Copper Coin Tree Care Methods and Precautions, with Pictures

SummaryWatering: reduce watering on rainy days and water more in dry weather. Fertilizing: apply sufficient organic fertilizer before winter begins, and in June-July apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer together with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Pruning: after flowering in autumn, carry out 1 pruning, then before bud break in early spring carry out a 2nd pruning. Precautions: it can be planted in fertile, moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil, then during the plum rain season cut vigorous-growing plants to take cuttings.

I. Methods for Growing the Copper Coin Tree

1. Watering

Before the Copper Coin Tree grows new shoots, water it sparingly; usually less water is given on rainy days, while in dry weather in summer and autumn more water is needed. When the Copper Coin Tree enters the flowering stage, water as little as possible; too much moisture will cause the flowers of the Copper Coin Tree to drop and shorten the flowering period.

2. Fertilizing

(1) The Copper Coin Tree likes organic fertilizer. Usually a base fertilizer can be applied before winter begins, generally mainly organic fertilizer; in spring apply quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, as well as well-rotted soybean cake, pig manure, poultry manure and other fertilizers diluted with water, which helps promote vigorous growth of new shoots on the Copper Coin Tree.

(2) From late June to late July, fertilizer mainly of quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer can be applied, together with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, which helps promote the growth of summer shoots.

(3) At the same time, the type and amount of fertilizer need to be decided according to the growth of the Copper Coin Tree. If the number of summer shoots is less than 10-15%, it means the tree is relatively weak, and more nitrogen fertilizer needs to be applied, along with increased frequency and amount; fertilizing needs to be done reasonably according to the local growing environment.

3. Pruning

(1) Because the Copper Coin Tree has relatively strong sprouting ability, usually sending out shoots 1-2 times a year, in order to encourage abundant flowers and foliage, it needs to be pruned appropriately. Usually the best time for pruning is after flowering in autumn, when 1 pruning is carried out.

(2) During this period, according to the growth vigor of the Copper Coin Tree, besides thinning out overly dense branches, also cut away summer and autumn water sprouts, then carry out a 2nd pruning before bud break in early spring, when thin and weak branches and pest- and disease-damaged branches can be cut away, which helps the plant's ventilation and light penetration and encourages the Copper Coin Tree to develop more plump flower buds.

II. Precautions for Growing the Copper Coin Tree

1. The Copper Coin Tree likes light and is relatively shade-tolerant; it likes a warm climate and fertile, moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil. It is not strongly cold-hardy, is relatively able to adapt to urban environments, and has strong resistance to harmful gases.

2. It grows slowly, has strong sprouting ability, and tolerates pruning. Mature Copper Coin Tree seeds can be collected in September-October; the seeds need 3 months of after-ripening before they will germinate, then they are stored stratified in sand and sown in March-April of the 2nd year, with a relatively high emergence rate.

3. During the plum rain season, cut cuttings from vigorously growing plants, each branch 12-20cm long, keep 3-4 leaves at the top, cut away 1/2 of each leaf, then insert them into pots for rooting.

4. Before emergence, keep moist and shaded. Both hardwood and softwood cuttings of the Copper Coin Tree can be used; cutting propagation is usually done as softwood cuttings during the rainy season, which gives a high survival rate.

5. The cuttings are cut from plants that bear many fruits and grow robustly, with a length of 12-15cm and inserted to a depth of 8-10cm; after insertion, shade and keep moist. To promote rooting of the Copper Coin Tree and improve the propagation effect of the cuttings, the cuttings can be treated before insertion; if conditions allow, using ABT No. 2 rooting powder helps increase the rooting rate.

6. The method is to dissolve 1g of rooting powder in 500mL of 95% alcohol, then add 500mL of distilled water to make 1000mL of a 1000mg/L stock solution, then dilute with water to the required 50mg/L concentration before use.

7. Usually before insertion, the base of the branch can be dipped for 2-4 hours, then the treated cuttings are inserted into the seedbed, with a suitable spacing of 10cmX10cm and a depth of 8-10cm; after insertion, firm the soil so the substrate and cuttings are in close contact, then spray with water thoroughly.

8. For propagation of varieties whose leaves have colored markings, this is usually done before bud break in spring, during which the Copper Coin Tree is used as the rootstock, using the cut-grafting method or the bud-grafting method, which gives a high survival rate.

9. The Copper Coin Tree can be transplanted with soil in spring and autumn. Because the Copper Coin Tree has few fibrous roots, take care during the operation to prevent the root ball from breaking apart, and at the same time cut away part of the branches and leaves, which helps reduce transpiration and increase the survival rate.