What can I do to save my bamboo plant?

Question

It's in a little pot full of rocks and water, but is browning a bit. My cat may have played with it a little, and my sister's bambboo plant is fine.

Both are inside, with not much light like the cashier said to do.

Should I just cut off the brown shriveled leaf part and let it try to grow back? or just change the water weekly and let it be?

Answer 1

Here is a great bamboo website that might help. http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/a/Bamboo.htm

We have several small bamboo plants.

Try to stick your plant in just water with the stem supported and the roots dangling. Place it in diffused light, as much as possible and in a warm spot, keep the water changed and the appropriate fertilizer give when you change the water. Once it gets going;

The soil must be very porous as the root will rot easily, hence the rocks but you also need good drainage, sand and maybe a little gravel once the plant gets going.

I'm not an expert but this is what I do and my plants that I've had for 4 years, both smaller, are doing great (we have two cats and they don't like the bamboo).

Answer 2

If it is lucky bamboo (dracena), which it likely is the ideal conditions for it is high humidity, and heat, so if it is warm outside, put it there. It also grows better in soil, but DO NOT USE PLANT FOOD. It will kill the plant. If you are growing real bamboo, and it is turning yellow, you should try planting it in the ground with partial shade, and watering it frequently.

Answer 3

They do have their good days and bad days.
My only suggestion to try is to cut off browning leaf as it's still taking in the nutrients to an otherwise dead limb. Plus the browning part may be diseased.
Also try changing the water - oh and by the way, what kind of water do you use? Tap water is bad, too much calcium, try bottled spring water.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with mine. It was in the bamboo pot full of rocks in my kitchen window, and one of the plants died. It yellowed and shriveled. I couldn't get it back. The other is thriving....like your sisters. I water it every 3 days or so, and then I give it plenty of light. No one ever told me not to give it light. Let it have light.

Answer 5

Give it lots of indirect light and change the water once a week. When you change the water give it a little very, very diluted liquid fertilizer. I use miracle grow. I had mine sitting about 4 feet from the window and never fed it and it started yellowing. After moving it to the window and lightly feeding it once a week it started greening up. It's looking good now.

Answer 6

Get up late tonight and trade with your sister. Seriously, those plants seem to have good days and bad days, so if yours is brown, go buy a new one. Or wait a while.

Answer 7

Cut the brown off and keep it in low light.

Answer 8

tehres not enough water

Answer 9

have never heard of anyone who has accidentally killed one!