What should you do when the leaves of water-grown lucky bamboo turn yellow? How do you fix it?

Lucky bamboo is a very easy plant to grow indoors; simply place it in water and change the water regularly and it will survive, and it can also tolerate low-light environments, but it is prone to yellow leaves or root rot, so a certain amount of growing skill is needed when cultivating it. So what should you do when the leaves of water-grown lucky bamboo turn yellow? How do you fix it?

Causes of yellowing leaves in water-grown lucky bamboo

1. Check the water quality, mainly to see whether the roots are fresh. If the roots have rotted due to water quality problems, switch to cooled boiled water.

2. Check the lighting conditions of the location. If the light is too dim, the spot is stuffy and poorly ventilated, or the air is dry, all of these can cause the leaves to turn yellow; but if the location receives too much light, it can likewise cause the leaves to turn yellow and lose their luster.

Solutions for yellowing leaves in water-grown lucky bamboo

1. Light

If the cause is light, first cut off the yellow leaves, and cut off any rotted roots as well, then create a clean, moderately warm, cool, humid environment with good indirect light for it. If the root rot is caused by unclean water, first cut off the yellow leaves; when the symptoms are not serious, it is best to change the water frequently and place it in a ventilated spot with fairly ample sunlight for restorative care; when the symptoms are serious, appropriately spray pesticide or add a small amount of fungicide to the water tray.

Temperature

It is an evergreen woody plant that likes high temperatures and high humidity, and also tolerates shade and waterlogging, with a certain cold resistance. When the winter temperature drops below 10°C, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.

When kept indoors for ornamental purposes, generally no nutrients are added to the soaking water of lucky bamboo, to prevent the stem nodes from rotting. It is best to grow it in overnight tap water or cooled boiled water, and it can be changed once every 10 to 15 days, or once every 5 to 7 days in summer, but each time only pour out half and add a new half; it is not advisable to change all of it, otherwise the roots will not be able to adapt. If you want water-grown lucky bamboo to keep growing, you can add a small amount of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution to the soaking water, with the concentration controlled at about 0.1%, changing it once every half month; the fertilizer solution can also be sprayed on the leaf surface. When it grows many new shoots, promptly cut off diseased shoots and insect-infested shoots, otherwise it will harm the whole pot of lucky bamboo; for weak shoots and “bully shoots”, etc., giving appropriate thinning is also very necessary, provided it does not affect the overall shape and ornamental value of the lucky bamboo. It adds a quiet, warm and happy atmosphere.

Humidity

Lucky bamboo originated in the Canary Islands and the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, and is now widely introduced and cultivated in China. It likes high temperatures and high humidity, has no strict requirements for light, and likes light but also tolerates shade. It is suitable for growing in well-drained sandy loam. The optimum growing temperature is 20—30°C, and the overwintering temperature is 10°C.

Propagation method

Lucky bamboo is propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are mostly taken at the same time as shaping and pruning. As lucky bamboo that has grown for many years gets taller, the leaves at the base of the stem often fall off and the plant shape deteriorates; in the growing season, the stem can be cut into 5—10 cm sections as cuttings and inserted into vermiculite or river sand, and they will generally take root and sprout in 1—2 weeks.

Soil

For potted lucky bamboo, you can use equal parts leaf mold, garden soil and river sand mixed together for planting, or use coconut coir and leaf mold plus a small amount of base fertilizer as the growing medium. In terms of care, the key is to manage humidity and temperature well. During the growing season, keep the pot soil moist and frequently spray water on the leaves to maintain fairly high environmental humidity; too dry will make the leaf tips wither; in winter the pot soil should not be too damp, but the leaves should still be sprayed frequently, and at the same time pay attention to cold protection so that the leaves do not turn yellow, shrivel and even fall off. In the vigorous growing months of 5—9, apply liquid fertilizer or granular compound fertilizer 2—3 times a month to keep the leaves green and glossy. It has no strict requirements for light and is suitable for growing in bright indirect light; avoid direct scorching sun; if exposed to strong sun or dryness, the leaf surface will become rough and scorched, lacking luster, reducing its ornamental value.