| Many people are fascinated with Lucky Bamboo and | | | | Lucky Bamboo. But I have seen it thrive on regular |
| ask lots of questions about how to care for it, | | | | tap water, too. |
| whether it requires fertilizer, how long will it live, etc. | | | | With proper care, Lucky Bamboo can live and grow |
| I've compiled some information that will help in your | | | | for years. The cut stalk does not grow longer. It is |
| decision as to whether Lucky Bamboo is the plant of | | | | the "sprouts" from the rings around the stalk that |
| choice for you. | | | | actually grow. A tall stalk can actually be cut in |
| Origin | | | | several places and new Lucky Bamboo plants will |
| Lucky Bamboo is actually a water garden plant and a | | | | grow. |
| descendant of Dracaena Sanderiana. This plant grows | | | | If some of the leaves turn yellow, it doesn't mean |
| mainly in Asia and tradition is that it is believed to be | | | | your plant is dying; it means it's adapting to its new |
| very lucky and brings good fortune to the home and | | | | environment -- and bringing renewed positive energy |
| its inhabitants. Lucky Bamboo is a favorite for those | | | | ("chi") to the area. However, if the stalk that is sitting |
| who practice feng shui (pronounced fung shway). It's | | | | in water starts to turn yellow, it generally means it is |
| all about positive energy -- or chi -- and it's the latest | | | | dying. I would remove that stalk from the other |
| indoor gardening trend! | | | | bamboo. Once it turns yellow, the stalk will usually rot |
| Care and Feeding | | | | and die. It will eventually fill the water with bacteria |
| It is resilient and easy to care for. It does not like | | | | and the remaining bamboo plants will turn yellow and |
| direct sunlight, as this can burn and wilt the leaves, | | | | die as well. |
| but will thrive easily in just about any part of a room. | | | | It would be a good idea, at this point, to clean out |
| It is especially nice for an office since it is often a | | | | the gravel and the container and wash the other |
| "conversation starter." | | | | Lucky Bamboo stalks that were in that same |
| It is a good plant for people who love plants but | | | | container, fill it with fresh water, and your plants will |
| believe they do not have a green thumb. All it | | | | be as good as new. |
| requires is water! It can be placed in a large glass or | | | | Pruning and Propagating |
| a vase of water and it will grow. I prefer to place it | | | | Healthy plants can eventually become "top heavy." |
| in a nice ceramic bowl with some pea gravel, | | | | Lucky Bamboo can be pruned by making a clean cut |
| aquarium gravel, or marbles to hold it securely. I also | | | | above a "ring." Smaller stalks will eventually branch |
| put a few stalks together and tie them with some | | | | out and you will have a fuller, more leafy plant. Lucky |
| natural raffia to make a bow. | | | | Bamboo roots tend to grow quickly and it does not |
| I would suggest that they be placed out of the | | | | hurt to trim the roots when they get too long. |
| reach of children and pets. Just like most house | | | | Meaning |
| plants, they could suffer toxic reactions if the leaves | | | | The number of stems determines the kind of luck |
| were ingested and could cause stomach upset. | | | | you'll have. For example, one stem represents a solid |
| Lucky Bamboo does not require fertilizer. However, a | | | | beginning; three stems represent luck in health and |
| few drops of a liquid fertilizer, high in nitrogen, can be | | | | love; eight stems represent wealth; nine represent |
| placed in the water occasionally. Bottled water is | | | | luck in marriage and business. |
| best, since fluoride is commonly added to our drinking | | | | "Good Luck" with your Lucky Bamboo!! |
| water and this is not something that is good for | | | | |