By Jovita Mirembe
Lucky Bamboo is a popular indoor plant that can grow hydroponically or in soil.
Lillian Katiso a gardener at Maua and More says hydroponics is a type of horticulture which involves growing plants without soil.
She says this is done by placing the plant in water where it grows and develops roots on its own.
The lucky bamboo plant is an air-purifying plant that is suitable for confined spaces such as offices, homes, hotels and restaurants.
The most suitable position to place your lucky bamboo is in a semi-shade or where it gets enough bright natural light in your house.
Direct sunlight causes the yellowing and burning of leaves. Katiso says the lucky bamboo plant also makes a perfect gift for your loved ones.
She says the Chinese believe the plant brings one good luck, good fortune, health and growth, which is why they named it lucky bamboo.
Propagation
Diana Mbabaali of Backyard Gardeners says propagating lucky bamboo is very easy and does not take much time.
“The easiest and fastest way of propagating lucky bamboo is by taking a cutting from a healthy stalk. After cutting off an offshoot from the main stalk, remove the leaves and place the offshoot in water until it grows roots of its own. You must change the water in a period of a fortnight or once it gets dirty, so as to eliminate the effects of stagnant water,” Mbaabail says.
She further says all forms of freshwater – especially rainwater – is preferred to give the roots the aeration they need as the oxygen escapes the stale stagnant water.
Mbabaali says if tap water is used in this case, it has to be left to settle overnight before the plant is placed in it.
She says in instances where the plant is grown in soil, the soil should be well-drained and in rich potting soil and it should be kept moist, but not soaked.
According to Mbabaali, some people think that because they have seen the plant thriving in water alone, they envision it surviving in soggy soil, which is not the case.
Soggy soils create room for roots to rot, hence leading to the death of the plant because of disease-causing bacteria.
Mbabaali adds that these plants are better planted in water because the ground causes them to lose their bamboo-like look.
Pests and diseases
Lucky bamboo is vulnerable to the same pest problems as other indoor tropical plants. They can be treated by picking off bugs or by any method you can use on any other indoor plant.
