Lucky Bamboo

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2/2/04 I live in Lewiston Idaho and I have an indoor spiral bamboo...

I was wondering about trimming it.. I don't want to trim the bottom, as that is where the roots are... Can I trim one of the ends of the curly spiral or where do I trim it??

Thank you
Jan Smith

Hi Jan:

Your indoor spiral bamboo( dracaena sanderiana), according to my sources can be pruned from the top by cutting just above a node. One expert tells me that she prevents excessive growth by pinching out the center of the leaf clusters as they form.

Good luck and Keep Your Green Thumbs Up!!!

Mike

12/30/03 Propagating Lucky Bamboo - If I break it off at a knuckle and put the top portion in water will in take root and will the bottom portion grow leaves?
Hope u can help
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
JulieStaab
Pointe a la Hache, LA

Hi Julie:

Use a sharp knife to cut the "Lucky Bamboo" stalk just below a "knuckle". Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone powder,. Place the cutting in a pot containing a moist mixture of vermiculite and sphagnum peat moss. Place the pot in a well lit room . Although some gardeners have success rooting the stalk in water this method seems to work better. The plant from which you took the cutting should continue to sprout more leaves.

Keep Your Green Thumbs Up!!!

Mike

8/4/03 MIKE~ I HAVE AN INDOOR BAMBOO PLANT, (ABOUT 1.5 -2 FEET TALL). IT HAS DONE VERY WELL FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, BUT THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN A WHOLE BUNCH OF THE LEAVES HAVE YELLOWED, AND IT SMELLS HORRIBLE, LIKE IT HAS ROOT ROT. SO I DUMPED THE WATER, CLEANED OUT THE ROOTS AND LET THEM DRY A LITTLE BIT, TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP. I LIVE IN MONTANA AND IT HAS BEEN REALLY HOT HERE LATELY, AND WE DO NOT HAVE CENTRAL AIR IN OUR HOUSE, SO I WAS WONDERING IF IT WAS THE HOTTER TEMPS IN OUR HOUSE, (79-84 DEGREES), OR DID IT GET TOO MUCH WATER? CAN IT BE SAVED? I AM VERY FOND OF IT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE PLANT AND WAS FROM MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, AND SHE IS VERY UPSET ABOUT THE WHOLE THING ALSO. THERE ARE STILL SOME GREEN LEAVES ON IT, BUT NOW I HAVE IT SITTING IN THE SHADE WITH A TINY BIT OF WATER IN THE BOTTOM, GETTING PLENTY OF AIR IF IT NEEDS IT. PLEASE HELP WITH AN E-MAIL ANSWER TO somerg13@hotmail.com. THANKS.............
SOMER IN MONTANA

Hi Somer in Montana-

From what you tell me about your bamboo plant I am wondering if you have what is commonly sold as a "Lucky Bamboo"-and is not a true bamboo plant but a Dracaena Sanderiana. Correct me, please, if I am wrong.

What makes me think so is because these plants are frequently grown hydroponically as you obviously are doing. But moving on... when grown in water the water needs to be changed frequently (every 2 or 3 days) otherwise rotting does occur especially with the higher temperatures that you describe. I believe you have taken proper action and that recovery should occur.

Hopefully as the plant recovers, your mother-in-law will regain her emotional balance and all will be blissful in the Big Sky Country.

Keep Your Green Thumbs Up1!!

Mike