Bamboo - Ask Extension
I bought a stick of bamboo in water that has tiny roots and a few tiny leaves at top. If I cut off about 1 inch from the bottom, will roots start to...
Knowledgebase
Bamboo #782519
Asked February 23, 2022, 6:34 PM EST
I bought a stick of bamboo in water that has tiny roots and a few tiny leaves at top. If I cut off about 1 inch from the bottom, will roots start to grow again if I keep it in water? The internet said something about dipping very bottom in wax. Is that necessary?
Hamilton County Ohio
Expert Response
Thank you for asking Extension about your new bamboo plant.
First, I have to ask if this is truly bamboo, or what is called "lucky bamboo"?
Lucky bamboo is not the same type of plant as true bamboo, but it is very easy to propagate from cuttings and is usually used as a house plant. It sounds as if your cutting is already trying to root itself. Assuming what you have is the lucky bamboo (a type of Dacaena--a tropical tree or shrub)--it is already rooting in water from a node and should not need to be cut off again. It is ready to plant in moist, airy soil and kept damp while it grows. As it gets bigger, you can take shoot cuttings off the plant--making sure they contain at least one leaf joint--and root them again to propagate more plants. Rooting hormone shouldn't be needed if this is lucky bamboo.
If what you have is true bamboo, you have to determine what kind it is. Running bamboos are propagated by root cuttings (and probably shouldn't be grown outside, as they quickly become invasive), and clumping bamboo by divisions. Wax is used on the cut edge of a hollow section of root or shoot to prevent rotting while waiting for roots to go. It shouldn't be needed if what you are growing is lucky bamboo.
Hopefully, this answered your question. If not, let me know what type of bamboo you have and I can get you a more detailed answer.
First, I have to ask if this is truly bamboo, or what is called "lucky bamboo"?
Lucky bamboo is not the same type of plant as true bamboo, but it is very easy to propagate from cuttings and is usually used as a house plant. It sounds as if your cutting is already trying to root itself. Assuming what you have is the lucky bamboo (a type of Dacaena--a tropical tree or shrub)--it is already rooting in water from a node and should not need to be cut off again. It is ready to plant in moist, airy soil and kept damp while it grows. As it gets bigger, you can take shoot cuttings off the plant--making sure they contain at least one leaf joint--and root them again to propagate more plants. Rooting hormone shouldn't be needed if this is lucky bamboo.
If what you have is true bamboo, you have to determine what kind it is. Running bamboos are propagated by root cuttings (and probably shouldn't be grown outside, as they quickly become invasive), and clumping bamboo by divisions. Wax is used on the cut edge of a hollow section of root or shoot to prevent rotting while waiting for roots to go. It shouldn't be needed if what you are growing is lucky bamboo.
Hopefully, this answered your question. If not, let me know what type of bamboo you have and I can get you a more detailed answer.
Thank you very much. I’m sure I have lucky bamboo.
On Feb 24, 2022, at 8:34 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
This time of year, a new plant in water is highly likely to be lucky bamboo. You shouldn't have any trouble getting it to grow. I would let the roots get close to an inch long before trying to pot it up. Make sure the soil is a light houseplant mixture with plenty of perlite or vermiculite in it. Keep it damp and out of strong, direct sunlight.
Have fun with it!
Have fun with it!
