I hope I am posting in the right forum. Here is my dilema. I have this "lucky Bamboo" plant that I have had for 3 years now. Its been growing just fine with no yellow on the plant in the 3 years that I have had it. I have used bottled water for these 3 years with no problems. Plus I have had this plant on top of my computer desk with no problems. Now that I have transplanted the plant from the little frog conatiner it was in to a little bigger clear see thru glass container, I am now starting to get yellow leaves and I need to figure out why this is occuring as I have changed nothing about the care of the plant besides different containers. Maybe more water in this new container is not a good idea??? Can these types of plants be planted with potting soil or something like that? I much rather have that than just plain rocks. Would someone plz send maybe some kind of resolution to my problem and to also let me know if this can be planted with potting soil. Plus can I buy some sort of nutrients to add to the plant no matter what im using" rocks or potting soil" and if so what kind of nutrients is better to use....Don't want to lose this plant at all....
The "Lucky Bamboo", or "Ribbon Plant", is known to collectors as Dracaena sanderiana. However, I just did some additional research and learned from the Royal Botanic Garden Kew the correct name is Dracaena braunii Engl.. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do;jsessionid=552FB16A2B6E8DDB74BBDFCB8853772B Collectors often love to use a name that is only a synonym of the accepted name and in this case that accepted name was first published in 1892. The popular name is considered only a synonym of the accepted name since it was published the following year (1893). Since they are one and the same plant, and are variable, they don't always look alike. In botany the first published name becomes the accepted name. It is often grown by followers of the ancient oriental art of Feng Shui. Growers of this oriental gardening technique use the plant but they don't grow it in water instead they grow it in soil. Growing the plant is considered to have the capacity to create a space where you feel safe and energized. Whether or not it brings luck to the grower is open to interpretation. The way the plant is commonly sold, and grown in many homes in water but that may determine if the plant itself will eventually be lucky, or perhaps unlucky. Since many try to grow it in water, the plant's luck may be doomed from the start since it is not an aquatic plant. It is simply a plant that can survive the wet rainy season in standing water. Dracaena braunii is found growing in the tropical rain forests of Cameroon in west Africa. It grows naturally in moderately bright light in the understory (area beneath the canopy) of the rain forest. Some say it "can't" grow tall but during my research I found photos of the plant at six to eight feet in height and it is relatively attractive with its ribbon edge. It looks very little like the "bamboo" canes you buy it in the store, largely because it isn't a bamboo or palm as some folks insist. According to TROPICOS, a service of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the species is a member of the lily family. Growers in southern Florida who plant it in their yards have produced plants that are quite attractive. However, it is tropical, so don't try to plant it outdoors in colder climates. The "Lucky Bamboo" is frequently marketed and "grown" as a hydroponics plant, in a decorative jar including colored rock or marbles to keep the plant standing upright. Sometimes aquarium stores will sell one with a Beta fish inside the jar and claim the plant produces food for the fish and the fish provides nutrients to the plant. Both are highly doubtful. It is rarely sold, at least in discount stores, in soil. The plants was not intended by Mother Nature to grow exclusively in water. Common "ivy" such as juvenile Philodendron and Epipremnum (Pothos) species will also survive for extended periods of time in water but they don't normally grow that way in the rain forest. In the forest they are found rooted in soil and almost always climbing high into a tree. Dracaena braunii is a relative of the commonly grown "Corn Plant": Dracaena fragrans. Dracaena will do better, and is actually much less difficult to maintain, if grown as it does naturally, in soil. One reason is Dracaena species are easily affected, and sometimes killed, by fluoride. Since you are using bottled water that does not appear to be the problem. However, you must be certain to make sure the water stays clear. Fog in the water is a sign of bacteria and that bacteria, can and will, attack the plant. Typically, people soon tire of constantly doing that routine every few days and soon just begin draw water out of the tap. Almost inevitably, the plant will begin to decline. Generally, rain forest species grow in very loose, fast draining soil. The majority enjoy damp roots, but not wet. The soil needs to drain quickly so off the shelf potting soil just won't work. You can use a "moisture control" soil mix and then add a handful of orchid bark and gravel such as found in Schultz™ orchid potting mix to help keep the soil loose. A good helping of Perlite™ will also be beneficial as will some finely shredded sphagnum moss. When you mix all that you have just created a home made jungle soil. Keep the soil damp, but not soggy. Your "Lucky Bamboo" will do best if kept in bright indirect, but not direct sun. . I hope this helps.
