GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Indoor Plants

The (Nearly) Perfect Indoor Plant

Lucky Bamboo (not a bamboo at all but Dracaena sanderana) is nearly the perfect plant. It does not ask for much. It lives in water, so you just add water to the pot to keep the level up. The pot or vase should be at least 2" deep; add rocks or glass to support the stalks. You don't have to worry about watering it if you go on vacation (unless for a long period of time - then put it in a big jug of water until you get back). You do have to clean out the pot occasionally. Lucky Bamboo sits happily under fluorescent lights, in a north or east window, or five or more feet back from a south or west window. AND it is reputed to attract good fortune!

Once cut, the stalks will not grow; only the leaves continue to grow.

How do they get Lucky Bamboo to spiral? Growers take the Lucky Bamboo plant before they cut the stalks and lay the plant on its side. The plant's natural desire to grow towards the sun makes it curve upward. For the next 18 months, the grower twists the plant slowly allowing it to spiral. Once the plant reaches the desired number of spirals (usually two), the grower cuts the top off the stalks, which begins the leaf-growing process.

Note that I said "nearly" perfect. Lucky Bamboo stalks will sometimes turn yellow, then black. If you see this start to happen, pull that stalk out, discard it, clean out the pot, and rinse off the other stalks that were in the pot with it. The cause of this problem can be either bacterial or fungal. Lucky Bamboo does not like to be either cold or too hot (over 90o F). It does not like to be overfertilized, so use the specially formulated Lucky Bamboo Fertilizer or use your own diluted to quarter-strength. Use ANY fertilizer sparingly. If you overfertilize or have too much fluoride in the water, the leaf tips will turn brown. I have also seen spider mites on Lucky Bamboo, which are easily treated.

At Sky we have pre-made arrangements with 3 stalks (for Happiness), or you can make your own arrangements with our straight and spiral stalks. Bring good fortune to yourself, a friend or relative, a co-worker, a teacher... it's nearly perfect!

By Mary Ann Greco
Skylights Autumn 2007 Vol 22, No. 3

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