Growing lucky bamboo indoors

[woods]

How well does bamboo thrive in indoor conditions? Does low light and constant temperatures cause problems? the grove I have grows about 20 ft. If I get some of this started in a pot, and bring indoors, will the clums still reach this height? Would be kinda bad to have a 20ft. clum trying to grow in your living room!

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Woods,
Is the the variety of bamboo you have a Phyllostachys species? (2 branches at each node) There are a number of species in the Genus Phyllostachys, but as you should be nearing shoot emergence season by now in Missouri, this will be the best time to ID your bamboo.
Phyllostachys spp prefer to have more sunlight, though you could bring it outdoors occasionally to green up if the leaves begin to turn pale. Wait until the shoots have leafed out before bringing it into lower light conditions or the shoot will stretch and grow lanky.
One advantage with bamboos is that they don't grow any taller after they have leafed out.
Divisions taken from the grove won't grow as tall as what you have growing in the grove. That would require planting it in the ground and waiting a couple or more years for succeding years shoots to catch up.
Some bamboos, particularly shade tolerant varietes do better at growing under lower light conditions.
If humidity is low they should be misted occasionally.
Watering needs to be well regulated, not letting the pot dry out, or be oversaturated and continually soggy.
One thing is that if the leaves suffer and become frazzled, a bamboo can look pretty unsightly. Unlike other types of plants that produce new leaves near the trunk, bamboo will only produce new leaves at the tips of the side branches. Also many bamboo species especially temperate species will only produce new leaves during the growing season. Plants brought in for the winter months may not produce many new leaves till spring, so it's important to keep an eye on regular but not over-watering or they can look in a pretty sad shape by spring.

Mark

[lovethatpterodactyl_]

I'm growing a single bamboo stalk, well, three small stalks. Two of the stalks that have been grown at a spiral are getting small, hard baige colored lumps on the under part of the stalk. Is this natural or is my plant infected by bugs or whatnot? There is also a little scarring on the leaves.

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Post Edit: This is not a bamboo, but is commonly called `Lucky Bamboo' because the stalks look similar to bamboo.
See Thread: Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) and pests? (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3452#post3452)