bamboo...?

[GT40_GearHead]

yeah, bamboo...

its about an year since I've got mine, actually my girlfriend gave it to my as gift ! I must say i really like it

but i have a question or two..

what do you feed the thing??? the flower shop told me it only needs water, is that true ?

do you trim it ?

how exactly do you care for it ?

where should you put in regard to sunlight ?

and the most important question.... HOW DO YOU MAKE IT GROW BIG ? like huge BIG

[jdbnsn]

I had some bamboo plants years ago that lived quite well with exposure to sunlight at least 3-4 hours a day (just place it near a window). One important thing is make sure the base is always submerged in water. I used a tall slender vase and kept 3-4" water in at all times. The stems never grew an inch, but the leaves grew several feet in height.

[tybrenis]

Bamboo grows like a weed around here.

"Oh honey, look how cool this bamboo is! Let's just plant a little cute bamboo stick in our backyard...."

*10 years later*

"What the hell were we thinking when we planted that bamboo monster?! We've lost our house, we've been sued by the neighbors who've lost their houses to the invasion of the bamboo, we have NOTHING!!!" *falls into gutter and passes out in the pouring rain*

[AJ@PR]

*falls into gutter and passes out in the pouring rain*

And the bamboo didn't even had the common coutesy of giving him some cover from the rain!

It's a shame.
Those bamboos with their wierd names and stuff...
Only koalas grow in bamboos.
And those eat 'em.
So they're balanced.
Sort of.



Have you tried fertilizers? 20-20-20?

[Airbozo]

...as ty eluded, do never plant bamboo in your yard unless you want to be over grown by it. Some municipalities even have laws preventing homeowners from planting it on their property. In our area, they discourage the planting of bamboo and the local environmental agency (the one that oversees the streams and creeks) will fine you and force-ably remove the bamboo if you do not, if you plant it within a certain distance of any riparian corridor (streams and creeks). If you _must_ plant it, dig a deep hole, then line it with chicken wire and fibreglass insulation, then plant the bamboo.

[AJ@PR]

Somehow, I think GT40's bamboo is small... and indoors... the type you pick-up with one hand and move over there.

=\
Not sure.
:)

[jdbnsn]

That makes me wonder, I have often heard that bamboo is the fastest growing plant known to man. So why in 3 years didn't mine grow at all? Are the indoor versions modified to disable stalk growth?

[FrooP]

i got one also, in a wine bottle filled with water, got some leaves but it wont grow *cries* my sister got one also, also in a water filled vase, hers is way beatuifuller than mine is, only thing is shes living under the foor=warm so i think it needs sunlight water and temperature

[AJ@PR]

That makes me wonder, I have often heard that bamboo is the fastest growing plant known to man. So why in 3 years didn't mine grow at all? Are the indoor versions modified to disable stalk growth?

I did not know that... but I do know that some species of kelp grow at over 3 inches per hour.
Yikes!

A kelp plant, maybe?

[FrooP]

the top of mine is covered in wax, i think i remember someone said that thios should stop theyr growing but dunno if im right

[Ironcat]

What is Lucky Bamboo?

Known for centuries as Lucky Bamboo, the plant is not a bamboo at all (botanical name: Dracaena) but a resilient member of the lily family that grows in the dark, tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa.

How Much Care Does Lucky Bamboo Need?

Keep water fresh by changing it every week, and always keep water levels at approximately an inch from the base of the canes. Lucky Bamboo prefers plenty of indirect sunlight and room temperatures at 65-70o. Although opinions differ on feeding, your Lucky Bamboo is a living organism, so it makes sense to occasionally add a mild solution to the water such as African Violet fertilizer. Since growth can be controlled by feeding, small amounts of fertilizer will keep the plant at a manageable size.

Why Are the Leaves Turning Yellow?

Two of the most common factors are 1.) too much direct sunlight; and 2.) too salty or heavily-flouridated tap water. Give your new Lucky Bamboo a thriving start be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight, and water only with filtered or natural spring water.

Why Is It Called "Lucky" Bamboo?

Along with its ease of growth, Lucky Bamboo has long been associated with the Eastern practice of Feng Shui - or the bringing of natural elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal into balance within the environment. Lucky Bamboo is believed to be an ideal example of the thriving wood and water element, with the addition of a red ribbon sometimes tied around the stalks - which is believed to "fire" the positive flow of energy or chi in the room.

The number of stalks also has meaning : three stalks for happiness; five stalks for wealth; six stalks for health. Four stalks, however, are always avoided since the word "four" in Chinese sounds too similar to the Chinese word for "death"!

Can I Take Cuttings from Lucky Bamboo?

Yes. New stalks can be propagated from the original plant by using a sharp knife to cut through a stalk - just below the joint. Place the cutting in fresh, clean water. A fine mist spray to stalks is sometimes suggested to stimulate new bud growth.

How Do I Repot Bamboo?

Like any other houseplant, Lucky Bamboo can be transferred to a vase or pot 2" larger than the original, or planted permanently into a loose sand or soil mixture that provides lots of bottom drainage. To avoid root rot, be careful to let the top of the soil dry out between waterings.

[AJ@PR]

IronCat, what's the meaning of life?

[Redundant]

*10 years later*
"What the hell were we thinking when we planted that bamboo monster?! We've lost our house, we've been sued by the neighbors who've lost their houses to the invasion of the bamboo, we have NOTHING!!!" *falls into gutter and passes out in the pouring rain*
LMAO. :D

That makes me wonder, I have often heard that bamboo is the fastest growing plant known to man. So why in 3 years didn't mine grow at all? Are the indoor versions modified to disable stalk growth?
I heard if you overclock it, it will grow faster. The control center should be near the base.

What is Lucky Bamboo?
What? Not written by you? No source? No link? Plagiarism! :devious: [/sarcasm]

[Aero]

IronCat, what's the meaning of life?

before someone else says it: 42


Now if you will escuse me, I must tend to my bamboo plant that hasn't grown in 3 years.

[Eclecticos]

I have 15 Lucky Bamboo Plants

I have them in Grow Gel.
It started to outgrow the lamp so I put it up on some tape rolls :D

If you add to much fertilizer it turns neon yellow and dies.
I just add water. .and it grows. Thats it.

[GT40_GearHead]

WOOOW i leave for a day and i find my thread growing like a kelp :D

ironcat came with some interesting info !
so what you are saying is, i actually don't have a bamboo ? interesting :-?

on a different note: bamboo would never "eat" you here -15 winters would sure halt its intentions lol

thanks for all the info guys !


PS: POST YOUR BAMBOO/PSEUDO BAMBOO pics :D
PPS: +rep to all

[Ironcat]

Plagiarism is passing off someone else's written work as your own...

I was just passing along some friendly information.

[GT40_GearHead]

i think Redundant simply made a little joke, the info was much appreciated !

[Twigsoffury]

That makes me wonder, I have often heard that bamboo is the fastest growing plant known to man. So why in 3 years didn't mine grow at all? Are the indoor versions modified to disable stalk growth?


Sea Kelp is in fact the fastest growing plant in the world. Although I swear its really the damn grass in my backyard.

Bamboo isnt really anything special. Give it a half tablespoon of food every two or three weeks. maybe less just depends on how it takes to it. Mirclegrow is safe for the bamboo also.

[edit]

My buddys dad has a GT-40 it's blue with a white stripes..

lol it's not all that fast. I've seen a 1983 280ZX that is a whole hell of alot faster... now it had a twin turbo V6 inside making ridiculous amounts of horsepower.... but still lol.

it also wont out grow its container. so the reason why it may be staying small or the stalk is skinny.. you've got it in a small pot. try a 5-8 gallon container and see how it grows. bamboo is a "partial shade plant" so setting it by a window or outside a couple hours a day is also good for it. DO NOT SUBMERGE the bottom of the plant in water. you'll drown it. another thing to try. try a plant light and put it about 1 foot above the top of the plant. since plants tend to bend and grow towards the direction of the sun they'll grow straight up uber fast. bamboo is really the third fastest growing plant 1. is the kelp 2. is some crazy arse jungle vine plant that grows in argentina 3. is chinese bamboo the stuff pandas eat. it can grow as much as a foot per day depending on the conditions.


basicly just treat it like any other plant. give it some mircle grow. water and give it some sun.