Anyone know anything about bamboo plants

[NJmaverick]

like how to encourage them to sprout more leaves. Also why they turn yellow. That right I am so nurturing I managed to kill a weed. I am now on my second plant.

[Frosty1]

1. My Bamboo

turns yellow from not enough or too much water. The amount of light and water determines the spacing of the leaves. I keep it in a west window and usually water it once a week. If yours is too leggy (more pole and less leaves) try getting it more light.

[arcadian]

2. It's a grass.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. What variety do you have??

Are we taking about a "lucky bamboo" plant (which is really not a bamboo at all)?

Most true bamboos are high light plants -- they do not work the best in indor situations unless there is a great deal of good, direct light. If they are in a lower light that could explain the lack of vigorous leaf growth. Yellowing in a leaf can be either over or under watering -- the soil condition can give you an idea of which problem you are looking at. Also, leaf yellowing can continue for weeks after you have corrected the original watering problem, so don't panic and drown the plant thinking you are helping.

If you can tell me about the type of bamboo/plant, the lighting conditions, and the soil conditions I can give you specific advice.

Can you post a picture of it and its location?? That could be very helpful.

[NJmaverick]

4. I am not sure what type it is

it's the type you don't plant in soil (rather it's supported by rocks or marbles) and set into water. It's a very popular office plant in my region. I keep the water levels up. I have given it more light, since the leaf yellowing (this seems to have helped). However there was one curly stem I would really like to have sprout again, but nothing I do seems to help (after cutting off the yellow part).

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. That's a "lucky bamboo"....

which is not a true bamboo at all. Check this page out for some pointers on your plant:

http://www.chiff.com/a/lucky-bamboo.htm

Since it is a member of the Dracaena family, the curly stem you menton (called a cane) may not grow leaves back ever -- all Dracaena leaf growth comes from the top of the cane as it grows taller.

[NJmaverick]

6. Thanks that was very helpful

:hi:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. You're welcome!

:hi:

[Seeking Serenity]

8. Keep your pandas away from them.

They won't thrive with pandas about.

[NJmaverick]

9. lol- I guess I better lock my office door, when I am not there

[EnviroBat]

10. "I swear..."

"I know nuthin bout no Bamboo plants. That was here when I came in..."

[NJmaverick]

11. That is a great picture

[EnviroBat]

13. One of my altime favorites...

:hi:

[KatyaR]

12. Try using filtered water to stop the leaves from turning yellow.

If you have tap water with lots of minerals, etc., in it, that's probably the problem.

The only other thing I can tell you is DON'T give it a lot of light. It will grow like crazy if you do. Very indirect light is the best.

[NJmaverick]

14. I hope no one notices me using the Poland Springs water

to water my plant