[GhostUser]

Around 2 weeks ago I bought a bamboo (I guess you would call it a "stalk"?) at the flea market. Its a curly piece, better cool looking and I would like to grow it, and possibly go back and get some other ways of different sizes and shapes. Does anyone have any tips to keep it alive? When I first got it, it had a few roots and 2 leaves on top. I had it in a vase of water with plant food and now it has 4 leaves and lots of roots, so I moved it to a pot outside. I am not sure what I should do with it to keep it alive. Like where to keep it, how much lightc/shade it needs or what temperature it will thrive with. Has anyone ever kept bamboo that could help me out? I tried looking it up and I pretty much only learned that if it turns yellow you are drowning it.

 

[Keelin]

I've had a small bamboo stalk for about 2 years now, and it's thriving... I keep it in a small glass pot of gravel, which I add maintain at a several-inch deep layer of water (never covering the surface of the gravel!). Indirect sunlight seems to be best. Room temperature has never caused it any troubles, even with the difference between winter/summer indoor temperatures. In fact, I think it does best in winter? So perhaps summer temps are a bit high for it (or else it's just getting a bit much sunlight).<br><br><br><br>
Hopefully that helps <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Dark_Dicentra]

I buy this type of liquid called "Green Green" and it really helps the plant. You can purchase it at a Fareast Treasures store. I'm not sure where else to get it, though.

 

[GhostUser]

I took my bamboo out of water because the bottom was getting really yellow and soggy, so I moved it to a pot of soil. Do you think it will be okay there?

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Keelin</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I've had a small bamboo stalk for about 2 years now, and it's thriving... I keep it in a small glass pot of gravel, which I add maintain at a several-inch deep layer of water (never covering the surface of the gravel!). Indirect sunlight seems to be best. Room temperature has never caused it any troubles, even with the difference between winter/summer indoor temperatures. In fact, I think it does best in winter? So perhaps summer temps are a bit high for it (or else it's just getting a bit much sunlight).<br><br><br><br>
Hopefully that helps <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></div>
</div>
<br>
Thanks! I was worried about the room temp thing<br><br><br><br>
Dark_Dicentra, I will look for that "Green Green" Stuff!

 

[skanky]

Bamboo needs good drainage, regular water, and lots of sun.<br><br><br><br>
My advice for potting bamboo: the bottom layer should be rocky/sandy, topped with a compost/top soil mix. Top that with some peat moss. A little water every morning in the summer months should be the only care you'll need to give it.

 

[Sauteedbeans]

Bamboo needs water. A lot of people in my office have bamboo on their desk and they only get artificial light (not near any windows) They all do well.

 

[Bits]

Is it lucky bamboo? like this type of thing...<a href="http://www.sofresh.co.uk/dataproduct/large/PF12.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.sofresh.co.uk/dataproduct/large/PF12.jpg</a><br><br>
If so, i have two stalks of it, one ive had for about a year & the other i just got recently.I keep them both in about an inch of water in a vase on the window ledge & they are doing great.If that's not the type of bamboo you've got, then i have no idea how to look after it lol <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:">

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Bits</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Is it lucky bamboo? like this type of thing...<a href="http://www.sofresh.co.uk/dataproduct/large/PF12.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.sofresh.co.uk/dataproduct/large/PF12.jpg</a><br><br>
If so, i have two stalks of it, one ive had for about a year & the other i just got recently.I keep them both in about an inch of water in a vase on the window ledge & they are doing great.If that's not the type of bamboo you've got, then i have no idea how to look after it lol <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:"></div>
</div>
<br>
Yes! Thats the type I have!

 

[GhostUser]

Everyone says they do good in a bit of water, I dont understand why mine didn't. the bottom of the plant (like the bottom inch) got yellow and soggy and like the "skin" (im sorry I dont know what the term for that should be) almost came off.

 

[Bits]

Hmm, thats never happened to mine....maybe you could just put a little dribble of water in a vase, just so the roots are touching it? that might stop the stalk getting soggy <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Bits]

Oooh i just found this site <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Lucky-Bamboo" target="_blank">http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Lucky-Bamboo</a><br><br>
maybe it can help you...it suggests changing the water every week to prevent the stalk rotting <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[GhostUser]

Thanks. So I should dig it up out of its pot and put it back into a vase?

 

[Bits]

Ummm.....i think that site said you can plant it or leave it in water...so whatever your preference i guess. Mine are in water because that's how they were sold, i didn't realise you could plant them. If yours is doing better in soil, then it's probably best you leave it there i'd imagine. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[GhostUser]

ok thankies <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Brandon]

<span style="color:#008000;">Tip: If you own a cat, keep your bamboo out of its reach, unless you like the fashionably-chewed look that a cat's teeth can give the leaves.<br><br><br><br>
Not that I'd know or anything. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></span>

 

[GhostUser]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>~Brandon</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><span style="color:#008000;">Tip: If you own a cat, keep your bamboo out of its reach, unless you like the fashionably-chewed look that a cat's teeth can give the leaves.<br><br><br><br>
Not that I'd know or anything. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""></span></div>
</div>
<br>
Haha! Yes we have to keep all plants away from kitties!

 

[karenlovessnow]

My cat ate mine....now I have one that I keep at work!

 

[GhostUser]

Mine died, it turned all yellow

 

[Rockell]

Lucky bamboo isn't actually a species of bamboo, but it is similar. My dad owns a bamboo business, and he has people asking all the time for lucky bamboo. They're a little different. Not trying to rain on your parade, I just thought you might want to know. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pibo.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="ibo:"><br><br><br><br>
Oh, and I have some lucky bamboo growing in my house. I just keep the stalks in a really big vase with fresh water. No dirt, just some stones in the bottom of the vase. I keep it in a room where it doesn't get too much sun. I've never had the bottom get too soggy, and I'm not sure what could be causing that.