Ask the Expert: can lucky bamboo be planted into soil ?
It seems that my lucky bamboo plants have outgrown the window sill.                 So I was wondering if so called lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana),cao be taken out of the water only planter and be transplanted into a soil compound.And if so would you be able to tell me which mixture would be best to use.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Edgar W. DeCoursey III

Reply:

Edgar,

The quick answer is yes.  The long answer is it is a tricky process that doesn’t always work well.  Lucky bamboo, like all Dracaenas, is a plant that does grow in soil.  However once acclimated to water, lucky bamboo becomes an aquatic plant.  It is easier to take lucky bamboo from soil to water than it is from water to soil.  If you really want to plant it in soil this is what you will do:

1) Find a container that is no more than 2″ larger than the lucky bamboo stalk group and with drain holes.

2) Purchase some fast-draining soil mixture.  You might try a cactus or succulent blend like Schultz Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix.

3) Find or buy a few stones or broken crockery pieces.

4) Place the stones in the bottom of the container.  You only need a few to help with drainage.

5) Fill the container with soil within 1/2″ to 1″ of the top.

6) Create a hole for the lucky bamboo stem group.  Then place the lucky bamboo stems in the hole.  Only the roots and an inch of the stalks should be covered with the soil.

7) Water the lucky bamboo.  Be sure to keep it very moist.  It is imperative that you keep it extremely moist until it has acclimated itself to the soil.

You will need to be on the look out for signs of root rot and fungal problems when you plant it in the soil.  I

Good luck and keep me posted.

Yellowing Lucky Bamboo

Ask the Expert: Why my lucky bamboo turned yellow and how to fix
I have my lucky bamboo for a year or so, and i noticed a few months ago that some of its leaves were starting to wither. But now I am really worried, because the stem turned yellow from the bottom up (see picture attached). I would really like to save it, but I don’t know what to do, or where I did wrong so far. Please help.
Thank you Natasha

Reply:

You are not alone. Yellowing lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is the problem of the week.  A few things can caused lucky bamboo to turn yellow — Too much light or too much fertilizer.  Exposure to fluoride can cause leaf discoloration that may start out looking yellow but eventually turns brown.  When lucky bamboo turns yellow from the bottom up, it is a strong indication of exposure to too much fertilizer.  In a case like this, your best course of action is to change the water and rinse the container. Refill with distilled water and do not add fertilizer.  **If you don’t have distilled water, you will need to use water that has been exposed to the air for 24hrs.  This will allow both the fluoride and chlorine in tapped water to disapate. Then you can use it to fill your lucky bamboo container**   By doing this your lucky bamboo will have a chance (although slim) to recover.  Another option is to cut off the yellow and start over.  Lucky bamboo roots fairly easy.  If you go to my previous blog post We Are Not Always Lucky With Lucky Bamboo, you will see a detailed outline on how to do this with pictures.

Good Luck and please keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: Lucky Bamboo Stalks turning yellow
I recently received a Lucky Bamboo, shortly after the top of 2 of the stalks started turning yellow. One of them is down the stem about an inch and a half and feels a little mushy. I’ve read what to do if they start from the bottom but have found nothing about the tops. Thanks Pam

Reply:

Pam,

There is a difference in what causes stalks to turn yellow from the bottom up and from the top down. Usually fertilizer is the culprit when the stalks turn yellow from the bottom up. However, fertilizer may not be the only culprit when the stalks turn yellow from the top down. Too much light can be the issue. If you placed your plant where the light source can beat directly down on the lucky bamboo the leaves and stalk might turn yellow. So the first thing I would try is moving your plant away from the light source slightly. This should keep the other stalks from turning yellow. Unfortunately the stalks that are mushy will continue to decline unless you cut off the yellow mushy parts. Once the yellow is removed the plant will form new leaves.

For instruction on how to do this read the previous blog post called We Are Not Always Lucky With Lucky Bamboo

Also, I would probably change the water just in case the lucky bamboo has been exposed to too much fertilizer. Be sure to used distilled water or tap water that has been in an open container for 24 hours or more (this will allow the fluoride and chlorine to evaporate).

Good Luck and Keep me Posted.

Ask The Expert: I am considering selling Lucky Bamboo Plants thru my decorating business. It seems they are easy to take care of however recently I received a quite lare plant with at least 25 stems in it but they were in soil. I have not been able to find any information about growing them in soil or how to transition them over to water. I was wondering if you have any information that could help me with this. Thank you Chris

Reply:

Although Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is often grown hydroponically, it is actually a soil plant. Most dracaenas prefer to live in soil, so it will be very happy in the soil. However if you are selling lucky bamboo to fill a customers needs for hydroponically grown lucky bamboo then you must acclimate it to water.

This can be done. It is easier to transition soil grown lucky bamboo to water than the other way around. Begin by gently removing the lucky bamboo from the soil. You will need to wash all the soil particles off of the lucky bamboo stalks. Once you have done this prepare your container. You need a clean chemical free container. If you are selling the stems individually, don’t both with pebbles or rocks in the bottom of the container. Find a container that will support the lucky bamboo stalks without tipping over with only about two to three inches of water. If you need extra weight in the bottom of the vase add the pebbles or rocks but make sure the stems can easily be removed as you sell them. Place distilled water in the container or use tap water that has been exposed to air for at least 24 hours. Draceana sanderiana (lucky bamboo) is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine which as often found in tap water. Place your lucky bamboo in bright indirect light and do not fertilize.

I would not transfer all of the stalks at once. I would test trial about 3 or 4 for a couple of weeks to see how the transition goes. Remember lucky bamboo grown in soil likes a moist but not soggy condition. So make sure that the lucky bamboo potted in soil drains well.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Ask the Expert: Cloudy water in bamboo

I have read a bit about the bamboo, including a question from another person, but am still in the dark.
I have had several bamboo pieces for three years now, and just recently the leaves started to turn brown and the water was smelly and cloudy.  I have cleaned the stems and roots, as well as the rocks and containers, but they still turn the same.  This has never happened before.  I feel horrible that I have to throw one out because it has grown to over 3 feet!  Please help!  Alexis

Ask The Expert: Hello,
Please help me. I read your article on lucky house bamboo. I purchase 3 plants (stalks) in May 08 and until recently they were just fine. They did not grow much however I do have some plants growing out of them. I have them in water in a vase, which is how they were in the florist section of my food store. I noticed about a week ago that one of them is turning yellow. Is this a problem? Should I isolate it from the others? Is there anything I can do to help it return to green? Should I take the others out of the water and plant them in soil? These plants are 20 inches in height and the leaves growing from them are about 2 inches so far.

Thanks for answering with information you might have.

Patricia