Lucky Bamboo Water is Cloudy and Smelly - What Will Correct Problem?
Ask the Expert: PLEASE HELP, I HAVE HAD A BAMBOO IN A TALL GLASS VASE FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND IT WAS DOING FINE , NOW FOR NO REASON THE WATER STARTS TO GO CLOUDY AND AN AWFUL SMELL COMES FROM THE WATER LIKE ROTTEN EGGS, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO SAVE MY PLANT AS I KEEP CHANGING THE WATER MORE OFTEN NOW TO PREVENT THIS SMELL, OR HAS MY BAMBOO SEEN BETTER DAYS. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I CAN TRY. THANK YOU MR. S. HODGSON
October 1st, 2007 at 8:12 am
Mr. Hodgson,
If the lucky bamboo stem are still green and healthy, your problem can be solved simply by cleaning the container. Changing the water only will not remove the pathogen causing the problem. You will need to clean the container with a solution of bleach water. Use 4 parts water to one part bleach. Scrub the container with this solution and then triple rinse the container before you refill it with distilled water. Wipe your lucky bamboo with a damp cloth rinse the cloth before moving to a new stalk. This should take care of the problem.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:48 am
I agree with Jamie completely on her recommendation. In addition, I recommend you examine your bamboo stems for rot. Check to see that the stem is green, if it is brown and soft, then it is rotting. If this is the case, you can cut the rotting portion of the stem, separate it from the rest, and put it in a separate container to root. For the rest of the healthy stems, clip part of the roots, wash the whole bamboo then replace into the clean container and add enough fresh water.
This is based on my experience as a florist and a lucky bamboo enthusiast.