Does lucky bambo have anything to do with success?

By Ted Meseyton, From the Garden

Posted 1 year ago

Jan Verwey, 28, opened Tornado's Restaurant and Lounge in November 2008. She attaches no significance to lucky bamboo, even though Tornado's has been a good business venture for her. Discipline and hard work are paying off for this energetic and youthful Portage la Prairie businesswoman.

Visually attractive

… green, tropical, lucky bamboo stems are prominently displayed at Tornado's in several large rose bowls containing water. A giant blue Chinese fighting fish nibbles at stem roots that penetrate into pebbles at the bottom. I asked Jan why she chose lucky bamboo.

"They look unique and stand out," Jan said. "I've had these same bamboo stems since we opened and never had to replace any."

So-called Lucky Bamboo

… is not bamboo at all. Sprouted stems are harvested from an erect tropical shrub of the agavé family, botanically known as Dracaena sanderiana. It grows outdoors in rich soil and tropical climate. Sometimes it's called ribbon plant because of the curling nature of some stems that sprout glossy green leaves. When cut, they stay fresh and lush for the longest time. They even grow in darkness or low light, and can be trained to twist and form interesting shapes. All this is achieved with low maintenance and periodic changes of water.

China, Taiwan and Thailand are currently feeding North America's hungry appetite for lucky bamboo. It has long been considered a good omen to have some prominently displayed for any auspicious occasion. Lucky bamboo is considered a favourable symbol for celebrations of any nature in Asian cultures.

Feng Shui

According to the ancient Oriental art of feng shui, it's important to create living and work space areas that are in balance with nature. This is achieved by placing lucky bamboo on the east side of a room or toward the eastern periphery of a home or business interior. Such placement signifies an invitation to harmony, happiness, peace, tranquility and success within.

A gift of only a single stem, or a whole bundle of lucky bamboo, or some stems placed within an arrangement is reputed to bring good fortune to both the giver and receiver.

Long-lived

If nothing else, connecting with lucky bamboo might help us feel less stressed out, exercise more, live longer, and nudge us to prosper. The very words "lucky bamboo" tend to establish a sense of positive thinking.

Do you hope to become an entrepreneur one day? Lucky bamboo may be one of the essentials toward your future success! Just ask Jan Verwey at Tornado's.

The name "lucky bamboo" has caught on and it's doubtful Canadians will ever call it anything else.

Ted Meseyton is the Singing Gardener and Grow-It Poet from Portage la Prairie. His e-mail address is singinggardener@mts.net

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