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Lucky Bamboo may seem like a novelty plant to us westerners, but it is in fact a powerful symbol in ‘Feng Shui’, considered the perfect combination of the five elements.
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The meaning of Lucky Bamboo ‘Lucky Bamboo' has long been associated with the Eastern practice of ‘Feng Shui' - bringing the five elements of water, fire, wood, metal and earth into harmony within their environment. It is now the most popular Feng Shui symbol on the market. The Lucky Bamboo plant itself is the ideal combination of wood and water; the stalks are generally placed in pebbles (signifying earth), the red ribbon that is often seen tied around the bundles is the symbol of fire, which is believed to support the flow of energy or chi around the dwelling. The glass in which it is placed falls under ‘metal' in Feng Shui, (and if a different container is used often a coin is placed in the vase). Giving the plant is supposed to bring good fortune both to the giver and the recipient, and this is a reason why the plant is often given as a wedding gift or at the time of the Chinese New Year. There are classic numbers: three branches for happiness, five for good health, two for love and marriage, eight for wealth and abundance, and nine - considered especially lucky - for overall good fortune and happiness. The number four is to be avoided - since it is associated with death. The history  Lucky bamboo has been in use as a good luck symbol in Asian cultures for over 4000 years. In Chinese, it is called "Fu Gwey Zhu". Fu means Wealth, Gwey means Power, Honor; Zhu is Bamboo.
From plant to symbol First of all - this is not bamboo. The plant in question is Dracaena Sanderiana.  After harvesting, the tips of the branches are cut and sealed, and the bundle of sticks (as few as three, and as many as - MANY) is placed in clear water. It can survive like this for years. The branches are cut just above a segment in the plant. The cut tip will be allowed to dry and is then covered with wax. This will allow a new shoot to grow on the side of the branch. Lucky bamboo is frequently seen growing in unusual twisted, curved, or spiraling forms, which seem to enhance its appeal and sense of mystery. The curving shapes are produced by laying the plants on their sides, with light directed from the top and shielded from each side, causing them to grow in one direction only toward the light. The plants are rotated regularly to encourage the spiraling form. Naturally, this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process which justifies the often steep prices.  The stalks are sometimes braided into intricate forms, or bundled in a number of tiers. 
Caring for your Lucky Bamboo Keep the water in the container always clear and fresh. It is best to replace it weekly. Chlorinated water is bad for your plant and it would be good to either let the water stand for a day or use bottled water. The plant naturally grows under the canopy of large trees, so it is best to keep it in a shaded but fairly bright spot. Direct sun will cause the leaves to burn, and too little light will make for spindly, weak plants. If you feel a little fertilizer is in order always use it at a diluted strength. If you own a ‘tower' of several levels it is important to keep it rotating regularly to ensure all parts of the bundle receive their share of light.
 | Dutch by birth but widely travelled since my late teens. Married for 25 years to an American musician, with a grown son and living in sunny Southwest Florida, I now call myself 'semi-retired' so that I can justify spending all waking hours in the pursuit of growing blooming tropical plants, most specifically Plumeria. |
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Subject: Great Article
Posted by BonniesBasement (from Yucaipa, CA) on March 27, 2008 at 2:15 PM:Can I post part of this article on my web site? I will have a link that links back to the original article. Let me know :-)
Thanks a Bunch,
Bonnie Spitzer
[HYPERLINK@www.BonniesBargainBasement.com] ... Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on March 27, 2008 at 2:17 PM: You have D-mail
This message was edited Mar 27, 2008 2:18 PM ...
Subject: Lucky?
Posted by darius (from Appalachian Mtns, VA) on March 23, 2008 at 11:31 AM:The first time I bought some Lucky Bamboo, I came home to find unexpected money in the mail!
I've had serious results with what little Feng Shui I have utilized. It's an interesting concept. ... Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on March 23, 2008 at 2:06 PM: Nice article, Dutchlady...
Beautiful photos, and so much I didn't know about them.
I got a new pot of them last week, Darius....still waiting for my money to appear!!!
... Posted by vossner (from Richmond, TX) on March 23, 2008 at 3:35 PM: another great article. I like LB and have it growing in my stepson's old bedroom. He is in the army and is not in harm's way. I'd say that's lucky! I need to change the vase on mine, but here's a pic. Ocassionally one will die and I will go to my grocery store's flower shop and get a replacement. Sometimes they're high, sometimes you can get them for $1. If your city has a large asian community, Houston does, then you can find them really cheap and in all kind of configurations.
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
... Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on March 23, 2008 at 7:34 PM: Yep, I'd say a bigger container is warranted for that one!!
Thanks for the nice comments everyone. ... Posted by jeri11 (from Central, LA) on March 23, 2008 at 7:43 PM: Thanks for a very interesting and informative article in regards to the lucky bamboo!!!! I've had it for years and lost it. After you article I'm gonna find me some more and this time I won't take the red ribbon off!!! I didn't know!!!! ... Posted by puttytat (from Saint Louis, MO) on March 24, 2008 at 9:26 AM: Thanks for the great information! My plant sits on my desk at the office. The shoots have grown about an inch since I bought it, but the leaf times have turned brown with yellow begind them. The plant gets no sun - too far from the window. Is this a case of too much light? If so, how does one protect it in an office environment? If not, what else might cause this? Thanks!
... Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on March 24, 2008 at 10:51 AM: My guess is you have dry air in your office. Most plants are pretty sensitive to dry air. Try misting them regularly. ... Posted by puttytat (from Saint Louis, MO) on March 24, 2008 at 2:57 PM: Dutchlady, you are right about the dry air. I'll give the misting a go - thank you!
Shelly ... Posted by NatureWalker (from Binghamton, Twilight, NY) on March 28, 2008 at 10:07 PM: I've seen them in my local Super Market for starts at $.79 each & they also sell the exotic displays such as you've shone.
I had some for awhile - till I saw them dying - not my fault though - a devious person put some vinegar in the water - I didn't know till my hands smelled of vinegar when I was changing the water one night. None survived.
~* Robin ... Posted by redtweet (from Middleburg, FL) on April 21, 2008 at 1:56 PM: I have a question - a very well-meaning co-worker gave me one of these as a gift. It has 4 stalks! Now, that's supposed to mean death. Should I hack off one of the stalks or what? The 'giver' has since left the company, but I still won't get rid of it...it's still green for goodness sake! What should I do? Can I take the one stalk off and propagate it alone?
Thanks for the misting idea - several of us are having the same yellowing issue with ours and dry air is lkely the cause. I know it's been keeping my hands and eyes dry too.
Thank you for your help! ... Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on April 21, 2008 at 2:50 PM: I personally would get rid of one of the stalks. No point tempting fate. ... Posted by puttytat (from Saint Louis, MO) on April 23, 2008 at 8:44 PM: Hi everyone - just for the record, I've been misting my plant every since my last post but it hasn't improved at all. The brown tips are now 1/2 brown leaves although it's still making new growth. I called Missouri Botanical Gardens Horticultural Hotline but they had never encountered this problem and found nothing in their archives to suggest cause/cure. For now I've brought the plant home and will see how it does in a sheltered location outdoors. ... Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on April 23, 2008 at 8:45 PM: Are you refreshing the water regularly? You could have some buildup of nasty stuff in there. ... Posted by puttytat (from Saint Louis, MO) on April 24, 2008 at 11:13 AM: Water is changed every Friday - I fill a glass Thursday morning and let it sit 24 hours. The plant is in a glass bowl so it's easy to see and the water has always been clear. ...
Subject: Wonderful information
Posted by wannadanc (from Olympia, WA) on March 23, 2008 at 11:24 AM:Thank you so much!!!! I have had several - gave up on the first, didn't understand - but this second one now stands a much better chance!!!!!!!! ... Posted by planolinda (from Plano, TX) on March 23, 2008 at 12:01 PM: i have one but wonder if you can ever plant them in soil? ... Posted by Kelli (from Los Angeles (Canoga , CA) on March 23, 2008 at 1:06 PM: I have read that this plant does not like fluoridated water and I've have better luck keeping mine alive after switching from tap water. I use rain water or condensate from the air conditioner. ...
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