How to care for a small-leaf money tree? Growing methods and precautions

The small-leaf money tree usually refers to the schefflera (umbrella tree), a plant commonly found in evergreen broad-leaved forests in tropical and subtropical regions. So what are the growing methods and precautions for the small-leaf money tree?

1. Growing methods for the small-leaf money tree

It needs to be placed in a spot with sufficient light and good ventilation for growing. The suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C. Summer is relatively dry and hot, so it can be watered more, generally once a day; in other seasons, water generally once every 3-4 days. Later, fertilize according to the growth of the small-leaf money tree.

The most suitable growing environment in summer is semi-shade, so during the summer growing season it should be placed in a shaded spot for care. For outdoor planting, use a 70% shade net for shading to prevent scorching by the intense sun, which could burn the leaves and make the leaf color dull.

From March to September is the peak growing season; apply some compound fertilizer or cake fertilizer water every 2-3 weeks. Variegated varieties should not be fertilized too much (especially nitrogen fertilizer), otherwise the leaves will turn green and lose the characteristics of the original variety. Variegated-leaf varieties should be given less nitrogen fertilizer to prevent the variegated patches from fading or disappearing.

2. Precautions for growing the small-leaf money tree

During the growing period, pay attention to pest and disease control and pruning. In summer, pay attention to sun protection; in winter, pay attention to keeping warm.

Common pests and diseases of the small-leaf money tree include leaf spot disease, scale insects, thrips, etc., among which:

1. For leaf spot disease, use 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder or 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 800-1000 times dilution, or 50% thiophanate wettable powder or 65% zineb wettable powder at 500-600 times dilution and other solutions for control.

2. For scale insects, dilute Jiebizhi 750-1000 times and spray, focusing on spraying the parts where scale insects occur, until wet but not dripping. When scale insects are severe, spray again every 7-10 days for a more noticeable effect.

3. For thrips, spray 80% dichlorvos at 10000 times dilution; 40% omethoate at 1500 times dilution for control.

The small-leaf money tree tends to sprout leggy branches. Usually pay attention to shaping and pruning to promote the sprouting of side branches and maintain a good tree shape. For young plants, carry out thinning and light pruning, mainly for shaping. When an old plant becomes too large, heavy pruning can be carried out together with repotting, cutting off most of the branches; at the same time, part of the roots must also be cut off, then repotted so that new leaves sprout.