Indoor bamboo, or dracaena Sandera (Dracaena brauniic) is an unpretentious evergreen exotic plant, the decorative species of which will perfectly fit into any home or office interior. In indoor conditions, the plant can grow for a long time, the main thing is proper care, in compliance with all recommendations and requirements. Decorative bamboo is a dracaena species. It can be grown not only in soil, but also in water. It grows both as a single plant and in group compositions. Feng Shui people consider bamboo to be a symbol of prosperity, happiness and good luck.
Ornamental bamboo consists of a green or yellow-green bare or leafy stem and bright green leaves at the top. Plant care is not difficult. It is necessary to grow it in conditions close to its natural environment.
Caring for indoor bamboo at home
The rules of care differ slightly depending on whether the flower is grown in soil or in water, but some of them are suitable for both growing methods.
Location and lighting
Bamboo prefers diffused lighting without direct sunlight, which can be created with a light translucent curtain on the windowsill on the west or east side of the room. If you take into account the recommendations of the Feng Shui teachings, then the place of the decorative bamboo should be in the southeastern part of the room.
With a lack of lighting, the plant will lose its leafy part, and its development will slow down. The lack of light will immediately affect the decorative qualities of the indoor flower.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for growing bamboo is from 18 to 25 degrees, but the plant will withstand the thirty-degree mark in the summer season without negative consequences.
Air humidity
The level of air humidity for a flower is not very important, but moist care in the form of wiping the leaves from dust is very necessary for the plant. Such water procedures are recommended to be carried out regularly.
Growing bamboo in water
This method of growing decorative bamboo is most suitable and does not take much time to care. The water in the container is changed once a week. For an unpretentious plant, this is quite enough to create optimal conditions for development. This water base contributes to the rapid and harmonious growth of indoor bamboo. Even indoors, exotic bamboo reaches a height of one to two meters. By growing a group of plants in a short time, you can create your own tropical garden.
In the absence of fertilizer, the plant will lose its leafy part or the stem will turn yellow. Fertilization is a very important part of indoor bamboo maintenance. Top dressing is introduced directly into the water, at the time of its replacement with fresh.One feeding every 2-3 months will be enough. It is recommended to use a mineral fertilizer intended for plants of this type.
Several bamboo stems can be grown in one flower container. For convenience and decoration, all plants are tied together with braid of any contrasting color. As a container, you can use not only traditional flower pots or containers, but also glass vases or glasses, and as the bamboo grows - buckets and deep jugs. With a plant height of more than 50-80 centimeters, cultivation vessels are placed only on the floor in the immediate vicinity of a light source or a window.
Water for watering and growing decorative bamboo should be soft. It is advisable to use settled water for several days or melt water. This evergreen plant should not be watered with tap or filtered water.
Preparing melt water:
- Fill a plastic container with water.
- Place in the freezer for 2 days.
- Defrost and use as directed.
Growing bamboo in the ground
The soil
Ornamental bamboo or dracaena Sander grows much better in soil than in water. Plants do not really like the constant presence of the root part in a humid environment, and water lingers in the soil for a short time. Any soil mixture is suitable for growing. You can purchase the most common one, designed for most indoor flowers. This method of growing and somewhat simplifies the very care of the plant. There is no need to change the soil, like water, every week.
Watering
A significant difference in care is regular and timely watering. The soil in the container with the plant should always be slightly moist, it should not be allowed to dry out. If the dracaena Sander was transferred from the water to the soil, then it is very important to constantly water it and carefully monitor the general condition and development until the bamboo finally takes root in a new place.
Watering in the autumn-winter period should be significantly reduced. It is important to avoid stagnation of water in the ground. This can lead to the formation of mold, which is one of the main enemies of decorative bamboo. In order to prevent this disease, it is recommended that when planting, do not forget about the drainage layer and drainage holes in the flower pot.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Bamboo grown in the ground also needs timely fertilization in the form of fertilizers for various types of dracaena. They are introduced at intervals of 2-3 months along with irrigation water.
Breeding methods for indoor bamboo
Indoor bamboo can propagate in several different ways: by seed (in rare cases), cuttings, offspring, and apical shoots. Reproduction by offspring and tops will have to spend a lot of time and effort. Such methods are considered difficult. It is even more difficult to grow bamboo by seed method, and in indoor conditions it is almost unrealistic. Sowing seeds, the appearance of seedlings and long-term care for them is a laborious and long process. Therefore, most often flower growers use one method - cuttings. It is considered the most affordable and suitable for this exotic specimen.
Propagation of indoor bamboo by cuttings
It is recommended to propagate indoor bamboo by cuttings in the spring. Young shoots are used as planting material, which just at this time appear on a mature plant. They must be carefully separated or cut from the main stem and planted in the ground for rooting.
The soil for germination of the root part is the same as for an adult plant. Bamboo is a fast growing plant. This quality extends not only to its stem, but also to the root system. Therefore, the container for the cutting needs to be selected spacious and medium in height. Even with small cuttings, the pot becomes bamboo in size very quickly.
You can simplify the reproduction procedure by combining it with the next transplant of a houseplant, which experienced florists recommend to be carried out once a year or every two years. Spring is also a favorable time for transplanting, as well as propagation by cuttings. It is very important to pay great attention to the newly transplanted plant and young cuttings, in order to avoid various difficulties and problems with their growth and development in a new place and in a new status.
The main care is regular watering and loosening of the soil. Watering is carried out daily and only with settled irrigation water with a temperature not less than 22-25 degrees Celsius. An obligatory water procedure is also wet wiping of the leafy part of the plant from dust.
Loosening the soil is also very important for the development of the indoor flower. Young cuttings, or rather their root part, will be able to receive the required amount of fresh air, which will contribute to better root formation and rooting in new conditions.
Ornamental bamboo or dracaena Sander can thrive and thrive in a variety of conditions. This unpretentious houseplant does not differ in its external qualities, depending on the place of cultivation. It develops equally favorably in water and soil. When properly cared for, bamboo can transform an ordinary home or work space into a cozy tropical retreat. The rapid growth of this exotic representative is able to create home comfort and a pleasant atmosphere in a short time.
A friend gave me a bamboo, and I’m not dreaming about it. Thank you for explaining how to care