Crown Heights Florist

Questions About Lucky Bamboo

By: Jamie Jamison

Lucky Bamboo With Pebbles

Ask the Expert: A Few Questions About My Lucky Bamboo
and i been searching on the net to see just how to care for them, and i have been getting ALOT of different things pointed at me..

* I understand that they are hardy plants which dont like to be fussed with to much..
* I know they like destilled water over tap or spring
* I also know that you have clean/change the water and rocks in order for it to stay free of bacteria

My Questions Are However :

1. How often should you give it water? (once a week, 2 times a month?) – im totally confused!!

2. How often should you change/clean the rocks?

3. How much food should you give it, and when?

please let me know! like i said i have been reading alot of things online.. and im not sure what one to follow, please help  Janelle

Plant Expert Reply:

I understand your stress.   So I will try to give quick and uncomplicated answers.

Lucky Bamboo water requirement:  Give it enough water to maintain a consistent water level.  For me that means once a week for you it may be longer or shorter.  Tip: make a mark where you optimum water level should be – if the water drops 1/4″ below this mark add water.  For you I would make the mark right at the lip edge of your pot.

Keeping Lucky Bamboo clean:  If you keep all decaying plant material out of your container, you will only need to replace the water every couple of months.  The only time I would change or clean the rocks would be if a bacteria or algae conditions was occurring.

Feeding Lucky Bamboo:  I personally feed my lucky bamboo twice a year.  Lucky bamboo is slow growing and do not respond well to over-fertilization. If you feel that it needs more fertilizer, schedule fertilization once a quarter.

I hope this information helps to remove any confusion you might have about lucky bamboo.  Please keep me posted and let me know if you have other questions.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at 2:12 pm and is filed under Plant Care Questions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “Questions About Lucky Bamboo”

1. Janelle Says:
   August 28th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

   Thank you for all the help, in answering my questions it helped alot. like i said i had a lucky bamboo with 3 stalks, and one of the stalk turned yellow and died on me, lucky for me, i knew to clean the rocks, and remove it from the other 2 it seems the other 2 are doing just fine it seems to have caught bacteria, and when i did clean the rocks i did notice algae in the bottom of the holder, that is the ONLY time i ever changed the water and cleaned rocks in that one, thats why i didnt know if there was a certain amount of time you have to actually do that.
   I do have a question, you stated that you should only change the water every so many months, unless bacteria plays a part in it.. that i get, but how do you know when its time to change the water? will it smell or is there any other ways i could tell, its time to do a water change? as for algae, how can you tell there is any in the holder? i mean, i never thought anything was wrong with my plant until i actually seen the stalks go yellow, just looking into my container you would never know there was algae in there because it never came to surface or anything! BOTH of my bamboos were placed on the tv, and way up high so i could not look into it more carefully!
   I was instructed to give my plant (the old one) a few drops of feed every time i watered it, which was weekly.. which is possibly why it got sick, i grew more concerned about my new one because i didnt want to see it happen again, that is why im glad i found this site, and finally got all the answers i needed.. hopefully i know what to do, too keep my plant growing healthy and happy.. i will keep you posted! Thanks again for the help

2. Jamie Jamison Says:
   August 31st, 2009 at 7:32 am

   Knowing when to change the water is a bit tricky and will depend on the container the lucky bamboo is in. Clean containers allow sunlight exposure to the water. This can cause algae growth. Opaque containers usually inhibit algae growth. So a clean container may need the water changed once a month, where as an opaque container may not need to be changed for several months. If you are not sure when to change the water, it is ok to do it once a month. Be sure to use distilled water.

   I personally believe fertilizer is the root of most lucky bamboo problems. This plant grows slowly and doesn’t seem to need a large amount of nutrients to be healthy. So I like the twice year fertilizer method.

   Glad I could help. Keep me posted and let me know if you need anything else.

3. Joanne Says:
   August 31st, 2009 at 8:59 am

   Hi,

   I happened to find this thread about Lucky Bamboo which is great because I had all the same questions regarding when to feed it and water in and all that! Thanks!

   I do have another concern though…I received my Lucky Bamboo just a couple of weeks ago as a housewarming gift. However, there are a couple of leaves with this white gooey stuff on it. Does that eventually go away? Is it a natural occurence (similar to tree sap)? Do I need to be worried about it?

   Thanks!

4. Jamie Jamison Says:
   August 31st, 2009 at 9:41 am

   Is the gooey stuff seeping from the plant? Or is the gooey stuff just on the leaves and can easily be wiped off? The seeping could be a problem. The other could be something spilled on the plant and have nothing to do with the plant. If the gooey stuff is sticky, check for aphids (a small insect on the back side of the leaves). If it looks more like cotton, check for mealybugs. Send me a picture and I will identify the issue.

The Silent Flower Killer: Ethylene Gas

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Don’t let your flowers get snuffed out by the silent flower killer!!!

Perhaps that level of melodrama is a bit much, but I take sending beautiful flowers seriously. I recently learned the impact of ethylene gas on flowers. I admit that I learned it the hard way and was very upset by the results. *In my best Bugsy Malone voice* Here’s the scoop, see?

The most attractive, adorable, handsome man in the world gave me flowers for Valentines Day this year. He had purchased a bouquet of daisies and pink carnations. For those who do not know–which can’t be many by now–my favorite flowers are pink carnations. He bought that particular bouquet just because it was the only one available with carnations! But I digress.

I stayed in the home of a freight-train-chain smoker that night. Not a puff or two per day, but rather an all-encompassing fog of smoke. Picture Pigpen from Charlie Brown only surrounded by a cloud of smoke. That’s the level of ethylene gas that was in the house.

I am not a smoker. My flowers are not fond of the habit either. I had placed them in water with flower preservative, taking great care to trim the stems properly. Everything seemed normal when I fell asleep. However, I woke up the next morning to find my flowers droopy and almost dead! Frantically I questioned who you call when you want 9-1-1 for flowers.

What I did not know at the time was that the silent flower killer that nearly snuffed out MY flowers was ethylene gas. After researching the symptoms that my flowers had, I learned that ethylene gas present near flowers causes earlier disruption of life. This is not to say that smokers kill flowers. Not at all. The ethylene gas in the smoke however does combine with the naturally occurring ethylene gas production in the flowers. This combination is lethal in vast doses only. In smaller amounts, the results are much like what I experienced.

How Ethylene Gas Affects Fresh Flowers

Ethylene gas is a colorless and odorless gas so it’s almost impossible to detect. The symptoms of ethylene gas poisoning in flowers are much like those of overwatering or a lack of moisture. They are:

• Wilted flowers
• Petal drop
• Leaf drop
• Leaf browning
• Failure to open

We all want to receive healthy, lively flowers. There are many things that florists can do to prevent these symptoms from occurring in their flower arrangements. First, avoid exposing flowers to these producers of ethylene gas:

• Ripening fruit – keep lunch bags containing fresh fruit in a separate cooler;
• Cigarette smoke – ask patrons and employees to step outside for a puff
• Combustible engine exhaust – load delivery vans from the side or with the engine off if from back
• Excessive vibration during shipping – make sure arrangements are securely placed in delivery van

There are also many things that flower recipients can do to keep ethylene gas from ruining their morning like it did mine.

• Ripening fruit – do not keep flowers near an open bowl of fresh fruit.
• Cigarette smoke – while a few cigarettes a day will not kill flowers overnight, avoid smoking near the bouquet.
• Combustible engine exhaust – avoid holding flowers near the back of a running engine

Have a story about the first time this happened to you? Know other ways to prevent ethylene exposure from killing flowers? Feel free to share! We welcome your conversation.

Need To Spice Up Spring With Flower Decorating?

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

You see it all of the time in books and magazines, so why aren’t more people decorating their mantlepieces with flowers? The truth is that many people don’t consider it or put other items there. There is nothing wrong with family photos and mementos on the mantlepiece. However, decorating a mantlepiece with flowers is a great idea for those needing a flower decorating tip for spring and summer months.

Photo Credit: Petals A Florist in Atlanta Georgia

I know that it seems odd to think about the mantlepiece during the spring and summer. After all, it’s definitely a winter fixture in the home. But you know, who wants to look at a boring empty mantlepiece all spring? Spice it up!! Add flare to it with flowers from your local florist. From a home decor perspective, here are two reasons why you will be glad that you chose flowers to enhance your mantlepiece.

Decorating the mantlepiece with flowers adds color to the room. Colorful flower arrangements are eye-catching no matter where they are placed. Setting them on the mantle surrounded by votive candles, family portraits or unique mementos will quickly draw the eye in this direction.

Flowers help draw attention to the fireplace and that side of the room. If the theme of the room centers around that fireplace, why not play it up all year round? Decorating it with flowers will help during the spring and summer months.

You can’t go wrong when you decorate with flowers. The beauty of decorating your mantlepiece with flowers is that you get to enjoy their beauty while giving life to the fireplace for more than just three or four months out of the year. When it’s time to put out the fire, light up the room with flowers from your local florist.

Posted in Design Techniques, Flower Suggestions, Tips & Tricks |

The Secret To Creating Unique Containers

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

The secret to creating unique containers is…

*drumroll*

Imagination. Indeed, imagination mixed with a little bit of creativity is the secret to creating some of the most fabulously unique containers for all of your arrangements. The most valued vases aren’t the ones that are the biggest and the brightest (necessarily) but rather the ones that express the most unmatched and distinctive qualities.

Creating your own containers and vases is an excellent cost saving measure because it spares the fancy price tag of buying a set amount of someone else’s creations. Better still, each vase or  container becomes instantly one-of-a-kind. There may be similar ones crafted by your own hand, but no two are exactly alike. What a great selling point for a unique gift idea!

Creating Unique Vases Step By Step

There are many ways to design and create your own unique vases. To get you started, here is a technique that many florists have found to be an eye-catching design to customers.

Ribbon is a staple item in local flower shops. It brightens an arrangement and adds color where more is needed. It softens the appeal of the bouquet while adding a very distinctive look. There is, however, another way that ribbon is being used that draws on these well-known qualities. Wrapping ribbon around the vase or container is becoming very popular. Not necessarily covering the entire outside of the vase, a small amount of ribbon can be wrapped around the vase to make a very pretty and distinctive pattern. This enhances the beauty of the flower arrangement while adding an extra pop of color and style. Take a look!

Begin by wrapping the ribbon around the base of the vase.

The fun part is in creating these little twists which make the ribbon look like pretty bows!

Form a bow by twisting the two ends of the ribbon around each other over the center of the vase, making sure to line up the knot with the others.

After twisting to form the knot, pull both ends tightly. Maintain pressure while wrapping around again or the knot will loosen and come undone.

Continue to wrap and tie until the top is reached.

Trim the edges of the ribbon and then you have…

The Perfect Creative Vase

Like what you see? Find another great tip for creating your own unique vases in this month’s Aspects of Design post.

Posted in Design Techniques, Tips & Tricks

Handy Tips For Fresh Cut Spring Flowers

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Yesterday , I notice several things popping up in my garden. The daffodils were in full bloom and the tulips were making their way out of the soil. So many times on the  Blog, we talk about what to do with flowers we receive from a florist. These flowers come prepared and the only thing that needs to be done is to figure out where to place them. Of course, you have to refresh the water and occasionally re-cut them. Mostly, you just sit back and enjoy them.

But, what if you want to cut flowers from your garden and bring them inside. Just like a florist, you will need to prepare your flowers to ensure that they last. A few weeks back, I read a blog post  which detailed the very steps needed to ensure that the spring flowers brought in from the garden would last.

How do you care for fresh cut spring flowers?

Let Crown Heights Florist show you to create wonderful flowers, that last.

Like most flowers, stems of spring bulb flowers should be cut on an angle to increase surface area. It is best to try and cutting stems under water to prevent air bubbles from forming in the stems. Trim about 1 inch of each stem every few days,this will help to make sure the flowers receive enough water.

Use floral preservative each time you change your water. Clean, fresh water is the most important thing you can do to keep cut flowers looking fresh. If you are out of floral preservative try using one part sprite ( or similar, clear colored soda) to 3 parts of water 2 tablespoons lemon or orange juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water . This will give you the sugar, citric acid and bleach that will help keep the flowers fresh and free of bacteria.

Spring flowers are sensitive to ethylene, so keep fruits and vegetables away from any flowers you may have displayed on your kitchen counter or table.

Daffodils: When cut the stems secrete sap. They are best used in a vase with all daffodils so that the sap will not clog the stems of the other types of flowers arranged with it. Or if you want to mike then with other spring flowers it is best to keep them separate for several hours, then rinse their stems and change the water in the vase.

Freesia: Removing older flowers on freesia stems this will help to open the closed buds. Hyacinth: The stems should show white on the ends, which you can trim off. Hyacinth stems will grow, and continue to open after they are cut.

Lily: Always remove the pollen from lily blooms. To avoid staining the petals with pollen, remove anthers when the bloom is just starting to open before the pollen is fully developed and dry.

Tulips: stems continue to grow for about a day, and can grow up to another inch and their blooms will open in daylight and close up when placed in the dark. Place tulips in even light or rotate them every other day for even growing.

I didn’t think about rotating my tulips. I’m going to try that when mine are ready to cut.

Quick and Easy Flower Decorating Ideas For Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Harvest Halo Fall Centerpice

Since Thanksgiving is only a few days away, here are a few quick and easy ideas for decorating your house with flowers. With a dash of creativity and the help of a local florist, these simple flower decorating tips will your guests making plans to celebrate at your house next year.

1.  Decorate the mantelpiece with colorful fall flowers. When your loved ones gather around the fire, everyone will love the way that the light of the fire accentuates the beautiful shades of your amber, red, brown and burgundy fall flowers. A few miniature pumpkins and gourds will give this mantelpiece a finishing touch that can be carried over through the rest of the fall season.

2.  Liven up the dinner table with a Thanksgiving centerpiece our florist. Having your florist create a colorful centerpiece saves you time and effort but still allows you to add some personal touches once you arrive at home.

3.  Hallway tables, unobtrusive corners and other places are often overlooked. This Thanksgiving, turn your whole house into the place to celebrate by brightening these nooks with arrangements of fall flowers or buying a houseplant from our flower shop.

4.  Where tablecloths and runners begin the decorations of the food table, finish it off with a few vines of ivy or ask your local florist to create an elongated floral centerpiece. The dimensions of these will draw the eye to the ends of the table, giving the mind a chance to enjoy a glance at the many delicious foods.

Posted in Tips & Tricks

One Can’t-Miss Flower Sending Tip For November

Monday, November 17th, 2008