How to water and fertilize a money tree? How often should you water it?

Whether you grow a money tree in your own home or in a shop you run, you always want it to grow lush and green, as if that could bring you even greater wealth. But whether a money tree thrives really does affect a person's feelings and mood, so you must care for it diligently, keeping your good mood as evergreen as the money tree itself.

How to water a money tree

1. The first watering

You have just bought a pot of money tree and brought it home. How should you care for it? Be sure to water it thoroughly first, so the money tree can settle its roots. Pay attention to the amount of water: it must be watered thoroughly, but never let water accumulate. Once it is growing normally, you can water it as usual.

2. Watering frequency in spring, summer, autumn and winter

The money tree has particular watering requirements in each of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.

The money tree grows faster in summer and needs plenty of water, and because high temperatures mean a lot of evaporation, its demand for water is even greater, so you can water it a bit more, once or twice a week. In winter, watering should be less frequent; the money tree is fairly drought-tolerant, so in winter watering once a month is fine. In spring and autumn the temperatures are mild, so water according to the principle of "water when dry, keep dry when wet," keeping the potting soil from drying out and watering once a week.

3. Different environments mean different watering frequencies

Generally speaking, there is a certain pattern to watering during routine money tree care, but the actual practice still depends on the environment in which the money tree grows.

If you grow a money tree in a relatively small room, its evaporation will be somewhat reduced and the watering frequency can be lowered; in a larger office space, you can appropriately increase the watering frequency; when growing a money tree outdoors, water whenever the surface soil looks dry, reduce watering in the rainy season, and also watch out for waterlogging.

How to fertilize a money tree

To keep a money tree growing strong, besides controlling temperature and light, the timing and frequency of fertilization will also affect its growth.

1. Timing of fertilization

There are mainly two times to fertilize a money tree: when repotting and when the money tree is in its growing period, when its demand for nutrients is higher and it can be fertilized appropriately.

Each year when repotting, pour out 1/3 of the soil and add an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer, mixing it evenly. Or simply switch to fertile soil, usually made by mixing leaf litter humus soil (soil from under large trees) with a small amount of garden soil and bean dregs cake. This fertile soil is quite potent, but note that it must be fully decomposed to avoid harming the plant.

2. Fertilization frequency

Fertilize during the growing period (May to September), mainly with decomposed liquid fertilizer or mixed flower fertilizer, applying once about every 15 days, which can help the money tree grow lush branches and leaves.

How to repot a money tree

Take out the money tree plant, remove some of the soil, trim the damaged roots a little, and it is ready for potting. Choose a suitable pot and soil; you can pick a slightly larger pot, and the soil should be moist and well-draining. You can use garden soil plus river sand and wood shavings, mixed in a 3:1:1 ratio.

When potting, pay attention and follow the standard of planting halfway, centered in the pot. Place the money tree plant in the center of the pot, then set the swollen lower part halfway into the pot, and once it is secure you can fill in the soil.

When filling the soil, you can first place some broken tiles at the top of the pot. When filling, be careful not to leave gaps, and do not pack it too tightly, so as not to damage the plant.

After potting, you can spray some fungicide. Do not water at first; leave it in a shady place for a few days before watering.

How to prune a money tree

1. Pruning time

Money trees are generally pruned in spring, specifically in April and May. In early May, when the weather is warm, the plant's branches and leaves are budding and metabolism is vigorous; pruning at this time allows new branches to sprout faster and grow strong.

2. Preparations before pruning

Tools to prepare: gardening shears, specially for cutting thick branches. Try not to use ordinary household scissors, which not only blister your hands but also make the cuts too large, affecting later recovery. Gloves are also necessary; when pruning branches and leaves, it is best to wear work gloves to protect your hands and avoid scratches from stems and branches. Plant preparation: one month before pruning, place the money tree in an environment it likes and apply a dilute liquid fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen, so that after pruning the money tree has enough nutrients to sprout buds.

3. Pruning steps for a money tree

Take a large money tree as an example. The money tree below has grown into a decent shape, with a braided stem and lush branches and leaves, but it is wearing a thick hat on top, and the branches and leaves are a bit messy. Without much fuss, without thinking too much, cut off all the branches and leaves. Keep the small tender buds on the branches and leaves, that is, the green parts in the picture, keeping about 10 cm. For branches that are too weak, cut them off entirely, because their sprouting ability is weak and they will also compete with other branches for nutrients, so they cannot be kept. After pruning, there is no need to apply anything; money trees do not get infected easily. After pruning, place it in a slightly dim place for care. This is how it looks 22 days later; many tender buds have already grown, and a few scattered leaves have emerged. And here it is a month and a half after pruning; doesn't it look much more compact and refined than before?

If you want to grow a money tree well, you need to carry out a series of care measures throughout its growth. Some of the points mentioned in this article are important milestones and essential care tasks in the money tree's growth, and they are the foundation of its growth and development, so everyone must master them.