Does anyone know about 'Lucky Bamboo'?

[nykmedia]

I got a lovely 'Lucky Bamboo' set (Dracaena sanderiana) in a present at Christmas and it is growing nicely in its pot. The trouble is that now the shoots are getting bigger (about 5" each shoot) some of the smaller stalks seem to be getting crushed and are dying. Have included a piccie here for you to see... this was taken in January, so the shoots are about three times that size now. Do I leave all of the stalks tied together like that in the tiny bowl, or do I split it all up? Any helpful suggestions would be gratefully received.

[damian_steele]

http://www.chiff.com/a/lucky-bamboo.htm

Looks like you should do the same as for any other plant - repot as necessary.

BTW, it's not actually a bamboo, apparently.

[nykmedia]

Thanks for that. I do know it isn't real bamboo, it's a Dracaena sanderiana (Got that off CHIFF earlier when I did a search for Lucky Bamboo) but none of them say if it's ok to split them all up into individuals. Guess there could be some more listings coming up if they keep growing at this rate LOL

[bluebedouin]

I posted a link to your thread here http://www.fogboundworkshop.co.uk/ho...php?topic=15.0 There has been a reply,not sure if it will help.

[nykmedia]

I posted a link to your thread here http://www.fogboundworkshop.co.uk/ho...php?topic=15.0 There has been a reply,not sure if it will help.

I've had a look at the replies and have now untied the poor little plants and found they have fresh shoots trying to grow where they had been pressed together. There's also a massive root system! I've placed the whole lot into a larger based pot and, tomorrow, will carefully split them all up. They do seem to grow fairly quickly, so if anyone reads about a lucky bamboo plantation sprouting out through the kitchen of a Wigtown cottage, don't panic, it will be me experimenting with John Innes no. 3 compost

[Cocksparrer]

My daughter brought me lucky bamboo a few years back, thing is they werent lucky they ended up dead. No idea why.

[nykmedia]

My daughter brought me lucky bamboo a few years back, thing is they werent lucky they ended up dead. No idea why.

Mine are mostly happy little chappies now that I have untied them and keep them well watered. At the rate they are growing, I may well have a few extras listed in eBid soon LOL

[heartscup]

Hi,

We used to sell the Lucky Bamboo. We have told people that the first thing you seriously do not want to do is grow them on a window seal. The temperatures during the cooler months will kill them. THAT is where a LOT of people make their mistakes.

As with any root system, they need room to grow. We also were selling along with the plants, containers and marbles. Flat or round, does not matter. They help keep the plants upright as well as add space between the rooting system.

For those that have them and they are working great without changing the water, that is fine. Another thing that we told people was to change the water once in a while. Algea will build up in some instances and too much is not good.

One last thing. If at anytime anyone ever thinks about trying to plant them in soil, acclimate them to it. Do not just plant them in soil and hope they will grow. They are used to being in water and you have to slowly acclimate them to accept soil.

Hope some of this is helpful and Good Luck on your plants.

HC