How to grow a money tree? Balcony pot cultivation methods and winter care tips

Growing a money tree is fairly simple; as long as you pay attention to soil, water and fertilizer, and temperature, it will grow very well. Planting one and placing it at home is not only pleasing to the eye, but its name alone sounds very auspicious. So if you want to grow one in winter too, how should we care for it? Let's take a look below.

Balcony pot cultivation methods and precautions for the money tree

Cultivation methods

1. Soil: The best soil for the money tree is rich in organic matter, with good permeability and strong water and fertilizer retention, but it is not the best in acidic soil.

2. Watering: The money tree is generally watered twice a week; do not water too much, as it will cause rot and waterlogging. In winter, moisture should be strictly controlled, which helps it overwinter safely.

3. Light: The money tree can grow well in bright or dark places. In summer, maintain relatively high air humidity, pay attention to shade, and avoid direct sunlight; too strong light will burn the leaves. It can maintain a relatively dry environment, but in winter it needs bright light.

4. Temperature: The money tree likes a bright, ventilated environment, and the ambient temperature should be controlled at 15-25°C; in winter the temperature should not be lower than 5°C.

5. Fertilizing: During the growing period, water and fertilizer should be sufficient; in January each year, water lightly and apply nitrogen. In autumn, foliar fertilizer should be sprayed to promote leaf growth and improve cold resistance.

Precautions

1. At noon or in late spring and early summer when it clears up after a long rain, pay attention to sun protection and give the plant appropriate shading.

2. In winter, the potting soil must not be too moist; otherwise, under low temperature conditions, the plant's root system will rot, so it is better to keep it on the dry side.

3. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, all forms of fertilizing must be stopped; otherwise, under low temperature conditions, the fertilizer will damage the roots and stems.

4. In winter when it is especially cold, pay attention to protecting the plant from the cold. At night, you can put two layers of plastic bags over the plant, and when the temperature rises, remove the plastic bags.

5. In summer, listen to the weather forecast in time and prepare to shade the plant as early as possible.

How the money tree overwinters

In winter, the temperature needs to reach above 5°C, otherwise frost damage is likely to occur. In the depths of winter, as long as the temperature stays above 18°C and there is plenty of sunlight, it can grow as usual. When the room temperature is below 8°C, damp, dry, and unventilated, the leaves are prone to water-soaked patches, turn bronze-colored, and fall off. When the temperature is below 5°C, all the leaves fall, the tender branches lose water and dry up, and in severe cases the whole plant dies. Generally, it is brought indoors to overwinter in November, and taken out after "Grain Rain." The money tree has strong adaptability to moisture; whether watered heavily outdoors or not watered for more than 10 days indoors, it will not suffer waterlogging or drought. But in winter the potting soil should avoid being wet and is best kept slightly moist; otherwise the leaf tips are prone to scorching, or even leaf drop. If the room temperature is around 12°C, watering once a month is enough.

What to do if the money tree's leaves turn yellow

1. If the money tree is watered too much, the potting soil will become too moist and water will accumulate; over time this will cause the money tree's roots to rot, and the symptoms of root rot will cause the money tree's leaves to turn yellow. The remedy is simply to control the amount of watering. First dig the money tree out of the pot, being careful not to damage the roots, and check whether the roots have rotted. If they have rotted, bury it in sandy soil, do not water it, and only spray water around it, wait for the roots to return to normal, then take it out.

2. During the growing process, because the environment gets no light and remains in a dark state, the leaves become leggy, the branches become thin and shriveled, and the leaves become smaller, affecting normal growth, which then causes the leaves to turn yellow. The remedy is to let the plant gradually receive sunlight. You can first move half the plant to a sunny place, then slowly move the whole plant to the light, giving it the light it needs for growth, so that the leaves gradually return to green, but be careful not to expose it for too long or to direct strong light.

3. If the temperature is too high, the leaves will be scorched and slowly turn yellow. If the temperature is too low and the potting soil is also damp, it will cause root rot, which then affects the growth of the leaves and turns them yellow. The remedy: when the temperature is too high, shade it appropriately; do not expose it to light for too long, as this will raise the temperature, so after a period of exposure, move it to a cool place to lower the temperature. When the temperature is low, pay attention to cold protection; you can wrap the plant with plastic film to take good cold protection measures.

4. The leaves of the money tree can suffer piercing-sucking damage from scale insects. This affects the plant's growth, and when it spreads to the leaves, it will make the leaves turn yellow. The remedy: first, you can use transparent tape to stick and remove the insects, or use a damp cloth to wipe off the insect bodies. The most direct method is to spray with chemicals: you can spray a 1000-fold dilution of 20% buprofezin wettable powder to completely eliminate the source of the insects.

The role of the money tree

1. Ornamental value

The money tree plant has even-pinnate compound leaves, and all the compound leaves have a swollen leaf axis, looking overall like a protruding belly, large and round. Its leaves also have irregular dark brown markings, very much like a girl wearing camouflage clothing, gracefully standing. On the compound leaves there are also small leaflets growing, fleshy, deep in color, green, bright and beautiful, and even glossy. Such a beautiful money tree, if grown as a potted plant at home, truly has great ornamental value.

2. Air purification Because the money tree's leaves are thick in texture, large and sturdy, it can absorb toxic gases and release oxygen through photosynthesis, bringing fresh air to people's living environment. During the day, the money tree can absorb carbon dioxide in the room, as well as dust and debris in the air, and at the same time release oxygen. It has especially strong absorption of harmful gases such as formaldehyde and benzene indoors. Such a good natural purifier, isn't its role great?

3. Feng shui role The money tree is called the money tree because it has a very good meaning. When the money tree is grown as a potted plant and kept indoors, it can be placed in the bedroom or on the balcony, dining table, etc. Its meaning symbolizes bringing in wealth and treasure, abundant sources of wealth, and prosperity and honor. So the feng shui role of the money tree is also deeply loved by people.

The money tree has high ornamental value and can purify the air, but an important reason most people like it is its excellent meaning and its role in improving feng shui. Whether placed in the living room or bedroom at home, from a feng shui perspective it is an excellent position and can add wealth luck to the home.