ABOUT LUCKY BAMBOO
According to ancient Oriental folklore, Lucky Bamboo plants have been given as gifts to friends and loved ones during times of celebration. A wedding, a birth, a birthday, a house-warming, a new business endeavor or just an expression of wishing someone Good Fortune are all perfect times to give gifts of Lucky Bamboo arrangements.
Lucky Bamboo plants have also gained international popularity because they are so easy to care for and have such a powerful significance in the art of Feng Shui.
Lucky Bamboo is one of the plants recommended by Feng Shui masters to improve the flow of Ch'i or life's positive energy in a room, house, or building.
You can place Lucky Bamboo on the East side of your home, office, or recreation
area as you face the door. Soon you will notice a new feeling of balance
and positive energy inside the room.
 The picture on the right was taken in southern China and shows how Lucky Bamboo plants are grown by farmers. The Lucky Bamboo plants are first planted in wet clay under black shade-cloth that filters out 70% of the sunlight. These growing areas are adjacent to rice fields growing down the sides of mountains. In this area, the top rice field is watered first by flooding
it with water. After several days, the water is then allowed to drain to the next lower level where Lucky Bamboo is being grown. This area is again saturated with water for several days and then the water is allowed to drain to the next growing area.
 The picture to the left shows some workers processing the Lucky Bamboo stalks that have recently been harvested. The Bamboo stalks are cut a 1/4" above a segment on the stalk. These stalks are then placed in water and the top of the stalk is allowed to dry and then is covered with wax. This will allow a new shoot to grow at the site of the segment of the stalk.
After the stalks have been cut, they are placed in containers with water about 2
inches deep. A special fungicide and rooting hormone are used in this water mixture. In approximately 4 to 6 weeks, the Lucky Bamboo plants will begin to form roots and shoots. One month later, the Lucky Bamboo plants will be ready for shipping.
 The picture at the right shows a Styrofoam container filled with Lucky Bamboo plants that are ready for shipping. The Styrofoam containers are used to help control the temperature during shipment so the plants do not get too hot or too cold. The holes on all four sides of the container insure that the Lucky Bamboo plants receive enough air during the shipment.
During shipment, a water enhancing gel is used to keep the plants moist during shipment. There is a very important balance of gel that must be used. If there is not enough gel in the container, the Lucky Bamboo plants will dry out and die. If there is too much gel in the container, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will not allow the Lucky Bamboo plants into the country. Thus, the perfect amount of gel to use is just enough to keep the plants moist until they arrive at the USDA for inspection. Then after inspection, the Lucky Bamboo plants
are placed in a special water solution containing fungicides and anti-transpirants.
History of Lucky Bamboo
 Lucky Bamboo Plants have been a symbol of "Good Fortune" in some Asian cultures for approximately 4,000 years. In these cultures the plant was considered to be a member of the Bambus or Bamboo Family, but in 1936 scientists classified it in Cameroon, West Africa, as Dracaena Sanderiana, a member of the Dracaena Family.
In Chinese, it is called "Fu Gwey Zhu". Fu means Wealth, Rich; Gwey means Power, Honor; Zhu is Bamboo.
Lucky Bamboo Plants have been found in both tropical and temperate climates
in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. It's served many
uses throughout these regions.
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