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Numerous questions have
come in concerning this
novelty plant. There
isn't much on the net
dealing directly with
the care of this plant...
but there is more than
you may think.
First
of all the name "Lucky
Bamboo" is a little
confusing. The plant
is really a Dracaena
not a bamboo, and specifically
it's
Dracaena sanderiana.
The "Lucky Bamboo" is
marketed and "grown"
basically as a hydroponic
plant, in a decorative
container with rock,
marbles, polished stones
to keep the plant upright
and water in the bottom...
no soil.
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Dracaena sanderiana is not a large plant
like Dracaena Massangeana - the corn plant.
The canes are harvested and cut into much
smaller lengths just as many Dracaenas.
The tops are waxed off to help stop the
entry of fungus or rot.
The plants
or canes are then grouped together creating
some unique looks. The "Lucky Bamboo" sort
of combines the production methods of Dracaena
Massangeana and the flexibility of Dracaena
Marginata.
So what can
you do specifically or what should you be
aware of in caring for your Dracaena sanderiana
- "Lucky Bamboo"?
Right off we know that many Dracaenas can
have fluoride problems, and where does most
of the fluoride problems come from? Our
water... use good clean pure water, try
to stay away from the tap water. If you're
going to use tap water let it sit out over
night to allow the chlorine to evaporate,
it won't remove the fluoride but the chlorine
can also damage the plants..
Most of the care recommends changing the
water every 3-7 days, so you can see good
water is important for these plants to do
well.
Next, we know that high salts can burn the
leaves of Dracaenas. Most of our salt build
ups come from adding fertilizer to the water.
You'll also find salts in your city water.
Stay away from fertilizing these plants
all together.
Again you see
the importance of a good clean water source.
From all my growing experience and observations
the "Lucky Bamboo" would probably do best
in good lighting but not direct sun. Remember
it's a novelty plant not a 6 foot specimen
and doesn't have the same demands.
How about when the plant grows too much
and you want to take a cutting or cut the
cane. Handle it just the way you're currently
growing your "Lucky Bamboo". Place the new
cutting in a small pot with some rock and
keep it moist until roots appear.
There are claims that the "Lucky Bamboo"
can live for years and I don't doubt it.
Just about any plant can be enjoyed for
years with proper care.
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Just in case you're
wondering if "Lucky
Bamboo" is that much
different that the more
familiar and commercially
grown Dracaenas. Other
than being a different
variety and grown or
presented in an unusual
way... No. You'll find
Dracaena massangeana
marketed in a similar
fashion as... "Lucky
Tree Logs".
It's really no different.
Most Dracaenas could
be produced this same
way. Size is the real
issue. If people were
really interested in
buying cane of other
varieties to give it
a "Lucky Bamboo" drop
us a line and we'll
see if some growers
of traditional cane
would be interested
in supplying it.
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