Bamboo care; need some suggestions

[KTMay]

My bamboo plants are growing in water and stones.
They aren't doing bad, but not thriving either.
I just read that the plants should be tied together!

At this point, my plants have a pretty good root system, winding around the stones..

I wouldIke to try to remove them so I can tie them together.

I have e two concerns though;
1) when I remove the rocks, then the plants, too many of the delicate roots may break
2) when I replant it, the roots will be crushed by 5he stones I place on top..

Anyone with experience in this? ? Any thoughts??

[AnnaIkona]

Unless you want the bamboo to look nice and pretty, I wouldn't tie them together. Just my opinion.

[KTMay]

Of course I would like it to look pretty! lol; bUT would it be worth the risk? Is there a good chance I will destroy the roots? Or is there a good chance I won't? ?

I'm hoping someone with experience with these plants (and their delicate roots) can explain the best way to transplant , or to let me know it's best to leave it be.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to tie them together strictly for aesthetic purposes; I've also read it allows the plant to grow stronger and healthier.

[rainbowgardener]

This is "lucky bamboo," which isn't actually bamboo at all. (And I don't know how lucky it is ).

Personally I wouldn't mess with them. They look fine. They like indirect light, not bright sun.

[AnnaIkona]

The lucky bamboo's roots are very hardy and in my experience, regrow very well and quickly. I'm pretty sure they will regrow well, if you did transplant it. I have done it quite a bit.

[imafan26]

"Lucky bamboo" are really dracena. They can grow in water, but you should still give it a small amount of liquid fertilizer since water alone will not give it any nutrients.

If the get too tall you can cut them and they will root and the bottom will sprout a new top from a node close to the cutl.

[Graham Griggs]

you can he roots will grow into, the whole thing can then be replanted outside or in a bigger container next year

[imafan26]

the containers are usually filled with stones to support the plants. You can get decorative stones from the pet store. the kind they sell for aquariums. You can tile the stems together with a rubber band or twist tie. I think the gold twist ties can be gotten at craft stores. I think they use them to tie favors or gift bags. The kinking is created by turning the plant to force the growth to bend but they have to be tied together first so they bend the right way. A little bit of houseplant food or 1/4 str miracle grow once a month works. Change the water every few days so it does become foul.

[ASpicyPepperKid]

I'm not an expert but if you like bamboo then (Depending on where you live) You could get a certain species and it will grow wild but there is a downside If you let it grow it will take over everything unless you cut it regularly and if it gets in any gardens unless you act fast or get a specialist that garden is as good as gone.

[imafan26]

True. Real bamboo can be a rampant grower. There are two main types of bamboo, runners and clumpers. Clumping bamboo usually grow very tall and the clumps do expand over time so they still need to be managed. Runners are shorter, most of the miniature bamboo varieties are runners. They are thinner, but they can run a long way underground and pop up twenty feet away. Bamboo bloom just once. After they bloom, that part of the bamboo "forest" will die back. The younger parts will remain.
Bamboo can be kept in pots. Like ficus, you do have to keep an eye on them as they will try to escape. I have to keep mine double potted and under fed to keep it small. I have to cut off any of the runners that try to escape from the drain holes. I have black bamboo (a runner) and I did have budha belly ( a clumper.)

For the dracena, it is actually happier in the ground. eventually it will get taller, so you can cut it back and it will sprout new shoots from the sides and you can start a new container with the tips.