Connie's Corner
July 7, 2010 

LET’S GET LUCKY…with LUCKY BAMBOO!

Just recently a customer brought a “lucky bamboo” plant into the shop for my inspection and tips for its care.  It was clearly failing and in need of being rescued.  That said, it just needed some simple cultural adjustments.  My customer had repotted it in some gravel and soil without any type of drainage. It was droopy and had yellow leaves.  I repotted it again in a vase with river rock and fresh water about an inch from the bottom of the canes and sent it on its way.

Lucky Bamboo isn’t bamboo at all, but a member of the Dracaena family.  As many people have discovered, it is a wonderful office plant, houseplant or gift due to its ease of culture.  Another idea for this plant---it makes an awesome wedding favor!

If you consider buying one of these lovelies, try one of the contorted or twisted forms.  They really are quite enticing!

Here are a few tips for its care.  It prefers plenty of bright indirect sunlight and a change of fresh water each week.  Keep the H2O level about an inch above the bottom of the canes. These plants do very well in the water and do not need soil---just river rock or gravel.  A mild fertilizer can be added to the water periodically. The more you feed, the larger your plant.  If your plant suffers from yellow leaves it is most likely from chlorinated water, or from softened tap water.  Only use filtered water for your plant.

Lucky Bamboo has been long associated with Feng Shui, or the bringing of natural elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal into balance with the environment.  Lucky Bamboo is believed to be an ideal example of the thriving wood and water element, with the addition of a red ribbon sometimes tied around the stalks which is believed to “fire” the positive flow of energy or “chi” into the room.

The number of stalks has meaning:  three stalks for happiness, five stalks for wealth, and six stalks for health.

Think outside the box next time you send flowers and send a Lucky Bamboo plant for “something different” and quite sensational.

Questions or comments?  I’d love to hear from you! 

Connie
574.293.5584
connie@sautters.net