Growing Lucky Bamboo

The lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is quite the rage of the modern world. Not just because it looks like the bamboo and is associated with good fortune. But also because it is low maintenance and is relatively easy to grow. Place the stems in water; keep them out of direct sunlight; clean the water every two weeks or so, and voila! Your lucky bamboo is a happy camper. Occasionally add a diluted liquid fertilizer to energize.

To propagate your lucky bamboo, here are some easy tips. Cut the bottom to the preferred length. It will root again in about two months in warm weather. You can also clean cut the bamboo stalks from the top. Usually the top two or three joints will sprout again in three months in the summer.

You can even create your own shaped bamboo stems. This process is a little tricky and takes an average of 1.5 years for a single curl. Lay the stems on a long table, cover three sides in the dark, and leave one side exposed to the light. The stems will grow naturally towards the light. Rotate the stems periodically. And in time, you will begin to see the curl.

And with a collection of stems, you can create as many shapes in as many numbers as you wish.