Indoor bamboo most often refers to the Dracaena sanderiana plant. Paradoxically, this plant has nothing in common with real bamboo, other than a similar appearance. This plant is also known as Lucky Bamboo, Chinese Bamboo, and Dragon Tree. These names are not without reason. The Chinese hold it in high regard, believing it to possess magical powers. Feng shui places a special emphasis on this species of dracaena. According to Taoist teachings, it is a symbol of happiness, good fortune, and prosperity.
Besides its exotic appearance and magical properties, the plant possesses another invaluable quality: its ease of care. By following simple care recommendations, even a novice gardener can manage its cultivation.
Characteristics of bamboo and species diversity
Dracaena sanderiana is an evergreen herbaceous perennial belonging to the genus Dracaena, family Asparagus. The flower's native habitat is considered to be the hot African tropics. In the wild, the plant reaches several meters in height. Indoors, it grows no more than 70-80 cm.
The stems closely resemble those of real bamboo. They are bare and segmented. The stems are a vibrant light green. Occasionally, dracaenas with dark green stems can be found.
The leaves are lanceolate, reaching 25 cm in length and 3 cm in width. The blades have a dense texture. The surface is glossy, as if coated with a thick layer of varnish. Dracaenas with light green stems have leaves of the same color. Rare dark green varieties have bicolor leaves: white and yellow longitudinal stripes on a dark green background.
It may seem incredible, but lucky bamboo is a flowering plant. Even experienced gardeners find it difficult to imagine bamboo blooming, as it happens extremely rarely. Only once in its life does it produce a stalk of small white flowers, gathered in panicles. Witnesses of this rare event note the pleasant fragrance emanating from the flowers. Unfortunately, flowering does not benefit the dracaena. Typically, it dies afterward.
Houseplants are actively used by designers as decorative elements. They blend harmoniously into the interiors of both a cool office and a cozy bedroom. The plant's stem is often given a spiral or other unusual shape to enhance its decorative value.
The secrets and challenges of caring for indoor bamboo at home
Depending on whether the plant is grown in soil or water, there are two different care options for Dracaena sanderiana. Furthermore, this species has a mild dormant period, which begins in mid-autumn and continues until spring. Dracaena care during the dormant period and the growing season differ.
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Bamboo can be grown in water. This support promotes rapid and harmonious growth. Container size isn't critical for bamboo. However, it looks most impressive in clear vases or glasses. For added decorative effect, several plants can be placed in a glass vase, tied together with ribbon in a contrasting color.
Place a few pebbles in the bottom of the pot. Wash them thoroughly first, then boil them. Remove the old soil from the bamboo, and rinse the roots. Growing in water is only suitable for healthy plants. If root rot is detected in the dracaena, water will only promote its rapid development. Place healthy bamboo on the pebbles and water it.
Only soft water should be used for growing. Distilled or settled rainwater can be used. Do not use household water, even if it has been filtered.
Bamboo can also be grown in hydrogel. Fine granules are preferred. The plant is placed in the hydrogel and covered with water. Fresh water should be added periodically. Fertilizer should be added every six months.
Planting in the ground
Dracaena isn't picky about soil. Its only requirement is good air circulation. Therefore, the plant can be grown even in general-purpose soil. You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing the following ingredients:
- turf soil – ½ part;
- leaf soil – ¼ part;
- peat – ¼ part.
Particular attention should be paid to the flowerpot. The thickness and height of the bamboo stem directly depend on the pot's capacity. Large tubs are used for growing giant plants, while bamboo, which grows as a neat bush, should be selected in a smaller container.
Young flowers are repotted annually, while mature plants are repotted every 2-4 years. When repotting, the plant is placed in a larger pot.
Proper watering
Growing flowers requires proper watering. Improper watering can contribute to the development of plant diseases.
Watering frequency depends on the width of the leaf blades. Dracaena with wide leaves should be watered every two days. Plants with narrow leaves should be watered twice a week. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering. The amount of water needed can be calculated based on the height of the bamboo.
Dracaenas grown in a water-based substrate are watered as needed. It's important to keep the plant's roots constantly covered with water. Water the plant with soft water. Rainwater is preferred.
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The flower loves plenty of bright light. It will benefit from basking in the soft rays of the morning and afternoon sun. However, it should be protected from the intense midday sun.
It's best to place pots on east- and west-facing windowsills. South-facing windowsills will require shade, especially during peak sun hours.
Mature bamboo tolerates partial shade well, so it can be placed on the floor, cabinets, or tables close to a light source. In summer, the pot can be moved outdoors. However, it must be protected from direct sunlight, possible precipitation, and drafts.
Top dressing
Bamboo is in dire need of fertilizer and responds better to it in liquid form.
Experts differ on the frequency of fertilizing dracaenas grown in soil. Some recommend fertilizing every 2-3 weeks, while others recommend every 2 months. The plant's condition should be a guide; simply observing it is sufficient. Fertilize according to the instructions. If the bamboo begins to turn yellow or shed leaves after fertilizing, fertilize less frequently.
Temperature and humidity
The flower is kept at room temperature. During the warm season, this ranges from 22°C to 26°C. During cold periods, it should be kept at 18-20°C. Babouk will thrive at 30°C, but not at temperatures below 18°C. This plant, native to warm climates, does not tolerate cold well, so it is not recommended to place it in a draft or near an air conditioner.
Dracaena is undemanding when it comes to humidity. It thrives even in low humidity conditions. However, experienced gardeners still recommend misting the bamboo a couple of times a week and even placing it under a warm shower in the summer, covering the soil with plastic wrap.
Spraying and wiping the leaves is not only a way to increase humidity but also a hygiene measure, which is essential when growing any houseplant. Foliar hygiene improves metabolic processes and helps prevent pest infestations.
Trimming
Bamboo requires artificial shaping. Without it, it looks overgrown and unkempt. Proper pruning involves the following steps:
- Trimming dead wood.
- Removal of basal stems.
- Determining the desired stem height and cutting it above the branching point.
- Removing excess stem shoots.
- Removing too thin shoots to improve decorativeness.
Diseases and pests
Most often, dracaena becomes a victim of the following diseases and pests:
| Definition | Symptoms | Treatment methods |
|---|---|---|
| Fungal rot | Dark spots on leaves | Fungicide treatment |
| Nutritional deficiencies | Slow growth, yellowing of stems and/or leaves | Proper organization of the introduction of supplementary feeding |
| Hypothermia | Darkening of the plates, which is accompanied by loss of turgor and leaf fall | Moving to a room with an optimal air temperature for the flower |
| Spider mite | Cobwebs on leaves | Insecticide treatment |
| Aphid | Stickiness of leaf blades |
Gardeners often encounter yellowing plant leaves. This yellowing can be caused by a number of reasons, including the following:
- over-fertilization;
- lack of moisture and/or light;
- absence or too thin drainage layer;
- exposure to drafts;
- unsuitable water for irrigation.
Yellowing can also be caused by natural factors. Bamboo leaves can turn yellow and fall off as part of the natural leaf renewal process.
Methods of propagating indoor plants
Most gardeners propagate indoor bamboo by cuttings. This is the most effective method. New specimens can also be obtained from suckers, apical shoots, and dracaena seeds.
By cuttings
Propagation by cuttings involves the following steps:
- The stem is cut from the mother bush.
- The cut stem is divided into several pieces (the number of pieces corresponds to the number of plants to be grown). It is very important that each piece contains a growing point.
Cuttings - The cut areas are sealed with wax.
- Pieces of stem are placed in a container with water.
- When full roots appear, the bamboo is planted in the soil.
Cuttings are the fastest way to propagate this plant.
Children
If you notice a visible bud on the rhizome during replanting, you can use it to grow a new flower. To do this, carefully separate the offspring from the mother plant. Experts recommend using sharp tools, as breaking off the offspring can damage not only the offspring but also the roots of the mother plant.
Propagation by buds is certainly the simplest method. However, its major drawback is that the plant rarely produces offspring.
Apical shoots
You can grow a new dracaena from a apical shoot. To do this, cut a shoot from the mother plant and place it in a container of water. Seal the cut with wax. The mother plant must be at least 3-4 years old. The rooting process can take quite some time.
Seeds
Propagating Dracaena sanderiana from seeds indoors is possible, but extremely difficult. The seeds of this species have a very poor germination rate. Even if a gardener succeeds in germinating the seeds, they will face the challenge of maintaining a constant temperature for six months.
Furthermore, seedlings require strictly limited daylight hours and a certain level of air humidity. Dracaena propagation by seed is used only by breeders seeking to obtain large numbers of new plants.
You may be interested in:The magical properties of bamboo
The flower is often called Chinese Bamboo. It received this name due to the reverence it receives in China. The Chinese consider it a lucky plant, bringing its owner health, good fortune, and financial well-being.
The magical properties of bamboo change direction depending on the number of stems on the bush:
- 3 stems brings good luck in all endeavors;
- 5 stems attract love;
- 7 stems give their owner precious health.
For the plant's magic to work, simply buying bamboo isn't enough. It also needs to be positioned correctly.
According to the Taoist practice of Feng Shui, the plant should be placed in the southeast corner of the home. The purpose of the room also plays a role. For example, to attract love and health, the flower is placed in the bedroom, while for financial success, it is placed in the study or on the desk.
A porcelain three-legged frog with a coin in its mouth can enhance bamboo magic. However, it should be placed at the bottom, as the higher the frog is placed, the greater the risk of its magic backfiring. Bamboo is also grown in Chinese vases with images of sacred animals to enhance its magical potency.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Lucky bamboo is a unique indoor plant. It combines exotic appearance, low maintenance, and a touch of white magic, which the plant generously bestows upon its owner.
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