I recommend topping the lucky bamboo and starting new plants. Then discard the black mushy part of the stalk. Wash the rock and container with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Then fill the container with distilled water and place the tops in the water. They should start to form new roots in a couple of weeks.
To learn how to root new lucky bamboo stalks read the following:
Turn Your Lucky Bamboo Top Into A New Plant
Topping Lucky Bamboo
What Is A Lucky Bamboo Node
Can You Make A Lucky Bamboo Stalk Branch?
July 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Ask The Expert: I have several tall Lucky Bamboo plants. Most only have 1 limb sprouted. How can I get more branches from these plants. Thank You, Chef Harry Grow
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert: The nature of lucky bamboo is to grow a single stalk. However, you can make al lucky bamboo stalk branch by cutting the top off. If you top the lucky bamboo stalk, two new branches will appear on the side of the stalk just below the cut. You can then root the top to start a new stalk. Read Turn Your Lucky Bamboo Top Into A New Plant post to learn how to root the top.
Can Lucky Bamboo Go From Yellow To Green?
May 11, 2010 by 15 Comments
Ask the Expert: About my lucky bamboo
If the thick stem of my lucky bamboo has turned yellow is there any way to get it green again? Â The plant is about 2 1/2 feet in height. Â Thanks you. Patsy
Plant Expert Reply:
Once a lucky bamboo stalk turns yellow it will not turn back to green. If the stalk is staying firm, you can leave it be. However, I usually remove the yellowing stalks from a container holding healthy green stalks. You can propagate new stalks from the yellow one if it still has green parts. Our blog post We are not always lucky with lucky bamboo details the process of propagating lucky bamboo.
When Should Lucky Bamboo Be Transplanted Into A Larger Vase
May 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Ask the Expert: When to transplant
I have a Lucky Bamboo plant that is getting really big. Â It is in a small vase. Â How do I know when I should transplant to a larger vase? Kathryn
Plant Expert Reply:
A good rule of thumb is to transplant lucky bamboo when it becomes top heavy or is 1 1/2 times taller than the container it is in.
