A Detailed Guide to Money Tree Cultivation and Grafting and Cutting Propagation Methods

Placing a pot of money tree at home makes people feel very cheerful, not only because its leaves are emerald green and glossy, but also because its symbolism is very auspicious, so in recent years it has become a new favorite at flower markets, so how exactly is the money tree cultivated, and what propagation methods are generally used? Let us learn about it below.

Money Tree Propagation Methods (Grafting, Cuttings)

1. Grafting

First, cut the collected scion into 8-10 cm long scions with 2-3 buds, at the lower end 3 cm from the lowest bud of the scion, whittle both sides into 2-3 cm long wedge-shaped slopes, and the scion surface should be flat and smooth. Second, use a splitting knife to gently split vertically down from the center of the cut surface of the rootstock, with the split opening about 3 cm long. Use the splitting knife to gently pry open the split, quickly insert the prepared scion, so that the cambium of both the scion and the rootstock aligns, so they grow together well. Then, after joining, immediately bind tightly with plastic film tape, do not let the scion and rootstock move, and smear the cut with yellow mud or grafting wax, to prevent water evaporation and avoid soil falling into the cut, affecting healing. Finally, bury the rootstock and scion completely with wet soil.

2. Cuttings

First select robust, pest-free, fine-trait half-lignified branches of the current year, cut them on cloudy days or windless mornings, with a cut length of 6 to 7 cm, the lower cut in a horseshoe shape, located below a leaf or axillary bud, and the cut should be smooth, which helps form healing tissue. Generally each cutting carries 2 palmate leaves. Be careful not to damage the leaves, to facilitate photosynthesis, generally cuttings are taken from late June to early August, and should be cut and inserted in the morning and evening.

Before cutting, soak half of the cutting in 25PPM No. (1) ABT rooting solution for 20 to 24 hours, take it out and rinse it clean with water, poke holes in the seedbed surface with a small wooden stick, then insert along the holes, and then seal the holes and press firm. When the cutting is shorter it can be inserted straight, when the cutting is longer it can be inserted at an angle, and the cutting depth is based on not falling over, generally 3 to 5 cm. After cutting, water thoroughly in time, straighten any crooked cuttings, cover well with plastic sheeting, and press the edges firm with soil. After cutting, ensure environmental conditions suitable for rooting.

Money Tree Cultivation Methods

1. Choice of Environment

The money tree is highly adaptable, likes light and also tolerates shade, and grows well in full sun, half sun or shaded places. But if grown in dark places for a long time, its vitality will deteriorate. When summer arrives, 50% shading is best, to avoid the scorching sun causing leaf tips and leaf edges to wither and scorch. For indoor cultivation and viewing it is best placed in a spot with some scattered light, and it should not be kept there continuously for more than 30 days; if leggy growth and deteriorating vitality appear, it should gradually receive sunlight, and absolutely do not suddenly expose it to strong light, to prevent it from dying of shock.

Money Tree Cultivation Methods and Points for Attention

2. Choice of Potting Soil

Most money trees bought now come with soil provided by the seller, and growers do not need to change the soil the moment they buy it; just grow it for now, and consider changing the soil later. If changing the soil, money tree potted plants generally use loose garden soil or peat soil, leaf mold, coarse sand, plus a small amount of compound fertilizer or chicken manure as base fertilizer and culture soil.

3. Watering

The money tree's root system is very underdeveloped, and many growers' money trees die mostly because of root rot. Then some growers will ask, how often exactly should the money tree be watered, and how much at a time. Here it must be clearly stated that conditions differ from place to place, and pots and soil also differ, so there is no fixed watering standard. So how should growers water? Generally speaking, watering the money tree once a month is not considered little. Also, a little tip for growers: a plant lacking water will not die quickly, and will recover quickly after watering, but if it is waterlogged it is basically beyond saving. The money tree can usually be misted more and watered less.

4. Fertilizing

Normally, if the soil is fertile enough, no fertilizing is needed. If it has been grown for a long time, consider giving light fertilizer, and absolutely avoid heavy fertilizer. For fertilizing you can use some common foliage fertilizers, and remember to use light fertilizer.

Money Tree Planting Points for Attention

1. Repotting: As needed, repot in spring, and prune the branches and leaves once, to promote renewal of branches and leaves.

2. Pests and Diseases: The common diseases of the money tree are mainly root rot and leaf blight, and during growth there can also be damage from the larvae of the sugarcane borer moth. Also note that the money tree can show yellowing leaves and leaf drop; observe promptly and prevent early.

3. Pruning: If the money tree is planted outdoors, then no pruning is needed, just let it grow; but if it is planted in a pot as a foliage plant, then if not pruned in time, it is prone to growing too fast, affecting its ornamental value. Pruning at the right time can control its growth rate, and at the same time can change its shape, making the plant more ornamental.

Money Tree Root Rot Symptoms and Solutions

Symptoms: One is that the leaves suddenly turn yellow and fall off, and in this case yellowing caused by scorching sun must be ruled out; the other is bark peeling off, where the originally brown mottled bark suddenly turns white, and the stem becomes soft, which also indicates root rot.

Solution: Take the money tree out of the pot, clean the soil off the roots; if the rot is fairly severe, it is recommended to clean the soil off the roots with water, then cut off the rotten, blackened roots; if the entire root system has rotted, you can cut off the whole root system, do not worry that it will die, as it will slowly grow roots again after replanting.

If part of the stem is also soft and wilted, gouge that part out as well, soak the treated money tree in potassium permanganate solution for 24 hours, or spray a fungicide on the wounds, let it dry in a cool place, and replant it. After replanting the money tree, the thing to pay most attention to is watering. The pruned money tree's root system has not fully developed, its absorption capacity is weak, and it does not need too much water. Also at this time avoid a humid environment, to prevent breeding bacterial infection.

Although the money tree is relatively easy to plant, its care requires special carefulness, and a little inattention can cause root rot, which is a fatal injury to it. Today we introduced the symptoms of money tree root rot; everyone can check according to the symptoms whether their own money tree has root rot, and if it does, treat it in time.