How Often Should You Change the Water for Lucky Bamboo? Master the Correct Water-Changing Frequency
The lucky bamboo plant stands tall and graceful, fresh and green, with leaves that spread out freely and an exceptionally elegant appearance. Its stems and leaves closely resemble emerald bamboo, staying green through winter and summer. If grown in water in a transparent glass bottle (or container), with old and new roots alternating yellow and white in the clear water and green reflections rippling, it displays vibrant vitality, which is why it is so well loved. Now let us take a look at how often the water for lucky bamboo should be changed!
How Often Should You Change the Water for Lucky Bamboo?
When lucky bamboo is grown in water, it is generally changed to clean fresh water every 2 to 3 days, and a few small pieces of charcoal can be added to prevent rot. If the water is changed too frequently, the leaves of lucky bamboo tend to turn yellow. When the water is low, be sure to add water to replenish oxygen. If the water quality deteriorates, it will affect the growth of the lucky bamboo stems and cause the base to rot; at this point, the water should be changed promptly and the rotted part of the base cut off. Changing the water for lucky bamboo also has a certain relationship with temperature: when the temperature is lower, change the water once every 7 to 10 days, and during the peak growth seasons of spring and autumn, change the water once every 3 to 5 days.
How Do You Care for Lucky Bamboo Grown in Water?
1. Temperature: The suitable temperature for lucky bamboo is 16 to 26 degrees. Cold easily causes the plant to die, so in winter do not place it in colder places such as balconies or beside windows when growing it, and by no means let the water freeze. Anti-freeze measures can be taken when necessary.
2. Light: Lucky bamboo does not have high light requirements, but to avoid the leaves turning yellow, it should usually be placed in a ventilated and bright indoor spot. In summer it needs shading; too strong light will make the leaves of lucky bamboo turn yellow, so placing it on a north-facing balcony or in light shade is better.
3. Changing water: When growing lucky bamboo in water, well water is best. If using tap water, first store it in a container for one day. The water must be kept clean and fresh; do not use dirty water, hard water, or water mixed with oil, otherwise the roots rot easily.
4. Fertilizing: In spring and autumn, apply a compound fertilizer once a month for lucky bamboo, but do not fertilize too much. You can choose professional fertilizer at a flower market, or simply drip a few drops of dissolved vitamin C1 into the water when adding it.
Precautions for Growing Lucky Bamboo in Water
1. Before putting lucky bamboo into the bottle, remove the leaves from the base of the cuttings and use a sharp knife to cut the base into a slanted opening. The cut should be smooth to increase the area for absorbing water and nutrients.
2. After lucky bamboo has rooted, it is not suitable to change the water; after the water evaporates, only add water promptly. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered stems. The added water is best well water, otherwise the roots rot easily.
3. To prevent leggy growth when growing lucky bamboo in water, do not apply chemical fertilizer. It is best to inject a few drops of brandy into the bottle about every 3 weeks, and add a small amount of nutrient solution.
4. Lucky bamboo cultivation should avoid wind, so do not place it beside a television or in places where an air conditioner or electric fan often blows, to avoid the leaf tips and leaf edges drying up.