Expert: Will Creed - 7/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have a Lucky Bamboo that just LOVES my office (no windows) and is doing
very well.  It has gotten so tall now that it is a little top heavy and needs to be
repotted. I did this within the last month, but I don't think I planted it deep
enough in the gravel to give it the stability I think it needs. How deep in the
gravel should it be?  I also noticed that some of the roots are orange; is this
normal?  I just read that cuttings can be taken from this bamboo. I wouldn't
mind doing that but I'm nervous, I don't want to kill it. Can you tell me how to
do this?  Using scissors ok vs. using "a sharp knife"?   Thanks much!!

ANSWER: Hi Beth,

I do recommend that you prune back your top heavy lucky bamboo. Pruning will help more than the potting. You can prune almost anywhere along the stems. The cuttings can be rooted in water. Use sharp scissors or a sharp knife to make a clean cut at any angle. It is pretty hard to go wrong, so take a deep breath and just do it!

When you pot up lucky bamboo, use a small pot and do not put gravel or any other drainage material in the bottom of the pot. That is an outdated practice that has been discredited. Once the lucky bamboo have been cut back, they will no longer be so top-heavy.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Should lucky bamboo be potted in gravel or soil?  I've always seen them in
gravel.  What about the orange roots... normal?
Thanks again! :)

Answer
Hi Beth,

I think I misunderstood what you meant when you said "repotted." I had assumed you were moving your rooted cuttings from water and gravel to a pot with soil. In fact, that is the best long-range solution for lucky bamboo as they cannot live in plain water and gravel for an extended period of time.

The gravel or stones or pebbles that are typically found in the vases of water are there mostly for decorative purposes and to a lesser degree to help keep the stems vertical. If you decide to keep your lucky bamboo in water, then it does not matter how deep the gravel and water is as long as the roots are always covered with water. However, deeper gravel will supply greater support for top-heavy stems.

The orange stems are normal and heavy.

Regards,
Will Creed