What is the best soil for a money tree? A detailed guide to watering methods
The scientific name of the money tree is Pachira aquatica, and it is a common ornamental green plant. Its seeds are also edible. So, what is the best soil for a money tree? How do you water a money tree? Let's find out together!
1. Soil requirements
1. First, it must be loose
Loose soil provides good aeration. If the soil is not loose, the roots' breathing will be obstructed, which in turn causes problems with the transport of water and nutrients, and growth will weaken.
2. Second, it must be fertile
Fertile soil can supply nutrients, which ensures vigorous growth of the money tree and also reduces the trouble of fertilizing later on. If the soil is poor, the money tree will develop yellow leaves, drop leaves, and so on.
3. Good water permeability
This way, after each watering, the water can penetrate more fully into the lower soil, allowing the plant to absorb enough water while making it less likely for the roots to rot.
4. The soil pH should be acidic
The money tree prefers acidic soil; this is determined by the plant's characteristics. In alkaline soil, the money tree grows poorly.
2. What soil is best
1. The simplest method is to directly use the nutrient soil bought from a store. It contains very rich nutrients, and its aeration and water permeability are both good, so the overall effect is quite good. However, nutrient soil is suitable for most plants; if conditions allow, soil you mix yourself will naturally work even better.
2. There are also many ways to mix it yourself. A slightly simpler one is to evenly mix garden soil, leaf mold, and coarse sand, each making up one third. There is also a more troublesome method: mix six parts garden soil, two parts manure as base fertilizer, two parts coarse sand, and one part peanut cake. Soil mixed this way can suit the growth of the money tree.
3. How to water a money tree
The money tree has strong drought resistance, so you do not need to water it too much when growing it. Watering a money tree depends on the season. In summer, when temperatures are high, transpiration is greater, so you can appropriately water the money tree more, once a week. In winter, when temperatures are lower, the money tree grows slowly, so you can appropriately reduce the frequency and amount of watering, watering once every half a month to a month. In addition, watering differs for plants of different sizes: large and medium-sized plants with vigorous growth need more water, while newly potted small plants need less. If the amount of water is too large, it easily causes root rot, making the money tree's leaves droop, lose their luster, and even fall off. At this point, it should immediately be moved to a cool place, watering should be reduced to the minimum, just enough that the potting soil does not dry out, and a spray bottle should be used to spray the leaf surface several times a day. Stop fertilizing with water, and after about 15 to 20 days it can gradually recover.
The above is the editor's introduction on what soil is best for a money tree and how to water a money tree. I hope it can help you!