What to Do When Dracaena sanderiana Gets Red Spider Mites? Pest and Disease Control and Medication Methods
Dracaena sanderiana, also known as lucky bamboo, grows vigorously and coarsely, with deep green leaves that stay evergreen all year round, making it highly ornamental in the home. However, precisely because it is grown indoors, it often faces dry air and poor ventilation, which leads to pests and diseases. So what should you do when Dracaena sanderiana gets bugs
Dracaena sanderiana, also known as lucky bamboo, grows vigorously and coarsely, with deep green leaves that stay evergreen all year round, making it highly ornamental in the home. However, precisely because it is grown indoors, it often faces dry air and poor ventilation, which leads to pests and diseases. So what should you do when Dracaena sanderiana gets bugs? Here are several pest and disease control methods for Dracaena sanderiana, let's take a look!
I. Dracaena sanderiana Gets Bugs
Dracaena sanderiana generally does not get bugs, but in dry air and poorly ventilated environments, it can also get scale insects and red spider mites. Usually, when there are only a few, you can remove them by hand; when there are many, you need to spray pesticide promptly for control. If it is water-grown Dracaena sanderiana and bugs appear in the water, they are most likely mosquito larvae, and simply changing the water promptly will solve it.
II. Pest and Disease Control for Dracaena sanderiana
1. Dracaena sanderiana Scale Insects
Generally, in poorly ventilated and poorly lit environments, Dracaena sanderiana is prone to scale insects. These insects usually float and attach to the surface of the plant's leaves, and their secretions contaminate the leaves, causing the leaves to wilt and inducing sooty mold, doing great harm.
Control method: When there are few scale insects, use a brush dipped in water to gently brush off the insect bodies, then spray white vinegar for prevention; when there are many scale insects, spray 40% omethoate 1000-times solution for control, spraying once a week, and it takes effect after 2 to 3 consecutive sprays.
2. Dracaena sanderiana Red Spider Mites
Besides scale insects, Dracaena sanderiana may also get red spider mites. These pests mainly pierce their mouthparts into the leaves of Dracaena sanderiana to suck the sap, damaging the plant's chlorophyll, causing the leaves of Dracaena sanderiana to turn yellow and even drop off.
Control method: When individual leaves are affected, remove the infested leaves; when many leaves are affected, spray propargite, dimethoate, huachongjing, fenvalerate and other pesticides promptly for control. If you don't have the pesticides mentioned above, you can also use neutral laundry detergent diluted with water and spray it, making sure to spray the undersides of the leaves too, and the effect is quite good.
3. Dracaena sanderiana Anthracnose
In the pest and disease control of Dracaena sanderiana, anthracnose is one that requires extreme attention. This disease tends to occur in the rainy season when humidity is excessive and the environment is not ventilated. If Dracaena sanderiana shows blackened leaf tips and yellow spots on the leaves, it has likely contracted anthracnose.
Control method: In winter and spring, promptly remove and destroy diseased leaves when found, and sprinkle quicklime to disinfect the soil. In the early stage of Dracaena sanderiana anthracnose, spray 75% chlorothalonil 600-times solution or 50% thiram wettable powder 500-times solution, spraying once every 7 to 10 days, and it takes effect after 3 consecutive sprays.
4. Dracaena sanderiana Stem Rot/Root Rot
Under improper care, Dracaena sanderiana can also get sick. For example, in winter, if watered too much or the potting soil drains poorly, plus a dark indoor environment, it is very easy to cause root rot and stem rot. Symptoms: the roots and stems of Dracaena sanderiana turn black and rot.
Control method: After discovering the above symptoms, cut off the rotten parts of Dracaena sanderiana, apply sulfur powder, then replace with fresh culture soil and replant. After that, move the potted plant to a ventilated, sunny spot, and before long, Dracaena sanderiana will recover its health.
5. Dracaena sanderiana Leaf Spot
When the indoor temperature fluctuates greatly in a short period, or when watered too much during the dormant period, Dracaena sanderiana is prone to leaf spot. This disease mainly harms the lower leaves of Dracaena sanderiana. Diseased leaves develop many small brown spots, and in severe cases the spots spread across the entire leaf.
Control method: When the above symptoms are found, promptly remove diseased leaves and destroy them together to reduce the source of infection; in the early stage of the disease, you can also spray 42% kejunqing powder 3000-times solution on the leaf surface, spraying once every 5 to 7 days, and after 2 to 3 consecutive sprays, it can basically recover.
Overall, growing Dracaena sanderiana is not difficult; as long as you care for it carefully, bugs will not come knocking. That is all on pest and disease control for Dracaena sanderiana. I believe that when you encounter Dracaena sanderiana getting bugs or getting sick again, you will know what to do! Finally, may everyone's Dracaena sanderiana grow beautifully~
Lucky Bamboo Dracaena sanderiana Lucky Bamboo Illustrated Guide: How to Grow Lucky Bamboo / How to Propagate Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo ProfileLucky Bamboo Dracaena sanderiana
Lucky Bamboo Growing Methods and Precautions Introduction to Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo, also known as Dracaena sanderiana and fortune bamboo, is a foliage plant that has become deeply loved by people in recent years. Lucky bamboo can be grown both in water and in pots; comparatively, potted plants live longer, grow more vigorously, and are easier to manage. Lucky bamboo is a shade-loving plant and rarely blooms; blooming represents that it can bring you good luck. It grows vigorously and coarsely, with upright stems and deep green leaves, evergreen through winter and summer. Whether potted, or with stems cut for bottle arrangement, or processed into "fortune bamboo" or "curved bamboo," it all appears elegant and noble, with slender stems and leaves, soft and graceful, with a free and easy posture, full of bamboo charm, and extremely high ornamental value. The beauty of lucky bamboo is inseparable from its auspicious name. It has slender and elegant leaves, emerald green leaf color, and its stem nodes show characteristics resembling bamboo nodes, but it is not true bamboo. China has the congratulatory phrase "flowers bloom for wealth and honor, bamboo reports peace." Because lucky bamboo has slender stems and leaves, is soft and graceful, and is extremely 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."
Lucky bamboo is a tropical evergreen foliage plant. It likes high temperature and high humidity growing environments, likes light but can tolerate shade, likes moisture and can tolerate drought, and can be kept indoors for a long time without deliberate care; as long as there is enough water, it can continue to grow. It can be said that it is a crop that grows coarsely and with little care, and generally can grow normally without deliberate care. But in order to keep it vigorous, proper care is very necessary. Lucky bamboo fears cold and frost the most. Generally, at a temperature of around zero degrees and placed outdoors, it will freeze to death. This is the reason 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 exposed to strong direct light outdoors, it grows slowly. Therefore, if growing it in large quantities as an economic 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 it can grow smoothly. The umbel inflorescence has 3 to 10 flowers born in the leaf axils or opposite the upper leaves, with 6 perianth segments and a bell-shaped purple corolla. The berry is nearly spherical and black. Lucky bamboo is a perennial evergreen herb, with plant height reaching 1.5 to 2.5 m or more. If used for commercial or ornamental purposes, a cultivation height of 80 to 100 cm is suitable. It is mostly cultivated in gardens, and also grows wild. It likes shady and humid 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. Plant height over 1 m, plant slender, upright with branches on the upper part. Rhizome creeping, nodular. Leaves alternate or nearly opposite, papery, leaves long lanceolate, with obvious 3 to 7 main veins, with short petioles, deep green. The umbel inflorescence has 3 to 10 flowers born in the leaf axils or opposite the upper leaves, with 6 perianth segments and a bell-shaped purple corolla. The berry is nearly spherical and black. Lucky bamboo is a perennial evergreen herb, with plant height reaching 1.5 to 2.5 m or more. If used for commercial or ornamental purposes, a cultivation height of 80 to 100 cm is suitable. It is mostly cultivated in gardens, and also grows wild. It likes shady and humid conditions, has thick stems and leaves, and dark green leaves, and is mainly used as an ornamental plant. Planting lucky bamboo has the advantages of high yield and high economic benefit. At present, the general market price can reach 3 to 5 yuan or more 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 starts in spring at the Awakening of Insects, and it can be harvested in mid-to-late December. This variety is easy to manage, and you can choose loose, fertile rice fields or sloping land for cultivation.
Ecological Habits of Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo likes shady, humid, and high-temperature conditions; it tolerates shade, waterlogging, strong fertility, and strong cold resistance; it likes semi-shaded environments. It is suitable for growing in well-drained sandy soil or semi-muddy sand and alluvial clay. The suitable growing temperature is 20-28°C, and it can tolerate low temperatures of 2-3°C, but in winter it must be protected from frost. In the high-temperature and humid seasons of summer and autumn, conditions are very favorable for the growth of lucky bamboo, and this is its best growing period. It is not strict about light requirements and is suitable for growing under bright scattered light. Too strong light or exposure to the sun can cause leaves to turn yellow, lose green color, 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 75% being suitable, creating a semi-shaded, scattered-light environment. Especially from April to September, avoid direct strong light, sun exposure, or excessive drought, otherwise the leaf surface easily becomes rough, scorched, and weak in growth, and the leaves lack luster, reducing ornamental value. During the growing season, the soil should be kept moist regularly, and water should often be sprayed or sprinkled on the leaf surface to increase air humidity; after heavy rain, field water should be drained to prevent lodging. In winter, pay attention to cold protection and frost protection; at temperatures below 10°C, leaves will turn yellow and wither. At this time, the soil should be alternately dry and moist, but it should not be too dry or too wet; reduce watering and stop fertilizing.
Lucky bamboo is an evergreen small tree, with upright stems, a delicate plant form, and thick stems reaching over 2 m high. The leaves are long lanceolate, deep green, and it grows robustly and is easy to keep alive 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, it grows vigorously, and it is relatively widely cultivated. It is generally mostly used for household bottle arrangement or potted maintenance, 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 grows vigorously and coarsely, with upright stems and deep green leaves, evergreen through winter and summer. Whether potted, or with stems cut for bottle arrangement, or processed into "fortune bamboo" or "curved bamboo," it all appears elegant and noble, with slender stems and leaves, soft and graceful, with a free and easy posture, full of bamboo charm, and extremely 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. Cutting propagation is often used, and it can be carried out throughout the year as long as the temperature is suitable. Generally, cut stem segments without leaves as cuttings, 5-10 cm long, preferably with 3 internodes, and insert them into a sand bed or semi-muddy sandy soil. In the south, in spring and autumn it generally takes 25-30 days to sprout roots and buds, and 35 days to be put into trays or transplanted to the field. Water cuttings can also root, and soilless cultivation can also be carried out. 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. With careful care and cultivation, they can be harvested and cut for bottle use by the Spring Festival of the same year. In areas south of Guangzhou, such as farmers in Haiyan Town, Taishan City, they insert directly into the field in spring and autumn. They can also use top spike branches or internode top seedlings or lateral bud top spikes cut into 15-20 cm cuttings in October to December, insert them into coarse sand or semi-muddy sand fields, bury 2 nodes in the soil, water once a day, and keep the soil moist; generally they can 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 inserted into the field in the open, generally rooting in 30-35 days. They can also be cut from mid-March to early April (Spring Equinox to Clear and Bright); 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 with good management they 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, and keep a shallow water layer in the furrows. During high temperature and drought, irrigate the furrows and sprinkle water to cool down and retain moisture, so that the plants grow vigorously. Each time fertilizer is applied, a thin layer of water should be sprinkled once to promote fertilizer dissolution so that the roots can absorb fertilizer quickly. In case of heavy or torrential rain, drain the field water, and it is not suitable to fertilize, to prevent disease occurrence. Pay attention to typhoon attacks, 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 furrows.
Potted Maintenance
Lucky bamboo can be potted in a mix of leaf mold, vegetable garden soil, and river sand, or a culture soil mixed from coconut coir, leaf mold, coal cinder ash plus a small amount of chicken manure, peanut meal, and compound fertilizer. 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 potting soil should be kept moist regularly, and never let the potting soil dry out. Especially in midsummer, water should often be sprayed on the leaf surface; excessive dryness will cause leaf tips and leaves to dry up. In winter, the potting soil should not be too wet, but water should often be sprayed on the leaf surface, and attention should be paid to cold and freeze protection measures to avoid 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 potting soil moist, and prevent leaf tip drying. It is better to place it on a balcony facing north at the back and facing the sun. In spring and autumn, appropriately increase light, with 3-4 hours of light per day, to maintain the bright color of the leaves. In summer and autumn, provide appropriate shade, spray water once a day, and clean dust from the leaf surface, so that growth is more vigorous and the leaf color is 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 the beginning, heavy in the middle, and light at the end. For field planting, choose deep, fertile sandy loam or semi-muddy sandy soil, or alluvial clay. First plow the soil and turn it deeply twice, then make beds for planting. The bed width is 1.2-1.5 m, and 75-100 kg of phosphate fertilizer is applied per mu on the bed surface. The furrow depth is 20-30 cm, the furrow bottom width is 40-50 cm, the row spacing is 23 cm, and the plant spacing is 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, applying 15-17.5 kg of urea, 15 kg of potassium 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 2000 kg of decomposed human manure urine water fertilizer as a drench, to promote root growth, leaf growth, and thick 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, with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers added. Apply 1-2 times per month of sulfuric acid compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, 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, and 50 kg of phosphate fertilizer should be applied. Or 600-800 kg of decomposed chicken manure. From August to September, topdressing can be applied as appropriate depending on the growth of lucky bamboo, mainly compound fertilizer, with less nitrogen fertilizer, to prevent excessive leaf growth. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and foliar fertilizers should be increased. Spray once every 10-15 days with 3% urea + 5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + lüwang + zhibaosu + yunda-120 and other foliar fertilizers, to promote thick stems, height, thick leaves, and dark green and bright leaf color.
Bottle Water Culture
1. Before inserting into the bottle, remove the leaves from the base of the cuttings, and cut the base with a knife at a slant. The cut should be smooth to facilitate the absorption of 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. After about 15 days, lucky bamboo can grow silver-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 can easily cause yellowing and withering of the leaves.
3. After lucky bamboo roots, apply a small amount of compound chemical fertilizer promptly, and then the leaves will be glossy green and the branches thick. If no fertilizer is applied for a long time, the plant grows thin and weak, and the leaves easily turn yellow. But fertilizer should 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 reference 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; this can keep the leaves emerald green.
4. Do not place lucky bamboo next to a TV or in places where air conditioners or electric fans often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf edges.
Variety Classification of Lucky Bamboo
Today, there are 4 relatively common lucky bamboo varieties, 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 greenish-yellow or golden-yellow longitudinal stripes, which is rather special. The plant of lucky bamboo 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 lucky bamboo has a silver-white longitudinal stripe.
Silver-Edge Lucky Bamboo
The green leaf has a broad silver-white band at the edge, also called an edge trim, 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 edge trim of the leaf is golden yellow.
Ornamental Varieties
Fortune Bamboo
Fortune bamboo is also called fortune tower, bamboo tower, or tower 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 packaging and transportation costs are relatively high, exported fortune bamboo is mostly products with two to five layers.
Curved Bamboo
Curved bamboo, also called lucky-transfer bamboo. This product is a new variety that only began to become popular in the past two or three years. It was invented and promoted by flower farmers in Haiyan Town, Taishan City, Guangdong Province. A large amount of manpower is required in the cultivation and processing process, so production costs are relatively high. However, because its shapes are varied (spiral, heart-shaped, figure-8 shaped... etc.), it has high ornamental value after combination, and people hope it can bring good luck, so it is deeply loved by people. Its market share is higher than 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 means manually weaving it into a cage shape during cultivation, taking the meaning of wealth and lingering affection, pig cage entering water, and abundant wealth. Generally, wait until it roots in the tray and grows to a certain height, then peel off the lower bamboo leaves and retain the leaves and buds of the top 20 cm-30 cm before weaving. Some people, for 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 really not advisable.
Straight Branches
Straight branches generally use material with a diameter of 0.8 cm or more, and different lengths are cut according to different merchant requirements. Tie multiple branches into a bundle or insert them separately in a vase; the shape is vivid, and after the top buds of each branch open leaves, it appears even more vibrant, with a strong momentum of rising higher step by step.
Thousand-Hand Fortune Tray
First plant multiple lucky bamboo branches regularly in a tray, and manually weave them during cultivation, shaped like Thousand-Hand Guanyin, auspicious and lucky.
Bamboo Basket
Use straight branches to tie the base of the basket, and use two 7-shaped curved bamboo pieces as the basket handle; two O-shaped curved bamboo pieces can also be added for decoration. Of course, this kind of shape has no fixed format, and creative artistic shapes can be made according to various needs.
Vase
It is mainly tied from straight branches, with space left in the middle 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 Steps of Lucky Bamboo
High-quality finished lucky bamboo products must go through multiple selections and be processed strictly according to each step.
Processing Fortune Bamboo (Tower)
1. Remove the leaves from the raw bamboo harvested from 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 medicinal 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, control the greenhouse temperature and humidity well.
4. Carefully select, bundle, and process the sprouted bamboo stalks; the buds of the same product are required to be consistent in length.
5. Care for the finished product, package it, and leave the factory.
Processing Curved Bamboo
1. Remove the leaves from the raw bamboo harvested from 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 medicinal disinfection, sterilization, and mildew removal to ensure that the bamboo branches do not deteriorate.
4. Put the bamboo bundles into a greenhouse by category for sprouting and rooting. Pay attention to controlling the greenhouse temperature and humidity.
5. Care for the finished product, package it, and leave the factory.
Note: The processing steps for other varieties are similar to the above, but the step of medicinal disinfection, sterilization, and mildew removal absolutely cannot be omitted.
Cultivation Techniques of Lucky Bamboo Soil Culture
It likes shady, humid, and high-temperature conditions, tolerates waterlogging, has strong fertilizer tolerance, and strong cold resistance; it likes semi-shaded environments. It is suitable for growing in well-drained sandy soil or semi-muddy sand and alluvial clay. The suitable growing temperature is 20-28°C, and it can tolerate low temperatures of 2-3°C, but in winter it must be protected from frost. In the high-temperature and humid seasons of summer and autumn, conditions are very favorable for the growth of lucky bamboo, and this is its best growing period. It is not strict about light requirements and is suitable for growing under bright scattered light. Too strong light or exposure to the sun can cause leaves to turn yellow, lose green color, 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 75% being suitable, creating a semi-shaded, scattered-light environment. Especially from April to September, avoid direct strong light, sun exposure, or excessive drought, otherwise the leaf surface easily becomes rough, scorched, and weak in growth, and the leaves lack luster, reducing ornamental value. During the growing season, the soil should be kept moist regularly, and water should often be sprayed or sprinkled on the leaf surface to increase air humidity; after heavy rain, field water should be drained to prevent lodging. In winter, pay attention to cold protection and frost protection; at temperatures below 10°C, leaves will turn yellow and wither. At this time, the soil should be alternately dry and moist, but it should not be too dry or too wet; reduce watering and stop fertilizing.
Lucky bamboo has strong growth and strong ability to root and sprout. Cutting propagation is often used, and it can be carried out throughout the year as long as the temperature is suitable. Generally, cut stem segments without leaves as cuttings, 5-10 cm long, preferably with 3 internodes, and insert them into a sand bed or semi-muddy sandy soil. In the south, in spring and autumn it generally takes 25-30 days to sprout roots and buds, and 35 days to be put into trays or transplanted to the field.
Water Cutting
Water cuttings can also root, and soilless cultivation can also be carried out. 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. With careful care and cultivation, they can be harvested and cut for bottle use by the Spring Festival of the same year. In areas south of Guangzhou, such as farmers in Haiyan Town, Taishan City, they insert directly into the field in spring and autumn. They can also use top spike branches or internode top seedlings or lateral bud top spikes cut into 15-20 cm cuttings in October to December, insert them into coarse sand or semi-muddy sand fields, bury 2 nodes in the soil, water once a day, and keep the soil moist; generally they can 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 inserted into the field in the open, generally rooting in 30-35 days. They can also be cut from mid-March to early April (Spring Equinox to Clear and Bright); 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 with good management they 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. Tie the top of the shed tightly with iron wire or nylon rope. Then, according to 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 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 and 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, do not plant too densely. The planting depth is preferably 2.5-3.5 cm (that is, with seedlings having 4 nodes, inserting 2 nodes is enough). Maintain appropriate space to allow 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 benefits.
1. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: when inserting and planting, apply jinzhi yuye (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. You can drench once with 30-40 loads of manure water per mu. After 30-40 days, depending on the growth of the seedlings, apply a seedling-promoting fertilizer once, generally mainly compound fertilizer, applying 15-20 kg of compound fertilizer per mu, then 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 per mu and 10-15 kg of urea being suitable. At the same time, foliar fertilizer can be sprayed in combination, using xinzhi su or penshibao and other plant growth regulators for spraying, to promote balanced growth, lush leaves and thick stems, and improve stress resistance.
Pest Control
When planting lucky bamboo, pay attention to draining waterlogging on rainy days, preventing drought on dry days, and preventing frost on cold days. If dry weather occurs, pay attention to running horse water to keep the field bed surface moist. In lucky bamboo fields covered with shade netting, adult Lepidoptera find it harder to fly 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, only 2 sprays of insecticide are needed.
Cultivation Essentials
1. Remove leaves from the base and cut a slanted opening: before putting into the vase, remove the leaves from the base of the cuttings, 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 put in for preservation. Do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days, and after about 15 days silver-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 added water is best well water. If using tap water, first store it in a container for one day. The water should be kept clean and fresh; do not use dirty water, hard water, or water mixed with oil, 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 use 500 g of water to dissolve half a tablet of aspirin crushed into powder or one tablet of VC, and drip a few drops in when adding water. This can keep the leaves emerald green (no need after roots grow).
4. Avoid wind: do not place lucky bamboo next to a TV or in places where air conditioners or electric fans often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf edges.
Cultivation Tips
In northern China, the growing season for lucky bamboo is from April to October. The potting soil should be kept moist, and apply a humic acid liquid fertilizer once every half month. In summer, if maintained outdoors, provide shade; too strong light will cause the leaves to turn yellow, so it is better to place it on a north-facing balcony or under sparse shade. In dry weather, sprinkle water on the ground and leaves 1 to 2 times a day. From November to March of the following year, maintain it indoors, place it in a visible sunlight spot by a south window, and keep it above 10°C for slow growth. Repot and change soil from March to April in spring. The culture soil can be made from peat soil plus 50% garden soil. First place 2 cm to 3 cm thick ceramsite or coarse gravel at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, then add culture soil. After planting, keep the potting soil slightly moist, and normal water and fertilizer management can be carried out after new buds emerge. After about two years of cultivation, cut the stems and replant. The plant can be cut back leaving 5 to 6 nodes, and the cut parts can be used for cuttings or water culture.
Bound and shaped "fortune bamboo" is mostly water-grown. On ordinary days, place it 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 cool boiled water for water culture, to avoid root rot or algae growth. Stop fertilizing in winter. In severe cold seasons, water culture in indoor spaces without heating facilities in the north is prone to freeze damage. You can plant it in river sand in early October, and when it is cold, cover the whole pot with a plastic bag and place it indoors where cold wind cannot reach it. It can overwinter safely at around 5°C.
In spring, it can be potted in culture soil or washed free of river sand and grown in water. During maintenance, if there are rotten stems or roots, remove them promptly, soak the roots and stems in 75% chlorothalonil 1000-times aqueous solution for 30 minutes, rinse with clean water, and continue water culture. If the plant is already very weak, it should be soil-grown to restore vigor.
Water-grown lucky bamboo likes humus 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 then the branches grow thick and the leaves are glossy green. In spring and autumn, applying compound fertilizer once a month is enough.
Do not place lucky bamboo next to a TV or in places where air conditioners often blow, to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf edges.
Propagation Tips
In spring, cut the harvested stems into 5 cm to 10 cm leafless stem sections, or take cuttings from the base tips which tend to dry out easily. For branches with stem tips that have partly grown in a shaded indoor spot over a long period, insert them into clean coarse river sand, water thoroughly, cover with a plastic bag, keep the medium moist, and place in a bright indoor spot; they will root in about 25 days. Alternatively, insert the cut branches into water; at 25°C they will root in about half a month.
Special reminder
In northern China, it is better to buy lucky bamboo in spring, as it enters its suitable growing period right after purchase. If there is heating in winter, it can also be bought before the New Year festival. For potted plants, choose vigorous plants with dark green glossy leaves, bright golden-edged stripes, no dried tips, no bare lower stems, a plant height under 30 cm, and 3 to 6 branches. For water-grown plants of various shapes, choose plants with evenly thick stems, graceful shapes, and no rot at the base or roots. A special reminder: lucky bamboo grows poorly in alkaline soil and dry climates, with thin, weak leaves and dull, lusterless leaf color, so attention should be paid to this.
Winter cultivation
The suitable temperature for lucky bamboo growth is 22°C to 25°C. It is not tolerant of high temperatures, and growth slows when the temperature exceeds 32°C. During overwintering, the room temperature must be kept above 10°C, fertilizer 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 absorb insufficient water, yellow-brown patches will appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins.
It also depends on how your lucky bamboo was cultivated. At present, there are mainly three cultivation methods for lucky bamboo: first, soil culture; second, water culture; third, bottle insertion. For water-cultured plants in winter, change the clean water about once a week as appropriate.
In winter, prevent frost damage. In the north, do not place it outdoors, and the indoor temperature should preferably not be below 10°C. Otherwise, yellow leaves are likely. If water-cultured, avoid the water freezing and damaging the roots.
It is best to place it in a spot with sufficient light. For bottle-inserted water culture of lucky bamboo, grasp the following key points:
1. Before placing it in, cut off the leaves at the base of the cuttings, and cut the base into a slanted opening with a sharp knife; the cut should be smooth to help absorb water and nutrients. Change the clean water once every 3 to 4 days. Within 10 days, do not move its position or change its orientation. In about 15 days, snow-white fibrous roots will grow.
2. After rooting, it is not suitable to change the water; only add water in time 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 fertilizer in time, 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 weakly and the leaf color will easily turn yellow. However, fertilizer must not be applied too much, to avoid "burning the roots" or causing leggy growth. In spring and autumn, apply compound fertilizer once a month. According to reference materials, for water-cultured lucky bamboo, to avoid leggy growth, do not apply chemical fertilizer; it is best to inject a few drops of brandy into the bottle about every 3 weeks, add a small amount of nutrient solution, and the leaves can remain emerald green.
4. Do not place lucky bamboo beside a television or in places often blown by air conditioners or electric fans, to avoid the leaf tips and leaf margins drying out. How to grow lucky bamboo in winter is not so scary. Many netizens say that lucky bamboo easily dies once winter comes. After reading the above knowledge on how to grow lucky bamboo in winter, deaths should no longer occur.
Pest and disease control of lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo anthracnose
It is a common disease and occurs fairly 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 growers, many lucky bamboo leaf tips to leaf blades have become dry and withered and continuously spread and expanded to the upper leaves; because the drought and high temperatures lasted a long time, the disease broke out when rainfall happened to occur. Diagnosis showed that it was an epidemic of lucky bamboo anthracnose causing damage, and it occurred in an epidemic ahead of time in mid-March.
[Symptoms]The disease initially mostly occurs on leaf tips, leaf margins and leaf blades. 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 late stage, the outer edge of the leaf lesions has a yellow halo, and the center of the spot is grayish brown or grayish white to yellowish brown. The concentric rings on the spot surface are obvious or not obvious, and small black dots appear on the lesions. The leaves begin to gradually turn yellow and die. Once the lesions spread and expand to the leaf blades, tender leaf buds, main stem and base of the leaf stem, 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 plant grows 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 frost damage and frost injury; 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 centrally to reduce disease incidence, and spread quicklime once to sterilize and disinfect the soil; or spray once with 50% compound carbendazim 500 times solution to prevent disease, with good preventive effect. Improve the permeability of the field or garden; for open-field cultivation, pay attention to digging ditches after rain to drain accumulated water, reduce field humidity, and do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer. During the growing period, set up shade nets to reduce high-temperature and strong-light exposure. Promptly kill spiders, longhorn beetles, spider mites, scale insects, etc., to reduce transmission vectors.
When diseased plants are found, spray chemicals in time to control the disease. In the early stage of the disease, alternately spray 75% chlorothalonil + 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder (1:1) 600-
800 times solution, or 50% compound sulfur fungicide 800 times solution or 50% Kasugamycin wettable powder 600-800 times solution, or 12.5% emulsifiable concentrate Jiaobantuo 1000-1500 times solution, 25% Tanteling wettable powder 500 times solution, or 50% anthracnose Fumei wettable powder 500 times solution, 50% Shibaogong wettable powder 1000 times solution, or 75% chlorothalonil + 70% Daigaole (1:1) 1000-1200 times solution, with good control effect. Use the above chemicals alternately, once every 7 days, spraying 3-4 times consecutively. Generally, spray quickly before or after heavy rain to control the production of fungal spores and conidia spread and infection, with good control effect.
Lucky bamboo leaf spot
[Symptoms]It occurs on leaf blades. In the early stage, the lesions are brown spots with yellow edges; after expansion, the lesions are nearly circular, gray inside, dark brown at the edges, yellow around, 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 air currents, insects, etc., and can directly infect and damage through leaf stomata. Under greenhouse conditions, it is prone 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 transmission. In the early stage of the disease, spray fungicides such as Ribankejun and ethylicin manganese zinc.
Lucky bamboo stem rot
This disease causes the death of lucky bamboo and reduces its ornamental value. It occurs more from May to September under high temperature and high humidity, mainly harming leaves and stems.
Symptoms: the leaves at the base of the seedling stem turn yellow; the stem base rots, turns yellow and soft; the interior of the stem turns red; the pathogen gradually damages upward from the lower cut.
[Control methods]:
(1) Cultivate vigorous seedlings with full tissue; remove diseased plants and burn them centrally; dig deep drainage ditches and plant on raised beds 25 cm high.
(2) Soak the lower cut of the seedlings for 24 hours in 42% Kejunjing powder 3000 times solution, or 88% Hydromycin 1000 times solution.
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 leaf yellowing, but the yellowing conditions differ. Observe carefully, analyze the cause, and correct it.
Water yellowing
Tender leaves are dull yellow and lusterless, old leaves show no obvious change, branches are thin and yellow-green, and 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 by itself, then put it back into 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 withered and dry at the leaf tips or edges, and old leaves wither, yellow and fall from bottom to top, but new leaves grow relatively normally. Just pay attention to watering enough and thoroughly.
Sunburn yellowing
Strong direct sunlight shining on some shade-loving flowers (such as spider plant, hosta, etc.) easily causes the leaf tips and leaf margins to wither, and yellow spots appear on the sun-facing part of the leaves. Move it 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, so the whole plant's leaves turn yellow and then fall off. Supplementing light can avoid this problem.
Fertilizer yellowing
Flower yellowing caused by too much fertilizer or too high concentration shows as dry brown at the tips of new leaves; generally the leaf surface is thick and lusterless, and uneven and not stretched, and old leaves scorch, yellow and fall off. Stop fertilizing immediately; in severe cases, use a large amount of clean water to wash out part of the fertilizer.
Nutrient-deficiency yellowing
It shows as the color of tender leaves becoming lighter, yellow or pale green, while old leaves are relatively normal or gradually turn from green to yellow. Check the potting soil; if there is dry caking, change the soil. Usually apply thin 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 water insertion and water culture of lucky bamboo
1. At the beginning of cultivation, cut off the leaves at the bottom to prevent inhibiting the bamboo's own growth. The specific situation depends on the size and length of the bottle; note that leaves below the bottle mouth should be cut off. Also, cut off a small section diagonally at the bottom of the root, and note that the cut should be smooth, so that the elegant bamboo can absorb water better.
2. Control the water amount and selectively use water. The water amount 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, almost no water change is needed; 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 anti-freezing measures should be taken.
4. Give lucky bamboo enough lighting time. Even if cultivated indoors, let lucky bamboo receive sunlight appropriately; just place it in a ventilated place with sufficient light.
5. Depending on the actual situation, apply fertilizer about once every 30 days on average. Moderate fertilization can keep its leaves glossy green and stretched for a long time, or adding an appropriate amount of culture solution also works.
Other control methods
While cultivating it, also pay more attention to the following issues:
1. If the leaves turn yellow, pay attention to whether there is insufficient light or too much fertilizer.
2. If there are rotten leaves or rotten roots, remove them in time.
3. Change the water frequently; if an unusual smell is found, change the water immediately.
4. Do not place it beside electrical appliances.
The functions and 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. China has the congratulatory phrase "flowers bloom in wealth and honor, bamboo reports peace." Because lucky bamboo has delicate stems and leaves, is soft and elegant, and is full of bamboo charm, it is very popular. 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 fortune tower, bamboo tower, tower bamboo. Its layers are well arranged, its shape is noble and elegant, rising step by step, spitting 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 bringing good luck;
(3) Bamboo cage, artificially woven into a cage shape during cultivation, taking the meaning of wealth and honor entwined, bamboo cage entering water, and abundant wealth;
(4) Straight branches, with multiple branches tied into a bundle or inserted separately in a vase. The shape is vivid, and after the top buds of each branch open leaves, it looks even more full of vitality, with a strong momentum of rising step by step;
(5) Thousand-hand fortune plate: first plant multiple lucky bamboo branches regularly in a plate, and weave them artificially during cultivation, shaped like Guanyin with a thousand hands, auspicious and wish-fulfilling;
(6) Bamboo basket: use straight branches to tie the base of the basket, and use 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 hollow in the middle, used for flower arrangement, and can also be matched with selected curved bamboo as a foil.
Feng shui function
Lucky bamboo tower is what we often call lucky bamboo, also called fortune tower, treasure tower, tower 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. The functions of 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. The emerald green color will make you feel pleasant in body and mind.
4. It can absorb harmful gases and dust indoors 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 principles.
The application range of plants in feng shui is very broad; some are used to block evil, and some are used to promote wealth. However, many people only half understand it and think that placing plants is definitely 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 you are going to take an exam, be promoted, or write next year, you can place four lucky bamboo stalks 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 in the wealth position should have large leaves; avoid planting plants with pointed, long leaves. Gardening and Flower Network reminds you: lucky bamboo should not be placed in the wealth position. Placing it in the wealth position or the evil position will only make the fortune worse. Many people misunderstand lucky bamboo as a feng shui item for improving wealth. In fact, this name was only added by people later. Placing lucky bamboo in the wealth position of the whole house will lead to losses in wealth luck.
Garden 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. However, the potting soil in flower pots often gives off an unpleasant smell, especially after applying flower fertilizer, and it also breeds small insects. In fact, growing some water-grown plants indoors 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 grown in potting soil;
Second, water-grown plants can omit the management work of potting soil, are clean and hygienic, and are simple to maintain;
Third, if some plants whose roots can be exposed to light are chosen and matched with suitable containers, the whole plant can be viewed, with 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 prosperity 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. "It is better to eat without meat than to 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 above two obvious home styles, lucky bamboo also has very prominent home functions in beauty and practicality. Plant one, and your home life arrangement will certainly surprise you. Growing some water-grown plants indoors has a better effect.
The flower language of lucky bamboo
Flowers bloom in wealth and honor, bamboo reports peace, a life of wealth and honor, great fortune and great profit, and pine, bamboo and plum blossom are the three friends of winter.
Lucky bamboo pictures