Grow a Fortune Bamboo
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. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Place the fortune bamboo plant where it will receive bright but indirect light. Make sure that the temperature never drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. 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.
6. Uncover the plant and turn it clockwise about an eighth of a turn once each week. Put the box back over the plant.
7. 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.
Tags: fortune bamboo, bamboo plant, cover plant, fortune bamboo, fortune bamboo plant, Grow Fortune