Will lucky bamboo freeze to death in winter?
Lucky bamboo likes a warm environment, with an ideal temperature of 18°C to 24°C, and it can grow all year round. Below 13°C the plant goes dormant and stops growing. When the temperature is too low, because the roots cannot absorb enough water, yellow-brown patches appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins. The minimum winter temperature must stay above 10°C
Lucky bamboo likes a warm environment, with an ideal temperature of 18°C to 24°C, and it can grow all year round. Below 13°C the plant goes dormant and stops growing. When the temperature is too low, because the roots cannot absorb enough water, yellow-brown patches appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins. The minimum winter temperature must stay above 10°C; below this temperature the plant will most likely die. So in winter you must pay close attention to the temperature, otherwise lucky bamboo really will freeze to death!
How to care for lucky bamboo in winter really does require knowing certain methods. But if you do not know how to grow it, you will run into the problem of lucky bamboo being on the verge of death. Below we will tell you how to bring your lucky bamboo "back from the dead."
Lucky bamboo Dracaena sanderiana lucky bamboo profile: how to grow lucky bamboo / how to propagate lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo cardLucky bamboo Dracaena sanderiana
How to grow lucky bamboo and points to note Introduction to lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo, also known as lily bamboo and fortune bamboo, is a foliage flower deeply loved by people in recent years. Lucky bamboo can be grown in water or in pots. By comparison, potted plants live longer, grow more vigorously and are easier to manage than water-grown ones. Lucky bamboo is a shade-loving plant and rarely blooms; when it does bloom, it means good luck will come to you. It is a vigorous, easy grower with upright stems and deep green leaves, evergreen in winter and summer. Whether potted, or with stems cut for vase display, or processed into "fortune bamboo" or "curved bamboo," it all looks upright and elegant, with slender stems and leaves, soft and graceful, with a free and easy posture full of bamboo charm and exceptionally high ornamental value. The beauty of lucky bamboo is inseparable from its auspicious name. It has slender, graceful leaves and emerald green foliage, and its stem nodes show features resembling bamboo nodes, though it is not true bamboo. China has the blessing "when flowers bloom, prosperity comes; when bamboo is reported, peace prevails." Because lucky bamboo has slender stems and leaves, is soft and graceful, and is full of bamboo charm, it is much loved by people. Lucky bamboo is easy to manage, has few pests and diseases, and is easy to cultivate, and it symbolizes "great fortune and great profit."
Lucky bamboo is a tropical evergreen foliage flower. It likes a high-temperature, high-humidity growing environment, loves light but can tolerate shade, likes moisture but can tolerate drought, and can be kept indoors for a long time without deliberate care. As long as there is enough water, it will keep growing. It can be said to be a vigorous, easy-growing crop that generally grows normally without deliberate care. But in order to keep it full of vitality, proper care is very necessary. Lucky bamboo dreads cold and frost most of all. Generally, at a temperature of around zero degrees and placed outdoors, it will freeze to death. This is why it can be grown outdoors in greenhouses in southern China, while in the north it can only be grown indoors. At the same time, if it is exposed to strong direct light outdoors, it will grow slowly. Therefore, if it is to be grown in large quantities as a cash crop, it is necessary to set up posts and build a shed, cover the top with shade netting, and carry out reasonable fertilizer and water management, so that it can grow smoothly. The umbel has 3 to 10 flowers borne in the leaf axils or opposite the upper leaves, with 6 perianth segments, a bell-shaped corolla, and purple color. The berry is nearly spherical and black. Lucky bamboo is a perennial evergreen herb, with a plant height that can reach more than 1.5 to 2.5 m. For commercial and ornamental purposes, a cultivation height of 80 to 100 cm is suitable. It is mostly cultivated in gardens and nurseries, and also grows wild. It likes shady, damp conditions, has thick stems and leaves, and dark green leaves, and is mainly used as an ornamental plant. Lucky bamboo can be grown both in pots and in water.
Morphological characteristics of lucky bamboo
Evergreen subshrub-like plant. The plant height is more than 1 m; the plant is slender, upright, with branches on the upper part. The rhizome runs horizontally and is nodular. Leaves alternate or nearly opposite, papery, long lanceolate, with obvious 3 to 7 main veins, short petioles, and deep green color. The umbel has 3 to 10 flowers borne in the leaf axils or opposite the upper leaves, with 6 perianth segments, a bell-shaped corolla, and purple color. The berry is nearly spherical and black. Lucky bamboo is a perennial evergreen herb, with a plant height that can reach more than 1.5 to 2.5 m. For commercial and ornamental purposes, a cultivation height of 80 to 100 cm is suitable. It is mostly cultivated in gardens and nurseries, and also grows wild. It likes shady, damp conditions, has thick stems and leaves, and dark green leaves, and is mainly used as an ornamental plant. Growing lucky bamboo has the advantages of high yield and high economic benefit. At present, the general market price can reach more than 3 to 5 yuan per plant, 18,000 to 25,000 plants can be planted per mu, and the annual output value per mu can reach 30,000 to 50,000 yuan. Cultivation of lucky bamboo begins in spring at the Awakening of Insects, and it can be harvested in mid-to-late December. This variety is easy to manage, and loose, fertile rice fields or sloping land can be chosen for cultivation.
Ecological habits of lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo likes shady, damp, high-temperature conditions, tolerates shade, waterlogging, and strong fertility, and has strong cold resistance; it likes a semi-shady environment. It is suitable for growing in well-drained sandy soil or semi-muddy sand and alluvial clay, with a suitable growing temperature of 20-28°C. It can tolerate a low temperature of 2-3°C, but in winter it must be protected from frost. The high-temperature, humid seasons of summer and autumn are very favorable for the growth of lucky bamboo and are its best growing period. It is not strict about light and is suitable for growing under bright scattered light. Too-strong light and exposure to the sun will cause the leaves to turn yellow, fade, and grow slowly. Therefore, when planting in the field, a shade net shed 1.7-1.8 m high should be built, with a shading rate of about 75%, to create a semi-shady, scattered-light environment. Especially from April to September, avoid direct strong light, exposure to the sun, or excessive drought; otherwise the leaf surface easily becomes rough, scorched, and weak-growing, and the leaves lose their luster, reducing ornamental value. During the growing season, the soil should always be kept moist, and water should often be sprayed or sprinkled on the leaf surface to increase air humidity; in case of heavy rain, the field water should be drained to prevent lodging. In winter, pay attention to cold protection and frost protection; below 10°C the leaves will turn yellow and wither and fall. At this time, the soil should be alternately dry and moist, but it should not be too dry or too wet, and watering should be reduced and fertilizing stopped.
Lucky bamboo is an evergreen small tree with upright stems, a delicate plant form, and thick stems that can reach more than 2 m in height. The leaves are long lanceolate and deep green, it grows vigorously, and it easily survives when grown in water. Its varieties include green leaf, green leaf with white edge (called silver edge), green leaf with yellow edge (called gold edge), and green leaf with silver center (called silver center). Green-leaf lucky bamboo is also called evergreen bamboo; its leaves are deep green and it grows vigorously, and it is relatively widely cultivated. It is generally mostly used for home vase display or potted care, especially the "pagoda-shaped" form that spread from Taiwan, China, also known as "fortune bamboo," which has high ornamental value and is quite popular in the international market.
Lucky bamboo is a vigorous, easy grower with upright stems and deep green leaves, evergreen in winter and summer. Whether potted, or with stems cut for vase display, or processed into "fortune bamboo" or "curved bamboo," it all looks upright and elegant, with slender stems and leaves, soft and graceful, with a free and easy posture full of bamboo charm and exceptionally high ornamental value.
Distribution area of lucky bamboo
Native to the Canary Islands and the tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It was introduced to China in large quantities in the late 1980s.
Propagation methods of lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo has strong growth and strong ability to root and sprout, and is often propagated by cuttings, which can be done throughout the year as long as the temperature is suitable. Generally, leafless stem segments are cut as cuttings, 5-10 cm long, preferably with 3 internodes, and inserted into a sand bed or semi-muddy sandy soil. In the south, in spring and autumn, roots and buds generally sprout in 25-30 days, and in 35 days they can be put into trays or transplanted to the field. Water cuttings can also root, and soilless cultivation is also possible. In recent years, various places in Guangdong have used top spike branches (that is, tender stems) cut into 20-25 cm and inserted directly into sandy loam or semi-muddy sand or alluvial clay fields; after careful care and cultivation, they can be cut for vase material by the Spring Festival of the same year. In areas south of Guangzhou, such as farmers in Haiyan Town, Taishan City, they insert them directly into the field in spring and autumn. It is also possible in October to December to use top spike branches or internode top seedlings or lateral bud top spikes cut into 15-20 cm cuttings and insert them into coarse sand or semi-muddy sand fields, burying 2 nodes in the soil, watering once a day, and keeping the soil moist; they generally root in 35-45 days. Spring cuttings are most suitable from late January (after Great Cold) to mid-to-late February (around Rain Water), and can be directly cut in the open field, generally rooting in 30-35 days. They can also be cut from mid-March to early April (Spring Equinox to Clear and Bright), and it is best to plant in late March, because during this period the temperature gradually rises and the humidity is suitable; after cutting, they can root in about 7-15 days, with a survival rate of 100%, and those managed well can be marketed in the same year.
Lucky bamboo has strong moisture and waterlogging tolerance. During the growing period, it is best to keep it moist, with a shallow water layer in the furrow. In high temperature and drought, water should be irrigated into the furrow and sprinkled to cool down and preserve moisture, so that the plants grow vigorously. Each time fertilizer is applied, a light watering should be given to promote fertilizer dissolution so that the roots can absorb nutrients quickly. In case of heavy or torrential rain, the field water should be drained, and fertilizer should not be applied, to prevent disease. Pay attention to typhoon strikes, reinforce the shade shed, and use bamboo poles to steady the plants to prevent lodging. When dry north winds blow in winter, the soil should be kept moist, and water should be sprinkled or irrigated into the furrow.
Potted care
Lucky bamboo can be potted in a mix of leaf mold, vegetable garden soil, and river sand, or coconut coir, leaf mold, coal cinder ash, and a small amount of chicken manure, peanut meal, and compound fertilizer can be mixed as the growing medium. It is suitable to plant 3-6 plants per pot. For plants that have survived cutting, the key is to master temperature and humidity well. During the growing season, the pot soil should always be kept moist; do not let the pot soil dry out. Especially in midsummer, water should often be sprayed on the leaf surface, because excessive dryness will cause the leaf tips and leaves to dry up. In winter, the pot soil should not be too wet, but the leaf surface should still be sprayed often, and cold and freeze protection measures should be taken to avoid the leaves turning yellow, shrinking, and falling off. Potted lucky bamboo should be repotted and have its soil changed every 2-3 years; apply a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer once every 20-25 days, keep the pot soil moist, and prevent the leaf tips from drying up. It is better to place it on a balcony facing south and away from the north. In spring and autumn, give it appropriately more light, 3-4 hours of light per day, to maintain the bright color of the leaves. In summer and autumn, shade it appropriately and spray water once a day to wash dust off the leaf surface, so that it grows more vigorously and the leaves are greener.
Field cultivation
Lucky bamboo has strong fertilizer tolerance and likes high nitrogen, high phosphorus, and high potassium. The principle of fertilization is light at first, heavy in the middle, and light at the end. For field planting, deep, fertile sandy loam or semi-muddy sandy soil can be chosen, and alluvial clay can also be chosen. First plow the soil and turn it deeply twice, then form beds for planting, with a bed width of 1.2-1.5 m, apply 75-100 kg of phosphate fertilizer per mu on the bed surface, with a furrow depth of 20-30 cm, a furrow bottom width of 40-50 cm, a row spacing of 23 cm, and a plant spacing of 16 cm. Generally, about 13,000-16,000 plants can be planted per mu.
When the plants have 7-8 roots and the roots are 5-6 cm long, apply a quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer once every 15 days during the seedling stage, with 15-17.5 kg of urea, 15 kg of potash fertilizer, and 25 kg of phosphate fertilizer per mu. Or apply 35-40 kg of compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N: 15, P: 15, K: 15), or 2,000 kg of decomposed human manure urine water fertilizer as a drench, to promote root growth and thick, strong leaves and stems. In the early growth stage, loosen the soil appropriately and remove weeds promptly. From April to July, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main type, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, applying a sulfur-based compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium 1-2 times a month, 40-50 kg per mu, to promote stem and leaf elongation and thickness. In May to June, peanut meal can be applied once, 40-50 kg per mu, which can be composted and drenched or crushed and broadcast, along with 50 kg of phosphate fertilizer. Or 600-800 kg of decomposed chicken manure. From August to September, topdressing can be applied as appropriate according to the growth of lucky bamboo, mainly compound fertilizer, with less nitrogen fertilizer, to prevent excessive leaf growth. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and foliar fertilizer should be increased. Spray foliar fertilizers such as 3% urea + 5% monopotassium phosphate + Green Prosper + plant protection hormone + Yunda-120 once every 10-15 days to promote thick stems, height growth, thick leaves, and dark green, bright leaf color.
Vase water culture
1. Before inserting into the bottle, remove the leaves at the base of the cutting and cut the base with a knife at a slant; the cut should be smooth to help absorb water and nutrients. Change the clean water once every 3-4 days, and do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. In about 15 days, lucky bamboo can grow silvery white fibrous roots.
2. After rooting, it is not suitable to change the water; only add water promptly after the water evaporates and decreases. Frequent water changes easily cause yellowing and withering of the leaves.
3. After lucky bamboo roots, apply a small amount of compound chemical fertilizer promptly, and the leaves will be glossy green and the branches thick. If no fertilizer is applied for a long time, the plant will grow thin and weak, and the leaves will easily turn yellow. But fertilizer must not be applied too much, to avoid "burning the roots" or causing excessive growth. In spring and autumn, apply compound chemical fertilizer once a month. According to the materials, to prevent excessive growth in water-grown lucky bamboo, 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, which can keep the leaves emerald green.
4. Do not place lucky bamboo next to a television or in places where air conditioners or electric fans often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf margins.
Variety classification of lucky bamboo
Today the more common lucky bamboo varieties are 4 kinds, namely golden-heart lucky bamboo, silver-heart lucky bamboo, silver-edge lucky bamboo, and golden-edge lucky bamboo. Different types have different characteristics and are suitable as decorations for different home styles.
Golden-heart lucky bamboo
The middle part of the plant has green-yellow or golden-yellow longitudinal stripes, which is rather special. The lucky bamboo plant is relatively thick and strong, and the leaves are dark green.
Silver-heart lucky bamboo
Unlike golden-heart lucky bamboo, the center of the leaf of this lucky bamboo has a silver-white longitudinal stripe.
Silver-edge lucky bamboo
The green leaf has a broad silver-white band, or border, at the edge, which is very obvious and eye-catching.
Golden-edge lucky bamboo
Together with silver-edge lucky bamboo, it forms a pair of sister varieties; the difference is that the border at the leaf edge is golden yellow.
Ornamental varieties
Fortune bamboo
Fortune bamboo is also called fortune pagoda, bamboo pagoda, and pagoda bamboo. It spread from Taiwan, China, has high ornamental value, and is quite popular in the market; it has now been popular for more than ten years. Because the cost of packaging and transportation is relatively high, exported fortune bamboo is mostly products of two to five layers.
Curved bamboo
Curved bamboo, also called turn-of-luck bamboo. This product is a new variety that only began to become popular in the last two or three years. It was invented and promoted by flower farmers in Haiyan Town, Taishan City, Guangdong Province, and requires a large amount of labor input during cultivation and processing, so its production cost is relatively high. However, because its shapes are varied (spiral, heart-shaped, figure-8-shaped, and so on), it has relatively high ornamental value after combination, and people hope that it can turn good luck around, so it is deeply loved by people. Its market share is above that of fortune bamboo, and it is currently the mainstream lucky bamboo product on the market. The most technically mature curved bamboo production area in the country is Haiyan Town, Taishan City, Guangdong Province.
Bamboo cage
Bamboo cage: during cultivation it is artificially woven into a cage shape, taking the meaning of wealth and lingering affection, pig cage entering water, and abundant sources of wealth. Generally, only after it has rooted in the tray and grown to a certain height are the lower bamboo leaves peeled off, retaining the leaves and buds of the top 20 cm-30 cm before it can be woven. Some people, seeking quick profit, use long branches that have just been planted and have not yet rooted to weave cages for sale, causing the top leaves to easily wither and turn yellow. This harms consumers and is truly not advisable.
Straight branches
For straight branches, the material is generally selected with a diameter of more than 0.8 cm, and different lengths are cut according to the requirements of different merchants. Multiple branches are tied into a bundle or inserted separately in a vase; the shape is vivid, and after the top buds of each branch open into leaves, it looks even more full of vitality, with a strong momentum of rising higher step by step.
Thousand-hand lucky tray
First, multiple lucky bamboo branches are planted in a tray in a regular pattern, and during cultivation they are artificially woven into a shape like Thousand-Hand Guanyin, meaning good fortune and auspiciousness.
Bamboo basket
Straight branches are used to tie the base of the basket, and two 7-shaped curved bamboo pieces are used as the basket handle; two O-shaped curved bamboo pieces can also be added for decoration. Of course, this kind of styling has no fixed format, and creative artistic shapes can be made according to various needs.
Vase
It is mainly tied from straight branches, with the middle left empty for flower arrangement, and curved bamboo can also be used as a foil. Some also weave straight branches into a vase-shaped bamboo cage.
Processing procedures for lucky bamboo
High-quality finished lucky bamboo products must go through multiple selections and be processed strictly according to each procedure.
Processing fortune bamboo (pagoda)
1. Remove the leaves from the raw bamboo harvested in the field and wash it in clean water.
2. Use scissors to cut the bamboo into branches, classify and bundle the strong bamboo stalks according to length, and carry out strict drug disinfection, sterilization, and mildew removal. This determines whether the bamboo stalks will deteriorate or die later.
3. Select high-quality bamboo stalks and put them into a greenhouse to sprout. During the sprouting process, the room temperature and humidity must be well controlled.
4. Carefully select the sprouted bamboo stalks and bundle and process them; for the same product, the buds are required to be of consistent length.
5. Care for the finished product, then package it for shipment from the factory.
Processing curved bamboo
1. Remove the leaves from the raw bamboo harvested in the field and wash it in clean water.
2. Use sharp scissors to cut the bamboo material, classify and bundle it according to the diameter and length of the bamboo material, generally 10 pieces per bundle (not absolute).
3. Carry out strict drug disinfection, sterilization, and mildew removal to ensure that the bamboo branches do not deteriorate.
4. Put the bamboo bundles into a greenhouse by category to sprout buds and roots. Pay attention to controlling the room temperature and humidity.
5. Care for the finished product, then package it for shipment from the factory.
Note: The processing procedures for other varieties are much the same as the above, but the procedure of drug disinfection, sterilization, and mildew removal absolutely cannot be omitted.
Cultivation techniques for lucky bamboo Soil culture
It likes shady, damp, high-temperature conditions, tolerates waterlogging, has strong fertilizer tolerance, and has strong cold resistance; it likes a semi-shady environment. It is suitable for growing in well-drained sandy soil or semi-muddy sand and alluvial clay, with a suitable growing temperature of 20-28°C. It can tolerate a low temperature of 2-3°C, but in winter it must be protected from frost. The high-temperature, humid seasons of summer and autumn are very favorable for the growth of lucky bamboo and are its best growing period. It is not strict about light and is suitable for growing under bright scattered light. Too-strong light and exposure to the sun will cause the leaves to turn yellow, fade, and grow slowly.
Therefore, when planting in the field, a shade net shed 1.7-1.8 m high should be built, with a shading rate of about 75%, to create a semi-shady, scattered-light environment. Especially from April to September, avoid direct strong light, exposure to the sun, or excessive drought; otherwise the leaf surface easily becomes rough, scorched, and weak-growing, and the leaves lose their luster, reducing ornamental value. During the growing season, the soil should always be kept moist, and water should often be sprayed or sprinkled on the leaf surface to increase air humidity; in case of heavy rain, the field water should be drained to prevent lodging. In winter, pay attention to cold protection and frost protection; below 10°C the leaves will turn yellow and wither and fall. At this time, the soil should be alternately dry and moist, but it should not be too dry or too wet, and watering should be reduced and fertilizing stopped.
Lucky bamboo has strong growth and strong ability to root and sprout, and is often propagated by cuttings, which can be done throughout the year as long as the temperature is suitable. Generally, leafless stem segments are cut as cuttings, 5-10 cm long, preferably with 3 internodes, and inserted into a sand bed or semi-muddy sandy soil. In the south, in spring and autumn, roots and buds generally sprout in 25-30 days, and in 35 days they can be put into trays or transplanted to the field.
Water cuttings
Water cuttings can also root, and soilless cultivation is also possible. In recent years, various places in Guangdong have used top spike branches (that is, tender stems) cut into 20-25
cm and inserted directly into sandy loam or semi-muddy sand or alluvial clay fields; after careful care and cultivation, they can be cut for vase material by the Spring Festival of the same year. In areas south of Guangzhou, such as farmers in Haiyan Town, Taishan City, they insert them directly into the field in spring and autumn. It is also possible in October to December to use top spike branches or internode top seedlings or lateral bud top spikes cut into 15-20 cm cuttings and insert them into coarse sand or semi-muddy sand fields, burying 2 nodes in the soil, watering once a day, and keeping the soil moist; they generally root in 35-45 days.
Spring cuttings are most suitable from late January (after Great Cold) to mid-to-late February (around Rain Water), and can be directly cut in the open field, generally rooting in 30-35 days. They can also be cut from mid-March to early April (Spring Equinox to Clear and Bright), and it is best to plant in late March, because during this period the temperature gradually rises and the humidity is suitable; after cutting, they can root in about 7-15 days, with a survival rate of 100%, and those managed well can be marketed in the same year.
Shading
Building a shade shed means covering with shade netting. Around the rice field, use wooden posts or cement stakes to build the frame. The wooden posts are required to be 2.4 m high and buried 0.4 m deep. If calculated at four wooden posts (or cement posts) per 20 sq m, about 30-35 wooden posts are needed per mu, and the top of the shed is tied tightly with iron wire or nylon rope. Then, at 10 bundles of plastic shade netting per mu (width 1.5 m/100 m, 55 yuan/bundle), cover it for shade, and tie it firmly all around with nylon rope.
Reasonable close planting
When preparing the land, the bed surface height is 15-20 cm, the bed surface width is 120-150 cm, and the furrow is 25 cm. Apply 30 loads of decomposed farmyard manure per mu, level it fully, then insert the seedlings. The planting specification is 8 x 5 cun or 6 x 5 cun, and more than 15,000-20,000 plants can be planted per mu. Generally, planting should not be too dense. The planting depth is best at 2.5-3.5 cm (that is, with seedlings of 4 nodes, inserting 2 nodes is enough), maintaining appropriate space for ventilation and light transmission.
Scientific fertilization
Lucky bamboo can grow on sloping land and semi-dry paddy fields. To accelerate its growth, shorten the production cycle, and improve economic benefit:
1. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: when inserting and planting, apply Golden Branch and Jade Leaf (rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, etc.) as a base fertilizer, then insert and plant.
2. Apply seedling fertilizer appropriately: 20 days after planting, the plants begin to send out new roots, and one application of manure water 30-40 loads/mu can be drenched. After 30-40 days, depending on the growth of the seedlings, apply a seedling-promoting fertilizer once, generally mainly compound fertilizer, 15-20 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, and cultivate soil after application. When the plants grow to 35-45 cm high, the nutrient requirement also increases, and this is the stage when the plants begin to grow vigorously. Therefore, topdressing at this stage should be heavy, with 25-30 kg of compound fertilizer and 10-15 kg of urea per mu being suitable. At the same time, foliar fertilizer can be sprayed in combination, using plant growth hormones such as Xinzhisu or Penshibao, to promote balanced growth, lush leaves and thick stems, and improve stress resistance.
Pest control
When growing lucky bamboo, pay attention to draining waterlogging on rainy days, preventing drought on dry days, and preventing frost on cold days. In case of drought, pay attention to running horse water to keep the field bed surface moist. In lucky bamboo fields covered with shade netting, adult Lepidoptera have difficulty flying in to lay eggs and reproduce, so there are also fewer pests. Only a small amount of stem borers were found, and no diseases were found. From cultivation in early March to harvest in mid-to-late December, spraying insecticide only 2 times is enough.
Cultivation essentials
1. Remove leaves from the base and cut a slanted opening: before putting into the vase, remove the leaves at the base of the cutting and use a sharp knife to cut the base into a slanted opening. The cut must be smooth to increase the area for absorbing water and nutrients. Change the clean water once every 3 to 4 days; a few small pieces of charcoal can be added for antisepsis. Do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. In about 15 days, silvery white fibrous roots can grow.
2. Change water to adding water: after rooting, 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 branches. The water added is best well water. If tap water is used, it should first be stored in a container for one day. The water should be kept clean and fresh; dirty water, hard water, or water mixed with oil cannot be used, otherwise the roots will easily rot.
3. Fertilize promptly: to prevent excessive growth in water-grown lucky bamboo, 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; you can also dissolve half an aspirin tablet crushed into powder or one VC tablet in 500 g of water, and drip a few drops in when adding water, which can keep the leaves emerald green (no need to do this after roots have grown).
4. Avoid wind: do not place lucky bamboo next to a television or in places where air conditioners or electric fans often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf margins.
Cultivation tips
In northern China, the growing season for lucky bamboo is from April to October. The pot soil should be kept moist, and a humic acid liquid fertilizer should be applied once every half month. In summer, if cared for outdoors, it should be shaded; too-strong light will make the leaves turn yellow, so placing it on a north-facing balcony or under light shade is better. When the climate is dry, pour water on the ground and leaves once to twice a day. From November to March of the following year, it should be cared for indoors, placed in front of a south-facing window where sunlight is visible; keeping it above 10°C allows slow growth. In spring, from March to April, repot and change the soil. The growing medium can be prepared with peat soil plus 50% garden soil. First place a 2 cm to 3 cm thick layer of ceramsite or coarse gravel at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, then add the growing medium. After planting, keep the pot soil slightly moist, and after new buds appear, normal water and fertilizer management can be carried out. After about two years of cultivation, cut the stem and replant; the plant can be cut leaving 5 to 6 nodes, and the cut-off part can be used for cuttings or water culture.
The tied and shaped "fortune bamboo" is mostly grown in water. On ordinary days it should be placed in a bright place indoors. When the temperature is relatively low, change the water once every 7 to 10 days; in the peak growing seasons of spring and autumn, change the water once every 3 to 5 days. A full-element compound fertilizer can be added to the water. In the high-temperature period of summer, it is best to use cooled boiled water for water culture, to avoid root rot or the breeding of algae. Stop fertilizer in winter. In severe cold seasons in the north, water culture in rooms without heating facilities is prone to freezing damage. In early October, it can be planted in river sand, and when cold, cover the whole pot with a plastic bag and place it indoors where cold wind cannot reach it; it can overwinter safely at about 5°C.
In spring, it can be potted in growing medium or, after washing off the river sand, grown in water. During care, if there are rotten stems or rotten roots, they should be removed promptly, and the roots and stems should be soaked for 30 minutes in a 1000-fold water solution of 75% chlorothalonil, rinsed with clean water, and then water culture continued. If the plant is already very weak, it should be planted in soil to restore vigor.
Water-grown lucky bamboo likes decaying water. After rooting, it is not suitable to change the water; after the water evaporates and decreases, only add water promptly. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered branches. To prevent excessive growth, 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, which can keep the leaves emerald green.
After soil-grown plants root, apply a small amount of compound chemical fertilizer promptly, and the branches will grow thick and strong and the leaves glossy green. In spring and autumn, apply compound fertilizer once a month.
Do not place lucky bamboo next to a television or in places where air conditioners often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf margins.
Propagation tips
In spring, cut the cut-off stems into 5 cm to 10 cm leafless stem nodes, or cut the base tip, which easily dries out. For branches with stem tips that have grown in partly shaded places indoors for a long time, insert them into clean coarse river sand, water thoroughly, cover with a plastic bag, keep the medium moist, and place in a bright place indoors; they can root in about 25 days. Or insert the cut branches into water; at 25°C they can root in about half a month.
Special reminder
In the north, it is better to buy lucky bamboo in spring; after buying it, it immediately enters a suitable growing period. In winter, if there are heating facilities, it can also be purchased before the New Year festival. For potted plants, choose robust plants with deep green, glossy leaves, bright golden-edge stripes, no dried tips, no bare lower stems, a plant height of less than 30 cm, and 3 to 6 branches. For water-grown plants of various shapes, choose plants with evenly thick stems, beautiful shapes, and no rot at the base or root system. In particular, note that lucky bamboo grows poorly in alkaline soil and dry climates, and the leaves also grow thin and weak with dull, lusterless color, so attention should be paid to this.
Winter cultivation
The suitable temperature for lucky bamboo development is 22°C-25°C. It is not tolerant of high temperatures; above 32°C it grows slowly. During overwintering, the room temperature should be kept above 10°C, fertilizing should be stopped, and watering should be controlled, so it can overwinter safely. Below 13°C the plant goes dormant and stops growing. When the temperature is too low, because the roots cannot absorb enough water, yellow-brown patches appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins.
It also depends on how your lucky bamboo was cultivated. At present, the main cultivation methods for lucky bamboo are three: first, soil culture; second, water culture; third, vase insertion. For water culture, in winter you can change the clean water about once a week as appropriate.
In winter, prevent freezing damage. In the north, do not place it outdoors, and the indoor temperature had best not be lower than 10°C. Otherwise the leaves easily turn yellow. For water culture, avoid the water freezing and freezing the roots.
It is best to place it in a place with sufficient light. For vase water culture of lucky bamboo, the following key points should be grasped:
1. Before inserting, remove the leaves at the base of the cutting and use a sharp knife to cut the base into a slanted opening; the cut should be smooth to help absorb water and nutrients. Change the clean water once every 3-4 days, and do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. In about 15 days, snow-white fibrous roots can grow.
2. After rooting, it is not suitable to change the water; only add water promptly after the water evaporates and decreases. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered branches.
3. After rooting, apply a small amount of compound chemical fertilizer promptly, and the leaves will be glossy green and the branches thick and strong. If no fertilizer is applied for a long time, the plant will grow weak and the leaf color will easily turn yellow. But fertilizer must not be applied too much, to avoid "burning the roots" or causing excessive growth. In spring and autumn, apply compound chemical fertilizer once a month. According to the materials, to prevent excessive growth in water-grown lucky bamboo, 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, which can keep the leaves emerald green.
4. Do not place lucky bamboo next to a television or in places where air conditioners or electric fans often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf margins. How to care for lucky bamboo in winter is not so scary. Many netizens say that lucky bamboo easily dies as soon as winter comes. After reading the above knowledge on how to care for lucky bamboo in winter, deaths should no longer occur.
Disease control of lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo anthracnose
It is a common disease and occurs relatively widely; it is a serious disease harming lucky bamboo in the south. Because the temperature was high last winter and this spring and the drought lasted a long time, early-planted lucky bamboo in Zhanjiang, Guangzhou, Taishan, and other areas of Guangdong has already grown luxuriantly. According to many flower farmers, many lucky bamboo leaf tips to leaves became dry and withered and kept spreading and spreading to the upper leaves; because the drought and high temperature lasted a long time, the disease broke out when rain came. It was diagnosed as an epidemic of lucky bamboo anthracnose causing harm, and it occurred in epidemic form early in mid-March.
[Symptoms] The disease begins mostly on the leaf tips or leaf margins and on the leaves. In the early stage, the diseased part shows water-soaked, dark green irregular lesions, and gradually spreads and expands to the upper leaves; in the middle stage they are semicircular to irregular, with dark brown edges and obvious boundaries; in the later stage the outer edge of the leaf lesion has a yellow halo, and the center of the lesion is grayish brown or grayish white to yellow-brown. The concentric rings on the lesion surface are obvious or not obvious, and small black spots appear on the lesions. The leaves begin to gradually turn yellow and die. Once the lesions spread and expand to the leaves, young leaf buds, main stem, and leaf stem base, when the disease is severe, the stems and leaves will rapidly wilt and die. Under weather conditions of continuous rain and much fog and dew, the diseased leaves spread, the plants grow poorly, and the effect of leaf viewing is seriously affected.
[Control methods] Strengthen the care and management of lucky bamboo; do not plant too densely; pay attention to avoiding freezing damage and frost damage; irrigate moistly, fertilize reasonably, and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote growth and improve disease resistance. In winter and spring, cut off diseased leaves and clear away dead leaves, and burn them in a concentrated way to reduce disease incidence, and spread quicklime once to sterilize and disinfect the soil; or spray a 500-fold solution of 50% compound carbendazim once to prevent disease, with relatively good preventive effect. Improve the permeability of the field or garden; for open-field cultivation, pay attention to opening furrows after rain to drain accumulated water and reduce field humidity, and do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer. During the growing period, build shade netting to reduce high-temperature, strong-light exposure. Promptly kill spiders, longhorn beetles, leaf mites, scale insects, and so on, to reduce transmission vectors.
When diseased plants are found, spray promptly to control the disease. In the early stage of disease, alternately spray 75% chlorothalonil + 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder (1:1) 600-
800-fold dilution, or 50% compound thiophanate-methyl 800-fold, or 50% Kasumin wettable powder 600-800-fold dilution, or 12.5% emulsifiable concentrate Jiaobantuo 1000-1500-fold dilution, 25% Tanteling wettable powder 500-fold dilution, or 50% anthracnose thiram wettable powder 500-fold, 50% Shibaogong wettable powder 1000-fold dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil + 70% Daigaole (1:1) 1000-1200-fold dilution, the control effect is good. Use the above chemicals alternately, once every 7 days, spraying 3-4 times in succession. Generally spray quickly before or after heavy rain to control the production and spread of fungal spores and conidia and infection, and the control effect is relatively good.
Lucky bamboo leaf spot disease
[Symptoms] Occurs on the leaves. The lesions are initially brown spots with yellow edges; after expanding, the lesions are nearly round, gray inside, with dark brown edges and yellow surroundings, and under humid conditions black granular bodies appear on the lesions.
[Causes] It is a fungal disease. The pathogen survives on diseased plant residues, spreads via airflow, insects, etc., and can directly infect and damage through leaf stomata. In greenhouse environments it tends to occur year-round; under humid conditions the disease is severe.
[Control methods] During the maintenance period, control the planting density and maintain ventilation and light. In the early stage of the disease, spray fungicides such as Ribangkegjun and phosethyl-Al manganese zinc.
Lucky bamboo stem rot
This disease causes the death of lucky bamboo and reduces its ornamental value. It occurs more often during the high-temperature and high-humidity period from May to September, mainly harming the leaves and stems.
Symptoms: The leaves at the base of the stem of the seedlings turn yellow; the stem base rots, turns yellow and softens; the inside of the stem turns red; the pathogen gradually damages upward from the lower cut.
[Control methods]:
(1) Cultivate robust seedlings with well-filled tissue; remove diseased plants and burn them in a centralized manner; dig deep drainage ditches and plant on raised beds 25 cm high.
(2) Soak the lower cut of the seedlings for 24 hours with 42% Kejunjing powder 3000-fold dilution, or 88% hydroxymycin 1000-fold dilution.
Yellowing leaves
During the growth of lucky bamboo, leaves often turn yellow, and the cause is mostly improper cultivation management. Too much or too little water, too strong or too weak sunlight, and too much or too little fertilizer can all cause leaves to turn yellow, but the yellowing conditions differ. The causes should be carefully observed and analyzed, and corrected.
Water yellowing
The young leaves are dark yellow and lusterless, the old leaves show no obvious change, the branches are thin and yellow-green, and the new shoots shrink and do not grow, indicating overwatering. Take the plant out of the pot, place it in a ventilated and cool place to let the soil ball dry naturally, then put it back in the pot.
Drought yellowing
The yellowing from lack of water is different from the yellowing from too much water. The yellowing from lack of water is that the leaf tips or edges become withered and dry, and the old leaves wither, turn yellow and fall off from bottom to top, but the new leaves grow relatively normally. Just pay attention to watering thoroughly and sufficiently.
Sunscald yellowing
Strong direct sunlight shining on some shade-loving flowers (such as spider plant, hosta, etc.) easily causes the leaf tips and leaf edges to wither, and yellow spots appear on the parts of the leaves facing the sun. Just move them to a shaded place.
Light-deficiency yellowing
If placed in a shaded environment for a long time, the leaves cannot get enough sunlight and cannot form chlorophyll, and the whole plant's leaves turn yellow and then fall off. Supplementary lighting can prevent this disease.
Fertilizer yellowing
Flowers turning yellow due to excessive fertilizing or too high concentration show dry brown tips on the new leaves; generally the leaf surface is thick and lusterless, and uneven and not spreading flat, and the old leaves scorch, turn yellow and fall off. Stop fertilizing immediately, and in severe cases use a large amount of clean water to wash out part of the fertilizer.
Nutrient-deficiency yellowing
It shows as the young leaves becoming lighter in color, yellow or light green, while the old leaves are relatively normal or gradually turn from green to yellow. Check the potting soil; if there is hardening, change the soil. Usually apply light fertilizer frequently and water with some alum water at the right time (lucky bamboo is a foliage plant and should be given fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer). Steps for growing lucky bamboo in water
1. At the beginning of cultivation, cut off the leaves at the bottom to prevent them from inhibiting the bamboo's own growth. The specific situation depends on the size and length of the bottle; be careful to cut off the leaves below the bottle mouth. Also, cut off a small section diagonally at the bottom of the root, and make sure the cut is smooth, so that the bamboo can absorb water better.
2. Control the water volume and choose water selectively. The water volume only needs to account for about one-third to two-thirds of the bottle. And before rooting, change the water frequently, once every 3-4 days. After rooting, it is almost unnecessary to change the water; just add an appropriate amount of water to the bottle. In summer and other dry weather, spray more water on the leaf surface.
3. Grasp the indoor water-culture temperature for lucky bamboo well, because lucky bamboo prefers warmth, with 16°C to 25°C being moderate. It is not suitable to place it in a cold place for cultivation, and antifreeze measures should be taken well.
4. Make sure lucky bamboo has enough lighting time. Even when cultivated indoors, let lucky bamboo contact sunlight appropriately; just place it in a ventilated place with sufficient light.
5. Depending on the actual situation, fertilize about once every 30 days on average. Moderate fertilizing can keep its leaves oily green and spreading for a long time, or an appropriate amount of culture solution can also be added.
Other control methods
While cultivating it, you should also pay more attention to the following issues:
1. If the leaves turn yellow, pay attention to whether there is insufficient light or excessive fertilizing.
2. If there are rotten leaves or rotten roots, remove them promptly.
3. Change the water frequently; if an unusual smell is found, change the water immediately.
4. Do not place it next to electrical appliances.
Uses of lucky bamboo: ornamental value
Lucky bamboo is an evergreen small tree. The beauty of lucky bamboo is inseparable from its auspicious name. It has slender and elegant leaves and emerald green leaf color, and its stem nodes show characteristics resembling bamboo nodes, but it is not true bamboo. In China there is the congratulatory phrase "flowers bloom for wealth and honor, bamboo reports peace." Because lucky bamboo has delicate stems and leaves, is soft and elegant, and is rich in bamboo charm, it is very much loved by people. Lucky bamboo is easy to manage, has few pests and diseases, is easy to cultivate, and symbolizes "great fortune and great profit."
(1) Lucky bamboo tower, also called wealth tower, bamboo tower, tower bamboo, with well-arranged staggered layers, noble and elegant shape, rising section by section, sprouting green layer by layer, shaped like a pagoda;
(2) Curved bamboo, also called fortune-turning bamboo, has combinations such as spiral type, heart type, figure-8 type, etc., meaning turning up good luck;
(3) Bamboo cage, artificially woven into a cage shape during cultivation, taking the meaning of wealth and lingering affection, bamboo cage entering water, and abundant financial resources;
(4) Straight branches, with multiple branches tied into a bundle or placed separately in a vase, with a vivid shape. After the terminal buds of each branch open into leaves, it appears even more full of vitality, with a strong momentum of rising section by section;
(5) Thousand-hand wealth plate, first planting multiple lucky bamboo branches regularly in a plate, then artificially weaving during cultivation, shaped like Thousand-Hand Guanyin, meaning good fortune and auspiciousness;
(6) Bamboo basket, using straight branches to tie the base of the basket and using two 7-shaped curved bamboos as the basket handle; two O-shaped curved bamboos can also be added for decoration, creating an artistic basket shape;
(7) Vase, tied with straight branches, left empty in the middle for arranging flowers, and curved bamboo can also be selected as a foil.
Feng shui effect
Lucky bamboo tower is what we often call lucky bamboo, also called wealth tower, pagoda, tower bamboo. It spread from Taiwan, China, has high ornamental value, is quite popular in the market, and has now been popular for more than ten years. Reasons for choosing lucky bamboo as a green plant:
1. It can be placed anywhere indoors.
2. It can grow with water and a little sunlight.
3. Its emerald green color will make you feel physically and mentally happy.
4. It can absorb indoor harmful gases and dust, and regulate air humidity.
5. It takes very little of your time to maintain and is easy to care for.
6. It can remain lush for a long time and has a long survival time.
Feng shui and placement
Plants occupy a very important position in feng shui, because they are easy to buy and also conform to natural feng shui rules.
Plants are widely used in feng shui, some for blocking negative energy and some for boosting wealth. However, many people only half understand it and think that placing plants must be good. In fact, using the method of placing plants to enhance feng shui is also a profound subject.
In feng shui methods, lucky bamboo is used to promote official luck and academic luck. If next year you are going to take an exam, be promoted, or write, you can place four lucky bamboo plants at the Wenchang position in your home, and a Wenchang tower and a brush rack also have the effect of promoting official luck and academic luck. These can be used at the same time to increase the power of the Wenchang position.
Plants placed at the wealth position should have large leaves, and plants with pointed and long leaves should absolutely not be planted. Gardening and Flower Network reminds you: lucky bamboo should not be placed at the wealth position; placing it at the wealth position or the negative-energy position will only make the fortune worse. Many people misunderstand lucky bamboo as a feng shui item for improving wealth, but in fact this name was only added by people later. Placing lucky bamboo at the wealth position of the whole house will lead to losses in wealth luck.
Landscape uses of lucky bamboo
Overview
Placing lush flowers and plants indoors is not only a good decoration, but also has a certain effect on improving the temperature, humidity, and air quality of the local environment. But the potting soil in flower pots often gives off an unpleasant smell, and especially after applying flower fertilizer, it will also breed small insects. In fact, growing some water-cultured plants in a room has a better effect.
Advantages of water culture
First, because water can evaporate freely, in the same environment it has a more obvious effect in regulating air humidity than plants cultivated in potting soil;
Second, water-cultured plants can omit the management work of potting soil, are clean and hygienic, and are simple to maintain;
Third, if plants whose root systems can be exposed to light are selected, matched with suitable containers, the whole plant can be viewed, giving higher ornamental value.
Matching with home decor
1. Create a home style that pursues wealth and yearns for goals. Lucky bamboo means wishing the owner wealth and honor and a flourishing life, so the home style that such a plant with a good meaning should present is self-evident.
2. Lucky bamboo creates a style in which the owner has integrity. "One would rather eat without meat than live without bamboo." It can be seen that since ancient times, bamboo has had a great effect on the formation of character. With it guiding us in how to conduct ourselves, we can certainly live out our own style.
3. In addition to the two obvious home styles above, beauty and practicality are also its very prominent home effects. Plant one, and your home life arrangement will certainly surprise you. Growing some water-cultured plants in a room has a better effect.
Flower language of lucky bamboo
Flowers bloom for wealth and honor, bamboo reports peace, a life of wealth and honor, great fortune and great profit, and pine, bamboo, and plum as the three friends of winter.
Lucky bamboo pictures
Lucky bamboo antifreeze: winter cultivation methods for lucky bamboo
After winter arrives, many plants will die because the outside is too cold. People who grow lucky bamboo at home certainly do not want it to freeze to death, so they begin to ask about antifreeze measures for lucky bamboo, so that lucky bamboo can pass a warm winter and they do not worry that any mistake with lucky bamboo will affect feng shui.
Maintain indoor temperature. Lucky bamboo is suitable for growing between 16°C and 26°C, and cold easily causes the plant to die. In winter, do not place it in colder places such as balconies and next to windows, and absolutely do not let the water freeze. Antifreeze measures can be taken when necessary. But if you choose to use an air conditioner at home, try to keep the temperature between 16°C and 26°C.
Winter cultivation methods for lucky bamboo
1. Notes on changing water for lucky bamboo in winter:
Generally, after lucky bamboo has been grown for a period of time, it will grow many small fine roots. In winter, try to change water to adding water. After rooting, it is not suitable to change water; after the water evaporates, only add water in time. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered branches. The added water is best well water. The water must be kept clean and fresh; dirty water, hard water, or water mixed with oil must not be used, otherwise the roots rot easily.
2. Temperature suitable for the winter growth of lucky bamboo; maintain an appropriate indoor temperature
Maintain indoor temperature. Lucky bamboo is suitable for growing between 16°C and 26°C, and cold easily causes the plant to die. In winter, do not place it in colder places such as balconies and next to windows, and absolutely do not let the water freeze. Antifreeze measures can be taken when necessary. But if you choose to use an air conditioner at home, try to keep the temperature between 16°C and 26°C.
3. Ensure sufficient light in winter as well:
Everyone knows that as long as they are plants, they will carry out some photosynthesis, and lucky bamboo is no exception. Although lucky bamboo is a shade-loving plant and is generally placed indoors, with low requirements for sunlight, if it cannot come into contact with sunlight at all, the leaves will also wither and yellow and grow poorly. Therefore, place it in a bright and ventilated environment as much as possible, so that it fully contacts light. In this way, it is more conducive to the growth of lucky bamboo in winter;
That is all for lucky bamboo antifreeze. If you grow lucky bamboo at home, you can take corresponding antifreeze measures in winter to avoid any situation in which lucky bamboo may be frostbitten or freeze to death. For more knowledge about lucky bamboo antifreeze, you can pay more attention to updates on this website.