Black Mold in Water-Submerged Bamboo

Mold Problems

• Mold problems develop on lucky bamboo plants when the plant is left unattended for extended periods of time. Monitor the root system of lucky bamboo plants regularly. As the plant grows above the water you can also notice the roots growing in the container as well. Roots will start to die off if they occupy all of the available space in the planting container and have no where else to go. These pot-bound roots begin to decay and mold will often appear in the container shortly after. As the roots die off the plant becomes stressed and may start to lose leaves as well. Remove plants with mold and clean the container and stones to remove the mold. Trim roots and leaves with mold and replant your lucky bamboo and provide regular care to prevent future outbreaks of mold.

Water

• Since lucky bamboo plants are grown hydroponically, supplying clean, fresh water is important to maintain the health of the plant and prevent mold from appearing. Lucky bamboo plants should always have at east 1 to 3 inches of water in their planting container, according to the University of Illinois. Use only dechlorinated spring water for lucky bamboo plants. Avoid using tap water that contains additives such as chlorine and fluoride, which can cause damage to lucky bamboo plants, according to the University of Florida. Change the water in your lucky bamboo plant every one to two weeks to prevent mold and algae problems.

Location

• Lucky bamboo plants do not need a lot of light in order to grow healthily indoors since they are small decorative plants. However, they should be placed in a bright location in your home with indirect sunlight. Choose an area that is free from drafts and has a stable temperature.

Fertilization

• Lucky bamboo plants will grow fine for many years in fresh water. You can increase the growth rate and size of the leaves of lucky bamboo plants by adding a few drops of liquid fertilizer to the water once every three or four months, according to the University of Illinois. Take care to fertilize infrequently since too much fertilizer can actually damage the plant and lead to mold problems.

Propagation

• Lucky bamboo plants that are growing too large for their potting container can easily be cut back to a more manageable size. Use pruning shears to make a clean cut through the trunk of the plant and place the cutting in a clean potting container with water and stones.