Question
I have a potted lucky bamboo plant that i bought from Home Depot. When I bought it, it was in a small vase which contained water.  I left it that way for several months and it stayed healthy.  I transplanted it to a pot, put river rock on the bottom and potting soil on top, and now the plant is showing dead leaves.  Should I have left it in just water, and if not, what suggestions do you have for me?

Answer
Hi James,

Lucky bamboo are no different from other rooted cuttings. At some point they need to be moved into soil if they are to get the nutrients that they need. So you have done the right thing.

However, putting stones or any other "drainage material" in the bottom of a pot is an outdated method that has long been discredited. So get those out of the pot.

In addition, most folks move their cuttings into pots that are way too big. The pot should be just large enough to contain the roots and a little soil that surrounds the roots. If you use a pot that is too large, you risk rotting the roots and retarding growth.

Make sure your lucky bamboo are getting lots of bright indirect light.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]