Plant Problems: The Lucky Bamboo That Could

I am a fan of Ikea. I shop there as often as I can with my sister. It's a little like going to an amusement park for us, but with better food. Plus, they sell plants, fake and real in their showroom.

But, that's not where I got this heavily yellowed Lucky Bamboo.

It was in their "as is" section. They marked it down to $2 because of the yellowing. 

A well-meaning fellow shopper tried to warn me not to buy it. She claimed it was basically dying because the yellowing was from the bottom going up. I bought it anyway. 

Because I know that when you have a plant in such a bad state, then the only solution is to chop off the good part and try to root it. So, I cut this Lucky Bamboo about 2 inches above the extremely long yellowed bit, then stuck it in water hoping for the best.

It took a few weeks, but it did pop out some roots and later new leaves.

The difference is incredible. I had to cut back the right side because it was getting a little too tall. Not bad for a plant that was supposedly a goner.

Hopefully this Lucky Bamboo will continue being lucky for me.

Stay green. 

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Plant Problems: Trouble with My San Marino Radiator Plant

One of the very first plants I got years ago was a radiator plant, specifically a peperomia caperata 'Rosso'. I named it Pepper Ann, and it lived in the breakroom at work.

Despite the fact that peperomias are considered "easy" plants, Pepper Ann died a sad, sad death. A mixed of climate problems (thank you Arizona heat) and root rot claimed her. May she rest in peace.

I stayed away from all Radiator plants, not wanting to repeat the tragedy.

Until August of last year, when I saw this sweet plant at a grocery store. It's a peperomia 'San Marino'. Surely, this time would be different, right?

Well, about that...

About July, my San Marino plant started to go downhill. I tried repotting it in a smaller pot (because it was considerably smaller), and it seemed to do okay for a while. Then it got worse.

 A couple of weeks ago I found this. Where are the roots? That's right, rot is claiming another victim.

I trimmed it back and tried to stick it in water to hopefully re-root. I really doubt it will make it at this point.

But there's is still one spark of hope.

When I repotted it, I also took some healthy cuttings and started rooting them in water.

Roots started to pop out within a week, and they're are doing just fine. I'm not sure if I will pot them up or just keep growing them in water. I seem to have better luck growing Radiator plants hydroponically.

So I may have lost the battle this time, but I am winning the war.

Wish me luck, and stay green.

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