Lucky Bamboo - Bloomin' Blog

Lucky Bamboo With Rotting Roots

April 13, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams 3 Comments

Ask the Expert: Yellowing Stem- Plant
Hello,

I got a lucky bamboo three months ago, and about a week ago the stem started yellowing. As you can see from the picture, the roots kind of turned brown/black-ish. The leaves are still very green, and the stem is yellowing but still strong. In picture 1 you can see its about half green/half yellow. I had a few questions, though. 1. I saw that you usually recommend to cut off the yellow parts and start with green, but is that ALWAYS the case? Is it possible for the bamboo stem to recover and turn green again, or is it “once yellow, always yellow?” 2. Although the bottom of the rooms look black/brown, I see some new white (healthy?) roots budding from it. What does this mean? Could I just cut off the brown part entirely, and have new roots grow from the yellow stem? Is there any disadvantage to a wait and see approach?

Thank You,
Mike

Plant Expert Reply:
The wait and see approach can work for yellowing stems, but only if the roots are still healthy. The yellow stalks usually don’t turn back to green but can survive if the stalk doesn’t become soft and mushy. However, your roots do not look healthy. This is what I recommend: Cut the healthy top off the lucky bamboo stalk and start a new plant in a new container. Then cut the black roots off and see if the stalk will produce new roots and come out of the yellowing. The disadvantage to the wait and see approach is:
1) If multiple stalks in one container the issue can spread.
2) If you wait to long, you might not have a healthy piece to start a new one.

If you try my recommendation, you can essentially have your cake and eat it too. Good luck and keep me posted.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions

Could Lucky Bamboo Yellowing Be Caused By Spider Mites Or A Fungus.

March 22, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams 6 Comments

Ask the Expert: Lucky bamboo leaves turning yellow
Hi,

I’ve had my bamboo for four years and it was doing great. I suddenly noticed a lot of yellowing on the leaves on one of them. The 2nd stalk has some yellow dots on the leaves. The 3rd one is doing fine. It is starting to spread rapidly. I have 3 stalks. The roots of all 3 are entangled. I have always had them in a glass container with water. I have never used a fertilizer and they were fine without it and were extremely healthy. I always use purified drinking water. I change the water every two weeks, clean the stalk and roots by just running water on them. Please help..I need to save them. Aparna

Plant Expert Reply:

Since you haven’t fertilized the plant or I assume changed the location of the lucky bamboo, the top two reasons for yellowing have been eliminated — too much fertilize and too much light.

Now we have to check for attackers. The pale yellowing could be a sign of a spider mite infestation. Spider mites are very small insects that will attack the lucky bamboo. You will need a magnifying glass to see them. If your plant has spider mites, you will need to spray it with an insecticide. You local garden center nursery will be able to tell you which insecticide to use.

The spot on the leaf could be a fungus or a bacterial problem. You will first need to determine which it is. If you send me an up close picture of the spot I should be able to determine what it is and then your local garden center will be able to determine which fungicide you need.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Fungus, Lucky Bamboo, Lucky Bamboo Diseases, Spider Mites

Brownish Circular Spots On Lucky Bamboo – What Gives?

March 18, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert: Hello I have a quick lucky bamboo question for you if you have a second. I’ve had my lucky bamboo (two stalks) for about 4 years now and its grown very well up until this point (its currently about 4.5 feet tall). Last week I noticed that one lower leaf on each of the stalks was turning yellow. I ran it under some tap water for a bit and then hoped it would get better but those leave just became more yellow. Today i noticed that the more yellow of the two appeared to have some type of infection. there were brownish circular mold spots inside the leaf so to try and prevent it from spreading, I took an blade and carefully cut just those leaves from the stem. Unfotunitly, it looks as though I might have acted too late and now the other leaves are starting to get a little yellow as well. Any thoughts on how I might save it?

Thank you,
Katherine

Plant Expert Reply:

Your lucky bamboo seems to have some type of leaf spot. It could be Phyllosticta maculicola which is characterized by irregular small browish spot with yellish margins. It is spread by water. So, wetting the leaves will cause the damage to spread. Normally prevention is the best course of action. Remove infected leaves and don’t wet the foliage. As long as the stem stay healthy you should be ok.

If the damaged areas are circular raised and reddish brown lesions with yellow halos, the lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) has been infected with Fusarium Leaf Spot (Fusarium moniliforme). This is a fungus that may need to be treated with Daconil (a fungicide that you can get at your local garden center). I still recommend removing the damaged leaves.

If you use scissors or a knife to remove the damaged leaves dip them in a solution of bleach and water between cuts. Mix the solution at a 3 to 1 ratio — 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. This will keep the fungus from spreading as you remove the damaged leaves.

Flower Shop Network proudly sponsors this lucky bamboo question.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo

Traveling Lucky Bamboo Turning Yellow

December 29, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: lucky bamboo plants
Hello,
I’ve recently brought 2 bamboo plants from Scotland to Barcelona in Spain and one of these plants has recently started to turn yellow from not quite the top of the stalk and this colour is travelling down the stalk. At the bottom of the stalk where it”s still green are new leaves coming out of a new little stalk. There’s still a leaf coming out of the top of the stalk (where it’s still green). The other plant seems to be fine. I’ve put both these plants together with a 3rd plant which has always been in our house in Barcelona – also healthy. I’m particularly keen to know what to do with the plant turning yellow as they were my dad’s plants and he just passed away a couple of months ago and I obviously want to keep them. Could it be the change of location or different type of water? I was using tap water here in Barcelona but have now changed to bottled water, having read some other postings. Also, what should I do about the new shoot at the bottom of the stalk!
? I’s still healthy but because it’s quite low down is inside the large glass container I keep them in, about an inch above the water. I’m scared the yellow colour is going to spread down and infect that part too! I keep them inside where they get some light but not bright direct sunlight.
Thanks very much in advance. Catherine

Plant Expert Reply:

All plants will go through transplant shock when moved. Wilting, pale coloring and lack of growth can all be a result of transplant shock. Normally we recommend leaving the plant alone during this period. However with yellowing in lucky bamboo, we look for other causes as well. In lucky bamboo, yellowing is usually caused by one of two factors: too much light or too much fertilizer. Too much light usually occurs from top down— while too much fertilizer occurs from bottom up. In your case, the yellowing seems to be from the middle traveling downward. This makes me think it is a damage issue and not the normal transplant shock or yellowing issues.

Check the stalk. Do you see a slight wound or rust spot? If you do, the stalk has been compromised and now has a pathogen causing the yellowing. To treat this problem remove the infected stalks from the other stalks. Now you will need to take the infected stalk and remove the damaged part. You will do this the same way you would propagate a new lucky bamboo stalk. Place the healthy green part attached to the roots in its own container filled with distilled water. If the top still has a healthy green part propagate a new stalk (be sure to use the rooting hormone) and place in the conatiner with the stalk with roots. Throw the yellow part of the stalk away.

Good Luck and keep me posted on the prgress of your lucky bamboo.

Flower Shop Network is a proud sponsor of Ask The Expert questions.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Lucky Bamboo Diseases, Yellowing Lucky Bamboo

What To Do When Lucky Bamboo Stalk Can’t Support Itself

November 18, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 5 Comments

Ask the Expert: Hi,

I have a question about caring for my lucky bamboo plant. I have had the plant for 2 and a half years, and the branch has gotten so large that it cannot even stand up straight anymore because of the weight. It seems like the base node of the stalk is too thin to support it, though it is green and looks healthy. What would you recommend? Should I try to find some kind of wooden pole for support. Your advice is highly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Alaina Kiskaddon

Plant Expert Reply:

Lucky bamboo stalks that are flimsy because they are too long need to be topped. This gives you a great opportunity to create new stalks.

Before you top your lucky bamboo, you will need a few things: a sharp knife, rooting hormone, a container for the new stalks, and a water mist bottle. I recommend using distilled water with lucky bamboo, but you can use tap water. If you use tap water it will need to aerate it overnight before you use it.

Once you have assembled your tools, determine how short you want your existing stalk to be after you top it. Now find a node close to the height you want the stalk to be. The node is the raised ring on the lucky bamboo stalk. Cut the lucky bamboo stalk off an inch above the node. The part that is still attached to the roots will form new leaves and the part (top) that is left will become a new lucky bamboo stalk. Dip the cut end of the top in rooting hormone and let dry. When the rooting hormone has dried, place it in the new container filled with water.

In a couple of weeks the top will develop roots. In a few weeks the existing stalk will form leaves. However, to help the leaves form you new leaves you will need to mist the stalks. Start misting the stalk a couple of days after you have topped it. Mist it once or twice a day until the leaves form.

You can create new stalks any time by repeating the process. Good luck and keep me posted.

Picture of a lucky bamboo node.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions, Plant Propagation

Don’t Let Your Cat Eat Lucky Bamboo

October 9, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 15 Comments

Ask the Expert: Is Lucky Bamboo poisonous to cats?
Have received a Lucky Bamboo plant, need to know if it will make my cats sick—since they believe plants are there to be eaten. Dallas

Plant Expert Reply:

According to the ASPCA Dracaena sanderiana (lucky bamboo or ribbon plant) can be harmful to cats. If ingested, it causes dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heart-rate and drooling. Cats who ingest lucky bamboo will show signs of depression, no appetite, drooling, vomiting, incoordination and weakness. If you think your cat has ingested lucky bamboo, call your veterinarian for recommendations on how to handle the toxin.

This lucky bamboo question was sponsored by local flower shops across the United States and Canada.

Filed Under: Plants & Pets Tagged With: Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo

All Good Things Come To An End Even Lucky Bamboo

September 9, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: Why is my lucky bamboo yellowing and droopy
My 5yr old lucky bamboo is in a small pot glued in under pebbles and can’t be repotted. It’s leaves used to stand straight up, but over the last month, it’s leaves have begun to yellow and are now yellowing rapidly.
The stalks are still dark green, but the leaves are drooping badly. Can I save my plant? Jan

Plant Expert Reply:

All good this come to an end and so has your lucky bamboo and it’s container. The container no longer gives the lucky bamboo what it needs – a good home.

I suggest you propagate new lucky bamboo stalks. To do this you will need rooting hormone (a powdery substance from your local garden center), a new container, a sharp knife and some distilled water. Begin by locating a node (raised ring on the stem of you lucky bamboo stalk) that is half way up the stalk. Now take the knfie and cut the stalk at a 45degree angle about an inch above the node. Now you have a top with no roots and a bottom with no leaves.

Take the top and dip the cut side in rooting hormone. Wait any where from 2 hours to 24hours and place the top in the new container with water. In a couple of weeks, this stalk will form roots and you will have a new plant.

Usually the bottom will develop new leaves beside the cut. However since the container is small and glued in this may not occur. I would still give it a try. Beginning 2 days after cutting, start misting the plant twice a day. Do this until you see new shoots for on the sides of the cut.

Once you have roots and leaves treat your plants as you did before you propagated them. Good Luck and Keep me posted.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo

Questions About Lucky Bamboo

August 28, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Lucky Bamboo With Pebbles

Ask the Expert: A Few Questions About My Lucky Bamboo
and i been searching on the net to see just how to care for them, and i have been getting ALOT of different things pointed at me..

* I understand that they are hardy plants which dont like to be fussed with to much..
* I know they like destilled water over tap or spring
* I also know that you have clean/change the water and rocks in order for it to stay free of bacteria

My Questions Are However :

1. How often should you give it water? (once a week, 2 times a month?) – im totally confused!!

2. How often should you change/clean the rocks?

3. How much food should you give it, and when?

please let me know! like i said i have been reading alot of things online.. and im not sure what one to follow, please help Janelle

Plant Expert Reply:

I understand your stress. So I will try to give quick and uncomplicated answers.

Lucky Bamboo water requirement: Give it enough water to maintain a consistent water level. For me that means once a week for you it may be longer or shorter. Tip: make a mark where you optimum water level should be – if the water drops 1/4″ below this mark add water. For you I would make the mark right at the lip edge of your pot.

Keeping Lucky Bamboo clean: If you keep all decaying plant material out of your container, you will only need to replace the water every couple of months. The only time I would change or clean the rocks would be if a bacteria or algae conditions was occurring.

Feeding Lucky Bamboo: I personally feed my lucky bamboo twice a year. Lucky bamboo is slow growing and do not respond well to over-fertilization. If you feel that it needs more fertilizer, schedule fertilization once a quarter.

I hope this information helps to remove any confusion you might have about lucky bamboo. Please keep me posted and let me know if you have other questions.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Dracaena sanderiana, l, Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions

Changing Lucky Bamboo Containers

August 23, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Lucky Bamboo Pot Option

Ask the Expert: Re-plant my Lucky Bamboo
As you can see from the pictures my lucky bamboo plant has (I think) all but outgrown its original glass planter.
I would like to re-plant it in the new planter (see picture).
Will it look okay in this new planter?
Can I use rocks to fill it (along with the small pebbles it came with) and if so what kind of rocks I should use?
Clean and wash them?
What else do I need to be aware of?
Thanks
JD

Plant Expert Reply:

I think the lucky bamboo will look fine in the crytal shoe. You have two options: 1) You can place river rock pebbles in the container. You will need to wash the rock first with warm soapy water and then rinse them before placing them in the shoe. 2) Don’t place any pebbles in the container – I have had lucky bamboo in a vase without pebbles.

When you transfer the lucky bamboo use distilled water. You might lightly prine the roots at this time. The lucky bamboo may go into transplant shock for a couple of weeks. Don’t panic just let it be and it will come out of it.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions

Watering Lucky Bamboo

August 17, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask The Expert: lucky bamboo i just bought isin a “pot” (more like a glass) about 5-6″ high. It has rocks init. You can\’t see through the container, so how do I know how much water to keep in the plant. do i just keep it so i can feel it at the top of the rocks ?

Plant Expert Reply:

You will want to keep the water level at least an inch or so above the rocks. It is acceptable to fill your container half full of water. You will want to keep this level all of the time. Depending on the hum idity of your room, you may have to add water every couple of days.

Keep in mind, lucky bamboo likes water but doesn’t like the chemicals – chlorine and fluoride. So you will need to use distilled water or you will need to leave your water in an open container, for a minimu of overnight and up to 24hrs, before you place it in your lucky bamboo container.

To help with humidity, you can mist the air around your lucky bamboo every so often.

Good Luck and Keep me posted.

Filed Under: Lucky Bamboo Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Dracaena sanderiana, Lucky Bamboo, Plant Care Questions

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