Why do Lucky Bamboo Stems Turn Yellow?
Ask the Expert: Lucky Bamboo……….I understand about leaves turning yellow because of water but what about stems beginning to turn yellow? Can I cut a healthy stem just below the “knuckle” or joint and grow a new plant? Thank you Stephen
Stephen,
The yellow stalks are usually caused by over fertilization. Too much fertilizer can caused the stem cells to burst thus causing irreparable damage. The chlorine and other chemicals in the water can also cause stem damage. When the stem turn yellow, I suggest that you start new ones. Cut the stem off above the yellow an inch above a node (knuckle) and dip the top in rooting hormone; let dry overnight; place in fresh distilled water. You should see new roots in a couple of weeks.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
yes i have a quick question i have been selling the bamboo in my shop and a customer said that if you bunch the bamboo in diffrent groups that it means diffrent things. so as 1 is money 2 is for health. i told them i would try to find out. do you have the answer or know where i can go to find out. thanks for your time
terry mccool somethin or nothin.
December 27th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Terry
According to Feng Shui practices groups of lucky bamboo do mean different things.
2 stalks = Love
3 or 6 stalks = happiness
5 or 7 stalks = health
8 stalks = wealth
9 stalks = general good fortune
21 stalks = blessings
Hopefully your customer will find this information helpful.
June 19th, 2008 at 7:19 am
i brouught a lucky bamboo ,but 2 out of 21 stems lost , what do i do, can i brought another or can i replace the decay stems
thank u
sreeejith
June 19th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Sreejith,
If you want to keep the amount of stalks at 21 to represent “blessing”, you can purchase two single stalks and add them to the ones you already have. When you do this I would change the water in the container. Make sure you use distilled water or tap water that has been in an open container for twenty four hours.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I have a bamboo plant and it only has two stems.. its in a shape of a heart, but one of the stems is yellow can I save it!! and the other things is that its not even mine.. im taking care of it for my boyfriend.. and he will be angry if it dies.. please help!!!
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Adela,
If the stem is yellow and soft you can’t save it. The best you can do is remove it from the other stem and save the other stem. When did it start turning yellow? Did you do anything such as fertilizing it recently. If so you gave it too much fertilizer. Empty the water out of the container and refill with distilled water. This might help if the stalk isn’t mushy already.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Adela,
Read this post it might help http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/we-are-not-always-lucky-with-lucky-bamboo
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
My lucky bamboo is turning yellow on the stalk part. I changed the water and added a some plant food. It has been kept in indirect light and the water level maintained. How can I get the bamboo back to a healthy green again? Any information and help would be appreciated.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
What does 4 stalks mean?
July 10th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
In the Chinese culture 4 is an unlucky number. So they would remove one of the stalks to make the container represent happiness.