Fortune Bamboo (also called Lucky Bamboo) Refer to as Kai Yun Zhu in Chinese, meaning bamboo that invites

good fortune. This plant is often used for fengshui purposes, as it is believed that they will bring prosperity, fortune and happiness to the household. Mostly from Taiwan and come in many different shapes and sizes.
Use of Feng Shui Lucky Bamboo as a Feng Shui Cure: Lucky Bamboo is one of the most popular feng shui cures. You can see feng shui lucky bamboo in most floral shops nowadays. However, the feng shui lucky bamboo is one of the most neglected feng shui cures, too! I have seen countless and countless of feng shui "lucky" bamboo that are struggling for life, have a poor neglected look, and the only luck in them is the "lucky to be alive" factor! Even though easy to care for and a very tolerant plant, the feng shui bamboo still needs your love and attention, as it likes to look good, just like you do. Do not be afraid to touch your lucky bamboo and take good care of it. Ultimately, feng shui bamboo is considered lucky because of its peaceful vitality and strong growth. So why is Feng Shui Lucky Bamboo considered lucky? Bamboo in itself is an amazing plant that brings a very peaceful and wise energy into your home. It teaches the ultimate wisdom: how to be flexible and hollow (open) on the inside, so that the spirit can freely flow and heal your being. y If you are lucky enough to have bamboo growing in your garden, you know how soothing, almost transcendental, the sound of it is. The same is true for bamboo feng shui wind chimes, as well as the energy of bamboo floors. Generally, here is why this specific feng shui cure is considered lucky (and I will let you compare for yourself and define if the feng shui lucky bamboo you bought from the corner store fits into this category.)

>> Compare Prices on Feng Shui Lucky Bamboo A little indoor bamboo plant is considered lucky in feng shui when it combines/represents allfive feng shui elements, which are: Wood - the Bamboo itself Earth - the Rocks the Bamboo grows in Water - the Water the Bamboo grows with Fire - most pots usually have a red ribbon tied to them Metal - the glass pots belong to the feng shui Metal element. If the Feng Shui Lucky Bamboo is planted in a pot other than glass, such as clay or ceramics, it will usually have either a metal coin, or a metal figurine with it. Usually you will buy (or make) this feng shui cure with a specific number of bamboo stalks, most popular ones being: y 3 for Happiness y 5 for Health y 2 for Love & Marriage y 8 for Wealth and Abundance y 9 for Good Fortune.

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You don't have to look very hard to find lucky bamboo nowadays. These plants pop up in offices, on desks, in businesses, and in homes pretty much everywhere. An important part of feng shui, lucky bamboo plants are said to bring good luck and fortune, especially if the plants were given as gifts. It also helps that they have a well-earned reputation as nearly indestructible. These tough stalks can survive in vases of pure water or in soil, and in a wide variety of light conditions. Even a poorly kept lucky bamboo plant will live for a long time before it finally succumbs. The vast majority of lucky bamboo plants are shipped in from Taiwan or China, where professional growers braid and twist and curl their stalks into a multitude of shapes. The more intricate lucky bamboo plants can cost hundreds of dollars and feature twenty or more individual stalks. More commonly, though, lucky bamboo plants in simple pots can be had for as little as $10 for a three-stalk bundle. Technically, lucky bamboo is not bamboo at all, but a species called Dracaena sanderiana. Although most are grown hydroponically (in water), lucky bamboo can be potted up in soil. One final caution: lucky bamboo leaves are mildly toxic, so they should not be kept in a place where pets or children are likely to snack on them. Caring for Your Lucky Bamboo Light: Lucky bamboo prefer bright, filtered sunlight, such as found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. They are more tolerant of too little light than too much. If the plant begins to stretch, however, or the green fades, provide more light. Watering: Lucky bamboo can grow indefinitely in a simple vase filled with pebbles (for support) and at least an inch of water. However, they are very sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals commonly found in tap water. Water your lucky bamboo only with bottled or distilled water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate. Healthy lucky bamboo roots are red, so don't be alarmed in a glass vase if you can see red roots. Finally, good hygiene recommends that you change the water weekly. Temperature: Lucky bamboo likes warmer temperatures of between 65F and 90F. Do not place the plants in front of air conditioning or heating vents. Potting Media: In addition to water, lucky bamboo can be grown in a well-drained, rich potting soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking. Water as you would any Dracaena species. Fertilizer: Plants grown in water will only need to be fed every other month or so, using a very weak liquid fertilizer. A single drop of liquid fertilizer is plenty for most lucky bamboo arrangements. Alternatively, specialty lucky bamboo fertilizers are available. Trimming and Shaping Your Lucky Bamboo Despite its intricate appearance, lucky bamboo is not shaped in the same way as bonsai, with plant wire and judicious trimming. Rather, they are shaped by rotating the plant stalks in front of a light source, thus causing the plant to naturally grow toward the light. In China, the stalks are often grown on their sides to cause the distinctive spiral. At home, this is a laborious process, but it can be accomplished by placing the plants under a

three-sided box and paying close attention to its growth rate, rotating the plant slowly and regularly. Be patient, as it can take a while to get it right. Trimming, however, is an important part of keeping your lucky bamboo healthy. Over time, most plants will become top heavy, or intricate shapes will begin to lose their form. In general, it's not a good idea to cut the main stalk of a lucky bamboo. Instead, cut the offshoots with sterile snippers. You can trim offshoots back to within an inch or two of the main stem. New shoots will soon emerge, and the resulting plant will be bushier. To discourage new growth, dip the cut end in parafin. If you want to change its shape dramatically, you can cut a whole offshoot flush against the main stalk. A tan scar will result, and new shoots may or may not emerge from the cut. Don't throw the trimmings away, as they can be used to propagate new lucky bamboo plants. If you need to trim a main stalk for some reason, new shoots will emerge from below the cut, and the top portionassuming it's healthycan be used to start a new plant. Common Problems with Lucky Bamboo The most common mistakes related to lucky bamboo are usually connected to the water. Chlorinated water will kill them over time, and water that is dirty or infected with bacteria can be deadly. If a plant develops black roots, these should be cut away. Similarly, dead leaves should never be allowed to rot in the water as they might introduce bacteria. Practice good water hygiene by changing water every week with distilled or bottled water. If algae is growing in the water, it's usually because the plant is potted in a clear vase, allowing light to penetrate and encouraging algae growth. Just clean it out and start again, switching to an opaque container if algae is a persistent problem. Leaves that are yellow usually indicate too much sun or too much fertilizer. Cut out the fertilizer and move the plant to a shadier location. Brown leaves usually indicate dry air or polluted water. Raise the humidity level by spraying the plant regularly and make sure you're using the appropriate water. If the stalks themselves begin to rot or turn mushy, they are likely beyond saving. Worse yet, decaying stalks threaten any other stalks they are close to. Remove them at once. If you really want to save it, cut away the yellow parts and try to root the trimmed stalk in new water. Finally, lucky bamboo are susceptible to the same insect problems as other indoor tropical plants. They can be treated manually (picking off bugs) or by the same methods you'd use on any other indoor plant.

Fortune bamboo, also known as lucky bamboo, is not really related to bamboo at all. Rather, it's a dracaena, and like many other members of the lily family, it occurs naturally in very shady tropical rain forests. Native to Africa and Asia, the fortune bamboo plant makes an ideal houseplant. It requires almost nothing in the way of care and thrives in even low-light household conditions. Soil isn't an issue as this interesting living conversation piece grows quite happily in plain water.

Instructions
Things You'll Need
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1. Clear glass vase Small decorative stones Distilled water Cardboard box (optional) big enough to cover the plant

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Cover the bottom of the inside of a clear glass vase with about 1/2 inch of small decorative stones. The fortune bamboo likes lots of room, so make sure to leave two to three inches between the roots and the inside of the container.

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Set the bamboo cane vertically into the center of the vase so that the bottom of it rests on the stones. Add one to two inches of distilled water, which is free of the impurities present in ordinary tap water.

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Add more stones around the plant's stalk to a depth of about two to three inches to secure the fortune bamboo into position. This will keep its roots from becoming flattened on the bottom of the container and will give it balance and stability.

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Place the fortune bamboo plant where it will receive bright but indirect light. Make sure that the temperature never drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut a hole several inches in diameter about 2 inches from the bottom of any side of a cardboard box that is tall enough to cover the plant without the stalk or leaves touching it. Turn the box upside down and cover the plant with it.

Positioning the side of the box with the hole in it facing the light source so that light will reach the plant only from the hole will train your fortune bamboo's stalk to grow, or to continue growing, in a spiral.

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Uncover the plant and turn it clockwise about an eighth of a turn once each week. Put the box back over the plant.

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Remove the fortune bamboo and the stones from the container to change the water once a month. Gently rinse the plant's roots in clean water. Wash the container and the stones with mild detergent and rinse them well. Replace the plant and stones in the container and add fresh water.
Dracaena sanderiana Lucky Bamboo AGAVACEAE It's All the Rage! By now, if you haven't seen it in the florist or plant nurseries, you will. 'Lucky Bamboo' or 'Fortune Bamboo'. It's part of the Feng Shui way of life. 'Lucky Bamboo' isn't bamboo at all. It's botanically know as Dracaena Sanderiana: commonly known as the ribbon plant. It will grow in water like cut flowers. It grows in 1/2 inch to two inches of water. Change the water every couple of weeks. It is not necessary to fertilize the plant but a diluted watersoluble fertilizer can be used. This plant prefers bright light, but not direct sunlight. Does well in low and fluorescent light. Room temperature no lower than 55 degrees F. Place it away from air conditioning and heaters. When the Chinese New Year arrives, a special occasion, or the purchase of a new home, 'Lucky Bamboo' is given. New to you? It's fun and exciting to watch grow; and will last for years. It's interesting, fun and a great conversation piece. Enjoy it. Propagation When we owned a retail store we sold many "Lucky Bamboo" and we had a lot of chances to experiment with propagation. We never had any success at propagation from the stems that you buy as the lucky bamboo. Putting a stem in water may generate some roots, but the plants did not seem to put out any new leaves. If we knocked a leaf shoot off a stem, putting the shoot in water, it would grow roots. It would grow well. However, never generate a thick stem. If you want to experiment, just cut about one inch below the node for more roots to form when dividing a piece. However, growing more leaves is the luck of the draw. They pop out by the nodes and I suspect being root bound and having some age or maturity to the plant will help.

Emily: My lucky bamboo is turning yellow. Dear Emily: I was searching the web to try to figure out what has made my lucky bamboo sick. Two stalks have already died. A: Yes, the 'lucky bamboo' may start dying when it starts to turn yellow. Once that happens I am afraid it is a goner. We never could figure out what caused the stalks to turn yellow, either poor water, too much sunlight (doubtful, that causes the plant to wither and do poorly, but does not cause the stalks to yellow), too cold, or something else. It does not seem to spread to other stalks, but we're not sure about that, either.

Emily: My leaves are turning yellow.

Dear Emily: Why are my lucky bamboo leaves turning yellow? A: The leaves turning yellow may not be the same as your stalk turning. Leaves could turn yellow because of direct sunlight, or too little water. Too much water is usually not the problem since the plant sits in water. So if your plant is not dried out, try moving it out of direct sunlight.