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Mine has been up for a few weeks, and is growing like mad. Its sprouting different levels and leaves are popping up everywhere.

Im not sure what sp it is, but its green in color, pretty slim (in diameter), and has long green leaves sprouting out...

My question is, will it eventually outgrow my tank? Ive seen
someone elses pic (pic below by jaxcham53) mine looks like his, but i need to know how i can 'curve' it to the sides, because i heard they only grow upward....any suggestions?

did anyone here ever grow bamboo in their viv with success?
thanks,
M.N

(not my pic)

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Athena's Antique and Bamboo 503-228-8388 has a few very beautiful varieties of this "Lucky Chinese Bamboo", Including the newist variegated leafed form that I saw at a recent show. Supposedly only 2 nurseries in the world produce it. They do grow upwards naturally. The curled ones are trained from youth to take this shape. I have ones that are woven into a basket shape and it is accomplished with young stems still pliable. Its like a bonzai and amazing.

Maggie

I've got 3 stalks growing in my tinctorius viv. situated right next to the cocohut. Not only are they attractive, they also tolerate low-light levels and don't need constant pruning.
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Randy

The lucky bamboo is not really a bamboo but a species of draceana. If you want to know a bit more about the, check out www.lucky-bamboo-plants.com. It has some good faq about them that is rather interesting and might answer a few of your questions.

Your "Lucky Bamboo" isn't a "true" bamboo but has a fairly close look and is easier to grow.
The shape (that you were referring about) is created using "bosai" techniques of gently wrapping alumium wire at 45 degree angle up it's stem in a manner that it has no gaps between the wire and the stem but not so "tight" as to bite into the stem. Then gently bent the shape (using both hands to support your action). No quick sharp bents or you will break the stem. If it does crack leave wire and that area "as is" it very well may heal. DO NOT bend back and forth as this will break the cambium all around is girth. NOT GOOD. Think the shape in your mind and then gently do it and only once.
Safe is a little at a time over a period of time for a dramatic change in direction.
Alumium wire can be purchased from (better) nursery centers that sell bonsai and supplies. talk to a person in the bonsai department. Let the plant dry as much as you can before wrapping and bending as water gives plants it's structure or stiffness, i.e. celery with it's water stiff and up right, celery dried out limp and very "moldable"
bonsai pronouced "bonesai" never "bonzai"
frogs I'm just learning; Bonsai, yrs. of experience (that's where the "treedimension" comes from
enjoy and go for it......after practicing on a victim 1st.

bosai....oops, shame on me!

I have sevaral stocks growing in one of my vivariums.

are they growing straight up, leaning, etc.? Have you tried to direct their movement or just let them "do their thing"?

They are going strait up the back of the tank and out the back off the hood. The Vivarium they are in is semi-aquatic so I just stuck the roots into the water portion of the tank for a bit more interest.

how tall are they? are the roots spreading in a visible carpet effect, or are they hidden in the substrate?