In recent years, this amazing exotic plant can be seen in many homes. The reason for this is not only its original appearance, but also the fact that according to the ancient Chinese doctrine of Feng Shui, it has a beneficial effect in all respects for the house in which it grows. Therefore, this plant has such a beautiful name among the people - bamboo of happiness.
Outwardly, it is very similar to wild bamboo, but has nothing to do with it. After reading the article, you can learn about the conditions for growing bamboo happiness at home.
General information
This plant is very popular among lovers of indoor flowers. With its unique jumpers on the trunk, it resembles bamboo.
Indoor bamboo (flower of happiness) belongs to the dracen family. Its real name is Dracaena Sander (or Sanderian). Its homeland is supposedly Australia, Asia and South America.
This plant, according to Chinese custom, should be in every family, as it brings happiness and good luck in all matters. Fu Gwey Zhu is the Chinese name for the flower, consisting of three words whose meanings are wealth (from the word Fu), nobility (from Gwey) and bamboo (Zhu).
Most often, flower growers call it home decorative bamboo or indoor bamboo. And the word "dracaena" in translation means "dragon tree". This flower got its name from the surname of the famous Englishman Frederick Sander (life period - 1847-1920) - a collector and seller of plants. He discovered this unique ornamental plant.
Description
Belongs to the category Dracaena Sander indoor plants. In addition to the name and external resemblance to real wood bamboo, it has nothing to do with it.
This plant is evergreen, with oval-lanceolate green leaves with silver-gray and white-yellow stripes. In length they reach 20 cm, in width - 3 cm. In height, an adult plant grows up to 2 m. As it grows, the slender trunk of a bamboo is exposed, which gives it a more majestic look.
The stalk of Dracaena Sander has an unusual spiral shape, which is obtained due to some manipulations and exposure to light. For example, using one-sided lighting, you can get a spiral shape: with a periodic change in the direction of light, the stem bends toward greater illumination. Another way - the stems are sometimes twisted with wire. About one year - the duration of the formation of one ringlet. Both methods require considerable patience.
Ways to grow at home
Indoor bamboo of happiness, which has become very fashionable among gardeners, can be grown in many ways:
- in a vase of water;
- in a pot with soil;
- in a transparent container with hydrogel.
The best of them is growing in a hydrogel.
Breeding
Bamboo of happiness propagated by seeds and cuttings. Planting should be done in March, during the start of natural distillation. The seeds for this are soaked in water for their further germination, after which the sprouts are planted in the ground.
Soil composition in unit of capacity:
- land - 2/4 part;
- sand - 1/4;
- drainage - 1/4.
After landing in the ground, the container must be covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect.
Water content
Bamboo of happiness is an unpretentious plant that can grow even in a simple glass with water. Thanks to this ability, many plant it in a transparent vase with water or with a decorative colored gel to bring some element of decor into the room. True, when grown in this way, you must adhere to some important rules.
Water should be changed every two weeks, adding mineral fertilizers to it for normal plant growth. In the presence of water of the highest quality, you can not change it, but just from time to time add fresh water to the vase.
It should be remembered that bamboo can discard leaves if it is not fed with additional fertilizers, since under natural conditions it receives them in sufficient quantities from the soil. Periodically, you need to water with the addition of fertilizers.
Chlorine contained in ordinary tap water has a poor effect on plant development. For irrigation, you should use filtered water, or better - rain or melt. Put a plastic bottle filled with plain water in the freezer and hold it until it freezes completely. Thawed water from the freezer becomes soft and suitable for watering any indoor plants, including bamboo.
It is important to note that a bamboo house plant of happiness when in the water can produce a rather unpleasant odor over time. A small amount of regular charcoal, which has excellent antibacterial properties, will help prevent the formation of an unpleasant odor. It should be added to the bamboo vase.
Hydrogel
The most favorable conditions for the growth of Sander dracaena are cultivation in a container with a hydrogel. It is a special soil saturated with a gel-like substance containing everything necessary for the normal development of the plant.
It can have different colors - green, pearl, transparent. For this method of cultivation, a transparent container is used - the view of the plant becomes especially spectacular.
Soil cultivation
Like other indoor plants, Sandera also feels great in a pot of earth. To create the most comfortable conditions, it is best to use soil suitable specifically for dracaena. Be sure to put decorative glass or small stones on the bottom of the pot. This is a kind of drainage. The only thing that should be taken into account is that bamboo of happiness does not like stagnation of moisture.
Home care when growing in the soil has some features.
If water is not changed in a vase when grown in water, this will lead to decay of the entire root system, and subsequently will cause the death of bamboo. In the ground this will not happen, unless, of course, watered correctly and on time. It is important to remember that initially you should moisten the soil abundantly due to the weakness of the root system.
An important requirement is the presence of drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Otherwise, mold will form, affecting the roots first, and then the whole plant. In this case, the bamboo begins to turn yellow and completely dries.
Pruning
To shape the plant, prune the stems and shoots annually. Use special garden shears to trim indoor plants or pruners.
Cropped shoots can be used as cuttings for plant propagation. To do this, they are kept in a jar of water until the roots appear on them. Slices of the trimmed plant must be lubricated with liquid wax to prevent them from decaying in water.
If the plant has few shoots, then you can cut off part of the trunk or pinch it. After such an important procedure, new fresh leaves will appear on the sides.
Indoor Location
When growing bamboo of happiness at home, it is best to arrange it using the advice of the ancient Chinese teachings of Feng Shui. A pot or vase must be placed in the southeast side of the house or apartment. Next to this plant, you can place a three-legged toad, which is a talisman that attracts money. It is believed that such an integrated approach will attract money and family happiness to the house.
According to Chinese Feng Shui philosophy, the bamboo plant has the ability to bring luck, prosperity and happiness to its owner. This variety of dracaena became a real hit in the design of not only apartments, but also hotels, offices and restaurants.
Care Features
Bamboo of happiness is unpretentious in leaving, however there are some features.
- The main indicators of the state of bamboo are leaves. Their yellowing indicates that the plant is not satisfied with the quality of the water, or that it is watered incorrectly (if it grows in the ground). You should also periodically wipe the leaves from dust.
- Dracaena Sander does not like very bright places, so you should not place her on the windowsill, where there is a lot of direct sunlight. The most comfortable place for this plant is partial shade.
- Indoor bamboo is not very whimsical to the temperature regime. Normal temperature for it is +17 ° ... + 35 ° .
- Many decorate a vase with the bamboo of happiness contained in it with multi-colored pebbles or pebbles, but for this you need to wash them in hot water to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases.
- In order for Dracaena to become bare, the growing lateral shoots need to be cut, but the top should not be touched.
Teaching feng shui
According to ancient philosophy, there are several systems for combining the number of stems of this plant. Having created a composition from the required number of processes, the following benefits can be brought into the house:
- joy and pacification - 3 stalks;
- business success and financial well-being - 5 stems;
- health and longevity - 7 stems;
- family happiness and love (“tower of love”) - 20 stems;
- well-being in all areas of life - 21 stems.
It is important to remember that a composition with four stems can cause trouble and trouble, since the Chinese consider the number 4 unfortunate and even dangerous.
Stalks of bamboo can be tied with beautiful red or golden ribbons, and the surface of the soil can be decorated with multi-colored glass and pebbles. This will enhance the magical properties of the plant.
Various animal figures planted to the plant also have beneficial effects on its energy: elephant, dog, panda, frog.
Conclusion
Bamboo happiness in Asia for several hundred years is considered a symbol of health, success and happiness. The Chinese decided to give it for any reason: birthday, wedding, New Year, etc.
This peculiar cultural phenomenon is beautiful and original. He is able to change the atmosphere in any room. Unpretentious, easy to grow and hardy pseudo-bamboo rightfully deserves the title of one of the most simple indoor plants to care for.