What to pay attention to when raising富贵竹 (Fortune Bamboo) in autumn
This article introduces what to pay attention to when raising Fortune Bamboo in autumn and reviews five small details to consider for the green plant and flower care. Let's learn about them together.
Fortune Bamboo, also known as Wanshou Bamboo, Fortune Pagoda, and Lucky Bamboo, symbolizes good fortune and safety, and has always been a favorite green plant among the public. However, many plant enthusiasts have recently reported that the Fortune Bamboo they purchased in autumn started showing yellowing and withered leaves, and no root growth after being cared for a period. This phenomenon is quite common in hydroponically raised Fortune Bamboo, mainly due to some minor details not being properly managed in the care process.
Detail One: Remove the bottom leaves
Whether purchased from a flower market or online, the Fortune Bamboo available to enthusiasts is usually cultivated in greenhouses, where humidity and temperature can be controlled artificially, resulting in dense leaf growth. However, when we bring the Fortune Bamboo home, the temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions differ significantly from those in the greenhouse. Directly placing the plant in a vase means the plant cannot supply nutrients to all the leaves, causing it to naturally discard some. These discarded leaves will gradually turn yellow, and if not removed in time, they will rot and pollute the water.
Therefore, after bringing the newly purchased Fortune Bamboo home, the leaves at the bottom of the stem should be removed first, especially the ones that will be submerged in water, to prevent water pollution. The remaining skin at the bottom of the stem should also be peeled off, leaving only the leaves in the upper part of the stem.
Detail Two: Make a new cut at the base of the stem
Fortune Bamboo sold in the market comes in two types: one with rootlets and another without rootlets, consisting only of stems and leaves.
If enthusiasts purchase stems without rootlets, they should cut the stems shorter based on the height of the hydroponic vase to remove the old cut. During long-distance transportation, these stems' old cuts often dry out due to water loss, and most plant cells at the old cut have aged and died, making it difficult for roots to sprout. We should cut off the old cut with a knife or scissors, make a new 45-degree cut, and then insert it back into the vase. The cells at the new cut are more active, allowing the Fortune Bamboo to root quickly.
What to pay attention to when raising Fortune Bamboo in autumn
Detail Three: Do not fill the water too full
The stems and roots of Fortune Bamboo can not only absorb water but also perform respiration, allowing the plant to absorb oxygen from the air. Many enthusiasts fill the vase with water too full to prevent the plant from lacking water, causing the entire stem to be submerged. This practice weakens the plant's respiration and can lead to yellow leaves due to oxygen deficiency over time.
When watering Fortune Bamboo, there is no need to fill the vase too full; just enough for the roots to absorb water is fine. For ordinary-sized Fortune Bamboo, the water level in the vase should be around 10~15 centimeters, ensuring that most of the stem is exposed to the air.
Detail Four: Maintain clean water
Fortune Bamboo requires clean water for its roots to grow well. If the water is not changed for a long time, it will become very cloudy, and in summer, it is prone to grow green algae. This is not only unsightly but also causes the plant to grow slowly in murky water and increases the risk of root rot.
Water should be changed for Fortune Bamboo as soon as it becomes cloudy. However, if the water level is only low and not cloudy, just add water to the vase. Since tap water contains disinfectants that can harm the plant, it's best to use cool boiled water or purified water when adding or changing water for Fortune Bamboo.