How to plant money tree seeds? What to do when it grows too tall
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) has an elegant and attractive appearance, with stems and leaves that stay emerald green all year round. The branches of young seedlings are soft and tolerate pruning well, making it a very common indoor tree that can be grown in pots. It is also processed into various artistically shaped stump specimens and bonsai. But how do you plant money tree seeds?
How to plant money tree seeds
The shelling method for money tree seeds must be done properly. If you sow without shelling, the seeds can still sprout, but germination takes longer and the germination rate is only about 50%, which wastes too many seeds.
Generally speaking, once the seeds are in hand, they should be shelled promptly (ideally all shells removed the same day). When shelling, do not knock too hard on seeds whose shells have not cracked; tap lightly twice instead. Those that do not crack should be left for 1~2 days before shelling again. Shelling should be done with several people dividing the work. When shelling, do not strike the seed shell with too much force, so as not to damage the embryo part of the seed.
After shelling, spread the seeds out in a cool, shaded place to prevent the seeds from heating up and damaging the seed embryos. Sow the seeds as soon as the shells are opened; they must not be stored, otherwise the germination rate will decline sharply day by day. After sowing, avoid cold air. To promote seed germination, improve the germination rate and germination vigor, and avoid seeds carrying bacteria or viruses, seed pretreatment is needed. Soak the seeds for 1 hour in a 500-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim wettable powder, or disinfect the money tree seeds for 10 minutes with a 100-fold dilution of formalin. The container used for disinfection must not contain acid, alkali, oil, salt or similar substances.
What to do when the money tree is too tall
You can use a saw to cut it apart in the middle, then seal the lower cut with soil, and new buds will grow. Be careful not to let the wound get wet, otherwise it will easily rot. The cut-off upper part can be inserted into the potting soil as a cutting, and it will also take root and grow into a new tree. The money tree has strong vitality and readily sprouts small branches. If this tree is transplanted into a courtyard and allowed to grow freely, it will bloom and bear fruit. The fruit is edible and tastes like peanuts.
Money tree cultivation techniques
The money tree is a perennial evergreen shrub, native to the Malay Peninsula and the South Sea Islands region. For home cultivation, based on its preference for high temperature and high humidity and its intolerance of frost and dryness, focus on the following points:
1. Pay attention to sunlight: The money tree likes high temperatures, humidity and sunlight, and cannot be shaded for long periods. Therefore, during care and management it should be placed in a spot indoors with ample sunlight. When placing it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. In addition, every 3 to 5 days, use a spray bottle to spray water on the leaves along with New High Lipid Film once. This not only benefits photosynthesis but also makes the branches and leaves look more attractive.
2. Watering and fertilizing: Watering is an important part of the care and management process. In the high-temperature summer season, water more; in winter, water less. Large and medium-sized plants in vigorous growth need more water, while newly potted small plants need less water.
The money tree is a flowering plant that loves fertilizer, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of common other flowering plants. When repotting each year, the proportion of fertilizer soil can account for 1/3, or even more. During the money tree's growing season (May to September), every 15 days you can apply once a fully rotted liquid fertilizer or a mixed flowering plant fertilizer, to promote deep roots and lush leaves. Spraying New High Lipid Film greatly improves the effective utilization rate of water and fertilizer.
3. Temperature and humidity: The money tree has relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity. During cultivation, take care to maintain a temperature above 15°C, and frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase the necessary humidity. Spraying Zhuangjingling at the appropriate time can make the plant's stems thick and strong, the leaves thick, the leaf color fresh and tender, and the plant lush. In late autumn and winter, spray New High Lipid Film for safe overwintering, and move it indoors for care.
Can the money tree be grown soilless?
The answer is: yes, but do not immerse the money tree too deeply in water. It is enough to immerse only the lower part of the root system in water; do not immerse the entire root system in water!
If there are goldfish in the container, do not add fertilizer to the water; simply change the water frequently. If conditions permit, it is best to oxygenate the water to ensure the oxygen needs of the money tree and the goldfish.
The money tree is a relatively easy tree to grow, not only because of its attractive appearance, but even more because of its auspicious and fortunate symbolism. The money tree can also purify the air and absorb harmful gases such as sulfur and benzene. For people about to move into a newly renovated house, it is a plant not to be missed.