Those searching for low-maintenance houseplants may find Lucky Bamboo plants to be an excellent option. Perhaps you, too, have a Lucky Bamboo plant in your home or at work and are curious about how to encourage the development of new branches.
Well, the established and proven technique is to prune the plant and make it healthier. This will prevent the plant from becoming too tall and promote the development of new branches. Besides pruning, another way to encourage new growth in Lucky Bamboo is to provide it with a nutrient-rich environment, such as by adding fertilizer to the water or using a soil-based growing medium.
In this article, we will show you how to take care of your lucky bamboo so that it grows as many branches as possible.
How to Make Lucky Bamboo Grow More Branches?
As mentioned earlier, the most common way to do this is pruning. Now how do you do that? The three most crucial aspects of any trimming effort are as follows.
- Tools for Pruning
- Method of Pruning
- Patience
So, let’s dive in!
To begin, you will need a good pair of scissors. The instrument shouldn’t leave a jagged edge behind while cutting the plant. A jagged cut will not only destroy the plant’s aesthetic value but also foster the perfect conditions for the proliferation of germs.
As you’re probably aware, this has an effect on the development of the houseplant. Because of this, before you trim the plant, you should wipe the scissors off with rubbing alcohol. Keep in mind that once a stalk has been chopped, it will never grow back to the same height.
If the stalk is excessively tall, just cut it down. Pick the perfect height, since that’s how it’ll remain. When you trim the rest of the plant, just the leaves will stop growing. That’s why it’s suggested you get rid of the leaves that are dry and yellow.
Better-looking leaves may then flourish in the resulting space. In a water container or a pot of soil, the plant parts you cut off may grow and spread. As a result, a new Lucky Bamboo arrangement may be easily produced by using the components taken from an existing plant.
Make sure the leaves are not buried in the water while soaking the exposed areas. If this occurs, the cuttings will root, perhaps exposing the young plant to harmful germs and fungi.
Additionally, there are certain other things you can do from the get-go and/or as your Lucky Bamboo matures to keep it flourishing and producing plenty of branches.
1. Right Plantation
When planting a lucky bamboo, it is best to remove the stem and wash it together with the roots. Carefully inspect the plant for any indications of damage; if you discover any, remove the deteriorated sections and any yellowing leaves.
If you wish to cultivate the plant in a container, fill it with stones that are at least 5 cm deep. You may put them in a vase, glass, carafe, or even a fancy bottle.
Insert the stem into the pot, then pack the stones around it to keep it in place. Mix with room-temperature distilled water (about 1 inch deep). When planting many stems in one pot, you may group them together if you choose.
In case you choose to use tap water instead of distilled water, you should wait at least 24 hours before soaking the stems in it. This eliminates the risk of the bamboo being harmed by chlorine, fluoride, and other minerals.
2. Picking the Correct Pot
To better appreciate the stones and clean water within, many people choose containers made of transparent glass. Algae development is accelerated in containers exposed to direct sunlight, so you’ll need to keep water changes to a minimum if you choose that route.
However, if you’d want to delay watering your plants as much, a colorful container is your best bet. The lack of transparency in this sort of pot makes it difficult to monitor water quality and adjust the water level.
Even though fortunate bamboo may be planted in an earthen pot, it requires a container with enough drainage to thrive. The soil should be kept wet and mixed with sand, peat, and dirt (in equal parts).
The stem has to be planted at a depth of at least 2 inches. Put some stones and ceramic fragments in the soil, then drill a few holes in the bottom of the pot, so that water may drain away easily. We advise leaving the top dry in between watering to avoid rotting of the root.
3. Maintenance
Ensure the continued success of your fortunate bamboo plant by giving it the attention it needs. If you give your plant enough time in the sun, water, fertilizer, and pruning, it will flourish. All plants, in general, need regular upkeep and care. This plant requires very little attention from you in order to flourish.
First and foremost, take care to weed out the browning leaves as you go.
Moreover, you should replace the water it’s kept in around once a month. When the water is unclean and depleted, you may add organic materials to clean it up.
The Lucky Bamboo just needs occasional watering and maybe some green plant fertilizer, so it’s easy to care for.
4. Exposure
This unusual green plant requires a constant temperature of at least 57 degrees Fahrenheit and should be kept in a room that never drops below that mark. Put your plant somewhere bright, but out of direct sunlight, if at all feasible.
It’s important to remember to wipe the dust off the leaves on a regular basis. Put it in a convenient spot near a cool radiator. Don’t go anywhere drafty, however.
In the hot, dry summer, it’s important to mist the leaves often.
For hydroponics, it’s best to change the water once a week to prevent root rot. Each month, give your plants a shot of liquid nitrogen fertilizer. Watering a potted plant twice a week is fine, and adding nitrogenous fertilizer for green plants in the spring is all that’s needed.
How Long Does It Take For Lucky Bamboo To Grow New Shoots?
Well, the time in which the lucky bamboo grows new shoots depends on several factors. These include care and attention, how healthy the plant is, and its growing environment. On average, the lucky bamboo can begin to grow within a few weeks to some months.
Typically, it takes some time for the plant to develop its roots and get used to its environment after potting. This is one of the reasons why growing new shoots takes a longer time.
To promote the growth of new shoots in your lucky bamboo, expose it to bright, indirect light. Keep the plant’s temperature between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and place it in a humid environment.
Provide the lucky bamboo with rich, well-draining soil. Avoid soaking the soil; keep it moist.
How Can You Make Your Lucky Bamboo Stalk Thicker?
There are simple ways to make your thin bamboo stalk grow thicker. Here are some helpful tips:
- Place the plant in a place with good air circulation.
- Apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer to the lucky bamboo during its growing season.
- Prune the top of the plant, above the node, to promote bushy growth.
- Provide a bigger pot for the lucky bamboo plants to create enough space for them to grow.
Also read: Are Bonsai Trees Poisonous to Cats?
Summary
This is your one-stop plant guide if you want your plant to flourish and keep its attractive appearance. Your plant’s growth rate is affected by a number of things, including how frequently you water it, how much sunshine it receives, and how you prune it.
If your plant is a lucky bamboo, which is recognized as an efficient therapeutic plant, its health will also impact how happy and calm you feel. If you care about your plant, following these instructions will be a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my Lucky Bamboo take to grow?
How long it takes for lucky bamboo to mature depends on a number of variables such as the kind you’re growing, where you’re keeping it, how much light it gets, etc. But in the average case, the plant may gain up to 1 m in height in a single year.
Will additional shoots form on my Lucky Bamboo?
Known as “Lucky Bamboo,” this kind of bamboo is known for the annual sprout it produces in the spring. Some are picked before they have a chance to put out shoots, but not everyone has the opportunity to do so.
What you can do to encourage your lucky bamboo to produce additional shoots is conditional on variables such as the kind of plant you have. The frequency of your trimmings will also have an effect on the plant’s ability to produce new growth.
What can I do to encourage the growth of a more robust lucky bamboo?
Expanding the thickness of your lucky bamboo may be done in a few different ways. Pruning and trimming procedures may be used, such as snipping off the ends of the plant using a pair of clean, sharp scissors. The thickness of your lucky bamboo is also determined by how frequently you prune the stem.
Fertilizers rich in potassium, which strengthens plant components like stems, stalks, and roots, may help your plant develop a more robust appearance.
Should I trim my Lucky Bamboo?
If you want your lucky bamboo to remain shorter for longer, some individuals suggest cutting it. If their roots are given greater freedom to spread out, certain varieties may even outpace typically growing plants in terms of growth rate.
Some individuals don’t know how to properly prune this plant, therefore it’s best not to cut any of the stems at all.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
