Hello all, I have a little bamboo stick, you know, the kind you see in flower shops which are cut and sitting in water. Well she has travelled a lot with me and I need some help. As you may have seen they grow the bamboo and then allow for one plume - if you will - of perhaps four leaves to offshoot at the end. My cat wasn't feeling well and ate all of her leaves. Now she is slowly turing yellow from the top down. Is there some way to encourage a new leaf growth? Or perhaps a way to get a sampling to start her over? Please, any advice is welcome!
Hey bamboofriend, If your cat is turning yellow, I think you had better take her to the veterinarian right away! Sorry, bamboofriend, I couldn't resist. But seriously, I think you mean the lucky bamboo, which is really a Draceana. There is a nice link and some good information in this earlier thread: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=6865 They don't like chlorinated or fluoridated water, so it is best to use rainwater, distilled water or at least water that has set for a few hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Good luck,
ahhahahaha! You made me laugh... no, my cat is in a perpetual state of being in heat, and is the cutest little girl around. Poor curly, the thread doesn't mention growing a new seedling or how to encourage new leaves! Good advice otherwise, but she is getting really sick... I thought for a second you were messing with me, my web name is LaFontaine... any other suggestions? : (
How long have you had your luck bamboo for? Does it have any roots? What's the colour of the stem - Yellowing? If the stem itself is starting to yellow, give it up, throw it away and get a new one. If the stem is still green and turgid, inspect the roots. The roots should be firm, pale yellow to light brown (depending on the age of it). If all of it is deep brown or dark, and the stem is still green, cut off the lower one inch or two, change the water, stick it back in and cross your fingers. If the roots are in good shape, change the water at least once every few days. Allow the water to stand in a separate container for several days before using it, if it's from chlorinated city supply. Add a quarter strength soluble fertiliser to the water once every 2 weeks. Give it a location with lots of light, but not direct sunlight. Away from drafts. Honestly, it's easier to just get a new one - they aren't pricey. (Unless you have a sentimental attachment to this one.) Those things are only meant to be treated as you would cut flowers. The longest surviving ones we have are about 1.5 years old.
