"Lucky Bamboo" or "Lucky Bamboo" is an easy-to-care houseplant. It grows well in low indirect light and is a miniature alternative to the huge evergreen growing in the subtropical regions of Asia. This flower is actually not a bamboo at all, but a type of tropical water lily called Sander's Dracaena, native to Africa. The plant is said to bring good luck to the inhabitants of any place where it is grown.
If you dream of a real giant, you can try to buy bamboo seeds. They can be germinated, but at home it will be difficult to maintain the temperature and humidity necessary for this subtropical plant. Young shoots can die quickly. But still, bamboo seeds are on sale. Therefore, for those who crave experiments, nothing prevents them from trying to sow them. The rest of the lovers of indoor plants suitable for growingindoor bamboo.
Features of the formation of the stem of Sander dracaena
People who are interested in oriental culture and familiar with the teachings of Feng Shui, sometimes combine this hobby with floriculture. They are constantly in search of suitable plants that can bring well-being, harmony and comfort to the house. According to beliefs, "lucky bamboo" refers to just such living magnets for good luck and success, which is why it is so popular among followers of the Feng Shui teachings.
You can often see plants with spiral stems on sale, but this is not the natural state of Sander's dracaena. The shoots are bent artificially, forcing them to reach for the light source and periodically turn in the opposite direction. The lower leaves are removed to increase the resemblance to the larger tees. So a beautiful even spiral is obtained from the trunk. But in the process of growing bamboo at home in the ground, it begins to grow as usual, upwards. Many are disappointed by this behavior of the flower, but spinning it again is not so easy. Although some flower growers still try to form a dracaena by tying several stems with pigtails or directing them in different directions with the help of special brackets. To do so or let the flower grow naturally - everyone decides for himself.
Using Dracaena Sander in the interior
Another thing - professional florists. They often use many bamboo stalks to create intricate arrangements by weaving and twisting them in various directions. Similarthe work is facilitated by the fact that the plant is able to grow without soil and remain viable for a long time, remaining in a small amount of nutrient solution. Therefore, it is a real find for designers who decorate the interior in ethnic style. The flower looks attractive and does not require special attention.
Dracaena Sander in Feng Shui practice
This type of indoor bamboo can look very exotic, because it fits well into oriental interiors and it is not surprising that magical properties are attributed to it. It is believed that a red or yellow ribbon helps to turn a plant into a talisman. Figurines of various animals such as elephants and dogs enhance the effect. In the practice of Feng Shui, special attention is paid to the number of stems of Sander's dracaena. Therefore, before growing bamboo as a talisman, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the symbolism. It is believed that the number of plants must necessarily be odd. For example, three stems in one pot or vase means good luck, seven - a wish for he alth, and five - we alth.
How to care for indoor bamboo in water
Dracaena sander is usually sold as a single stem, the lower part of which is placed in a flask with liquid. This plant is considered one-day, because most often it is simply put in a vase of water and forgotten. There, the flower builds up the root mass and it seems that it doesn’t need more. But flower growers who purchase a plant as an indoor plant are often concerned about the question of how to grow bamboo further so that it develops actively.and forked.
There are two answers to this question. First: leave for a while in water or hydrogel and start feeding with liquid fertilizers. The dose should be small, otherwise there is a high risk of burning the roots of the plant. It is advisable to add activated charcoal to the water and make sure that the dying leaves do not fall into the liquid, otherwise the flower may rot. If you do not feed bamboo, it will not develop, it will begin to turn yellow and may die, since there will not be enough minerals in the liquid for its growth. In such an environment, a flower can stay for about two years.
Growing in hydrogel
Hydrogel or aqua soil is a special substance that can retain water and gradually release it to the plant. Its difference is in the attractive appearance of the granules. They can be of various colors and look beautiful in a vase of flowers. But there are no special differences between using a hydrogel and growing dracaena in water. Granules can be sold ready-made - then you need to add water with fertilizer to them, and dry ones can simply be soaked in a solution. Plant care is simple: add water periodically, feed occasionally and replace the top layer of hydrogel when it dries.
Growing dracaena in a pot
The second option on how to grow bamboo is transplanting into the ground. The plant grows well in the ground and quickly acquires new leaves. In order to increase the number of branches, small cuts are made on the trunk next to sleeping buds. Two years after growing in water, the flower will still have totransplant, as it will begin to fade. The bamboo pot is selected in advance, focusing on the size of the root system. In a container that is too large, the chance of flooding the plant increases. Before planting bamboo in a pot, a thick layer of expanded clay or other drainage, such as pieces of foam, is placed on the bottom.
"Happy Bamboo" does not like direct sunlight, so the place for it is selected shaded, away from drafts. In bright light, the leaves may burn or they will begin to turn pale and fall off. The flower is able to grow without a source of daylight, in a room without windows, so it is well suited for landscaping office space. The plant is watered when the top layer of soil dries out by about 2 cm. The soil must not be allowed to dry out completely - then the dracaena may die. Humidity does not really matter, but the air temperature should not fall below +17 degrees. Dracaena leaves should be wiped regularly to remove dust.
How to properly transplant homemade bamboo
The soil is selected in advance. The best option would be a special substrate for palm trees and dracaena. Another option: mix part of the sod land with two parts of sand and peat. It is advisable to add a baking powder, such as perlite or vermiculite, to the soil. Every year the plant is transplanted into a larger pot. At the same time, the earthen lump cannot be disturbed, since the roots of dracaena are easily damaged, and the flower can get sick.
Propagation of "lucky bamboo"
The flower propagates easily. It is enough to cut off a stalk about 10 cm long from it, sprinkle the slices with activated charcoal or cinnamon and put in a glass of clean water. Roots will soon appear from dormant buds. To speed up the process, the lower part of the cutting can be powdered with root or hold the process for several hours in a solution with a growth stimulator. The optimum temperature for cutting Sander's dracaena is + 25-27 degrees. The plant can also be propagated by seeds, sowing them in a mixture of sand and peat. They can germinate up to six months.
Diseases and pests of homemade bamboo
The flower is quite resistant to pests and rarely gets sick. Most often it is damaged by spider mites or mealybugs. Disease prevention is quite simple. Store-bought bamboo should be inspected for pests and then bathed in a warm shower before growing. The new flower should be quarantined away from other houseplants for two weeks. If everything is in order and no larvae or suspicious spots have appeared on it, the flower is moved to a permanent place. With proper care, the plant develops a strong immune system and is able to fight pests on its own. If infection does occur, bamboo should be treated with special preparations and isolated from other flowers.
Of the diseases, the most common problem is trunk rot and yellowing of the leaves. These problems are related and may appear due to excessive waterlogging of the soil orhigh air humidity. A rotten flower can only be saved by cuttings. At the same time, the entire damaged part is cut off to he althy tissue, treated with an antifungal drug and sprinkled with activated charcoal. Another common problem is yellowing of the tips of the leaves. This happens because the air in the room is too dry. In such a case, daily spraying of the flower or a tray of wet pebbles helps. If the leaves have become too pale, it may be because the light is too bright. To the lack of light, the flower is quite patient. In the cold, bamboo leaves can wither and curl, therefore it is better to observe the recommended maintenance temperature - not lower than +17 degrees.
