You probably picture a small bamboo plant growing in a container if you think about lucky bamboo plants.While this is usually the case, lucky bamboo plants can grow up to 5 feet tall and the leaves can reach 18 cm long.If you like, you can even save the bamboo that is lucky to start a new plant.
Step 1: Before you trim the plant, make sure you wash your shears.
If you don't clean the shears before trimming, bamboo plants can become infections.It only takes a minute.Take your garden shears and dip a cloth in alcohol.You can wipe it on both sides of the blades.Don't have shears?As long as you keep them clean, regular scissors are fine.Keep a few packets of alcohol wipes near your garden supplies.
Step 2: Cut off leaves that have yellow tips.
If the plant isn't getting enough water or is getting too much sunlight, the leaves can turn yellow.If you want to cut the leaves off where they meet the stalks, take disinfected shears or scissors.It's important to cut the whole leaf.This is due to the fact that partially trimming the leaf can make your plant sick.The cause of the yellow leaves should be addressed.Fresh water should be kept in a container for at least 4 inches (10 cm) and put in indirect light.
Step 3: As the plant grows, pull dead leaves away.
If you notice dead, dry leaves on your plant, it's easy to panic, but don't worry!As new growth comes in, dying leaves are normal.You can pull the leaves off of the stalks if the plant is putting out healthy growth.Once you trim the dead leaves, your plant will look better.
Step 4: If you want to shorten the bamboo, cut straight across the top of the plant.
Topping means cutting off the leaves and the stalks.If you want the plant to fill out, topping is a good idea.Take disinfected shears and top your plant.You can decide how much you want to cut off.The shoots will come right below the cut you made.Want to give your bamboo a trim?You don't have to remove the top of the stalks.Remove the leaves from the plant.
Step 5: Perennials look straggly.
As bamboo grows, it puts on leafy shoots.If your plant is looking too bushy for your liking, you can clip off the shoot from the main stalks.Don't want them to grow back?No problem!Cut the part where the main stalks meet.
Step 6: Throw away stalks that are hard to pick up.
Lucky bamboo plants can rot if you don't change their water.Work fast if this happens.If you can't nurse the stalks back to health, they could make other stalks sick.You can heal the stalks if you cut off the yellow parts and put them in a container with fresh water.
Step 7: Cut the leaves from the bamboo.
You can choose a bamboo that has at least 2 nodes and a leaf that's 10 cm long.Cut the part where it meets the stalks with disinfected shears.The bamboo stalks have rings or joints around them.
Step 8: To get a straight edge, trim the bottom of the spinoff.
Pull off the leaves near the base so you can see the new stalks.Use shears to cut across the bottom so the stem isn't at an angle.If you don't do this step, you'll have a hard time getting your bamboo to stay upright in its new container.
Step 9: The cutting needs to be put into a jar.
Add a layer of pebbles to the bottom of the jar or container by filling it with 10 cm of distilled water.Cut straight into the pebbles.The pebbles anchor the cutting so it stays vertical.
Step 10: The water needs to be changed every week.
If you want to see roots grow out of the bottom of your cutting, stick it in a spot that gets indirect light.You only need to switch out the water once a week.You should see a few roots growing from the bottom of your bamboo in about 2 months.Are you feeling impatient?If shoots are put out after a month, it's fine to remove the cutting.The amount of time it takes for the cutting to grow roots is variable, so your cutting may be ready a lot sooner than an older cutting.
Step 11: Once you see roots, transfer your cutting to a vase.
You can display the lucky bamboo if you see a few roots from the bottom of the cutting.Place your bamboo plant in a vase or container with pebbles in the bottom.Before you stick the lucky bamboo into the pebbles, make sure to pour 4 inches (10 cm) of distilled water into it.Put the new bamboo into a vase or container that has older, established lucky bamboo stalks.Don't forget to change the water.It's a good idea to replace the water once a week.