How to prune the branches and leaves of a money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) for an attractive shape

Most plants grown at home are cultivated in flower pots, so they usually appear in the form of bonsai. The money tree is a very typical bonsai plant. Since it is a landscape feature, it needs to be beautiful, so pruning and shaping are essential. Reasonable pruning and shaping can not only beautify the plant's appearance but also effectively promote the plant's growth.

How to prune the branches and leaves of a money tree

1. Specific pruning methods for the money tree

1. Pinching

Remove the tender tips at the ends of the branches. This can inhibit the branches from growing upward and encourage the surrounding branches to spread out flat.

2. Bud removal

Promptly remove the irregular new buds on the base of the money tree trunk and on the trunk body to avoid consuming nutrients, but at the same time also pay attention to protecting the strong buds at individual positions lacking branches, and cultivate them into useful branches.

3. Leaf removal

During the period when new leaves are budding, remove the old leaves so that the whole plant looks bright and eye-catching, lush and green. Removing the old leaves can also allow new buds to grow again.

2. Pruning techniques for the money tree

For shaping, regularly prune the new buds that frequently grow out. According to personal preference, it can be pruned into a natural shape, a cloud shape, a mushroom shape, etc. It can also be pruned into a shape resembling a melon seed. Avoid pruning it into a round shape, which looks rigid and tacky. For branch pruning, clustered branches, crossing branches, inward-growing branches, overlapping branches, parallel branches, and leggy branches should all be cut off. The central top branch can also be considered for removal. Under special circumstances, one or two branches should be retained to lay the foundation for future shaping.

How to shape the money tree attractively

The shaping of the money tree is mainly done through pruning and can be determined according to your preference for tree bonsai forms. Usually it can be pruned into a natural form, with the branch pads trimmed into cloud-like shapes, like a miniature of a tree in nature. It can also be pruned into branch pads that are slightly higher in the middle, of varying sizes, and with an outer outline like a melon seed shape.

Propagation methods for the money tree

1. Division propagation of the money tree

1. Preparations

One pot of a vigorously growing money tree.

2. Specific method

In April, when the outdoor temperature reaches above 18°C, take the entire large money tree plant out of the pot, shake off most of the old soil, separate it from the weak points where the tubers join, and apply sulfur powder or plant ash to the wounds, then transplant it into another pot. When planting, do not bury the roots too deeply; keep it 1.5-2 cm below the soil surface.

2. Cutting propagation of the money tree

1. Preparations

For cuttings, a single small leaf, a section of leaf rachis with 2 leaves, or a separate section of leaf rachis can be used. Use the leaf rachis alone or the leaf rachis with leaves.

2. Specific method

Fine sand, or a substrate prepared by mixing peat ash, perlite, and river sand in a 3:1:1 ratio, with the insertion depth into the soil being 1/3-1/2, leaving only the leaves outside the substrate. After spraying with water thoroughly, place it in a shaded area and maintain an ambient temperature of 25°C-27°C. According to the dryness and wetness of the substrate, spray the leaf surface 1-2 times a day, keeping the substrate slightly moist.

When the cuttings have formed a certain root system, the middle of the root will gradually swell to form a small spherical tuber, and the tuber will gradually enlarge. Some of the more tender green cutting leaves will wither and die after being potted due to high temperatures or poor water management, but the tuber can survive. Old mature leaves and cuttings with leaf stalks can also remain green and vigorous. A small number of tubers can sprout and grow new leaves in the same year, but their growth vigor is weak and growth is slow. The next year, the tubers will grow thick new buds and can grow normally.

Watering methods for the money tree

The money tree is a relatively drought-tolerant plant, so if you want to grow it well, you need to create a suitable environment for it. If the temperature reaches above 30°C, then water the money tree every day, but ensure that the plant's pot soil remains in a slightly moist but leaning dry state. In winter, pay special attention to spraying water on the money tree's leaves and the surrounding environment. Starting from August and September, watering should be reduced. In winter, note that the pot soil must not be too wet, otherwise it can easily cause root rot and even death of the plant.

The growth and development of the money tree and the beautification of its appearance not only require reasonable pruning and shaping, but also reasonable cultivation methods and techniques. Therefore, in addition to learning some pruning techniques and shaping methods, what is more basic and crucial is to provide a suitable growing environment.