What to pay attention to when repotting a money tree, and how to shape it to look good?
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a very common household potted plant, symbolizing rolling in wealth and great prosperity, so many people grow it and place it in their homes. But growing a money tree with high ornamental value is not so simple. The money tree grows very fast, and late spring to early summer is its season of vigorous growth, so you can repot and change the soil for the money tree in this season. What are the precautions for repotting and changing the soil?
What to pay attention to when changing the soil for a money tree
1. Timing of repotting and soil change
When repotting a money tree, it is generally repotted once every 2 years, usually in April in spring, or during its summer dormant period.
When repotting a money tree, you need to base it on the plant's growth condition. If the plant has already grown thick and strong, you need to change it to a new pot and remove part of the soil.
2. Method of repotting and soil change
Take out the money tree plant, remove part of the soil, and trim the damaged roots a little, then it can be potted. Choose a suitable flower pot and soil. You can choose a slightly larger flower pot. The soil should be moist and have good drainage. You can use garden soil plus river sand and wood shavings, mixed in a ratio of 3:1:1.
When potting, pay attention to following the standard of potting halfway and potting centered. Place the money tree plant in the center of the flower pot, then put the lower swollen part halfway into the flower pot, and after fixing it in place, you can fill in the soil.
When filling the soil, you can first place some broken tiles at the top of the flower pot. When filling the soil, be careful not to leave gaps, and do not make it too tight, so as not to damage the plant.
After potting, you can spray some fungicide. Do not water first, and place it in a cool place to care for a few days before watering.
3. Precautions for repotting and soil change
When repotting a money tree, note that it must be planted shallowly when potting, and do not bury all the roots in the soil. Before potting, pruning can be done. At this time, heavy pruning can be carried out. After pruning, the height of the plant will be reduced, and there is no need to worry about the sprouting of branches and leaves. If the branches and stems are of a relatively special shape, such as the braided type, pruning can make the layers of branches and leaves more obvious and the plant shape better.
After potting a money tree, be sure to disinfect and sterilize first to avoid infection of wounds or the production of pests. After potting, pay attention to ventilation, and do not rush to water.
How to shape a money tree to look good
1. Single-trunk style
For plants with thick and large stems, cut the trunk at 1.5-2 m from the pot mouth. After the wound heals, many fine branches will grow from nearby to form a spherical crown, just like a mini potted big tree.
2. Braided style
Suitable for relatively thin plants. Before “braiding”, moderately control water so that the branches and stems become soft. Intertwine 3-5 stems to form a braid shape, or any shape you want to braid. Tie the front section with soft cloth, and after it takes shape, you can cut off the soft cloth.
3. Clump style
Choose newly propagated young money tree seedlings and plant them gathered together to form a clump
Landscape applications of the money tree
1. As a shade tree
Because the money tree is an evergreen tall tree with a loose and fluffy crown, it can form a lot of shade, so it is also used in landscaping to block sunlight and create shady environments. In gardens, it can let visitors rest and cool off, and it can also be viewed, bringing a great greening effect to the garden.
2. As a stump landscape tree
The germination rate of the money tree is very high. With just this point, gardens can use it for pruning to make highly ornamental stump landscape trees. Also, because the money tree always maintains a lush appearance of branches and leaves, gardens also give priority to the money tree, forming a beautiful scenic line of stump landscape trees.
3. As a street tree
The money tree has a very developed root system. It stores a large amount of water and nutrients by itself, is drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, and does not need frequent artificial cultivation and maintenance, reducing the use of manpower and financial resources. Because of its beautiful appearance and fast growth, only simple repeated pruning is needed to ensure a unique and beautiful appearance, so it is also very suitable as a street tree. It greens the roads, purifies the air, and maintains the overall ecological environment of the garden.
Hydroponic cutting method for the money tree
1. Use a sterilized small knife to cut off healthy money tree branches. Note that the cut should be smooth, with a length of about 10-15 cm.
2. Keep 2-3 leaves and remove and discard the rest.
3. Prepare a plastic bottle or cup, pour in half the water, apply rooting agent to the cut end of the branch (if you do not have rooting agent, you can also not apply it), and insert it into the water.
4. Place the plastic bottle or cup in a ventilated and cool place. After about 7-10 days, the cut will take root.
5. After rooting, take out the branch and plant it in nutrient soil. Place the newly planted money tree in a ventilated and cool place. After about 7-10 days, new leaves will grow, and after that it can be cared for normally.
Late spring to early summer is not only the season of vigorous growth for the money tree, but also the best time for pruning the money tree. So while repotting and changing the soil for the money tree, everyone can properly prune the money tree and create a bonsai shape they like.