How much is a jin of money tree seeds, how do you plant them so they sprout, and can they be eaten?
The money tree, botanical name Pachira aquatica, is a small tree 4-5 m tall with a rather loose canopy, and is a very popular indoor foliage plant. So how much is a jin of its seeds? How do you plant them so they sprout? Can they be eaten? According to the Changsha flower market, the market price of money tree seeds varies quite widely, generally around 100-200 yuan per jin. The money tree is native to Mexico in Central America through to Costa Rica; it flowers from April to May and its fruit ripens from September to October. The capsule is nearly pear-shaped and contains 10-20 seeds; the seeds are large, irregular in shape and light brown, and germinate naturally after falling to the ground.
How do you plant money tree seeds so they sprout?
The money tree must be shelled properly. If you sow without shelling, they can still sprout, but sprouting takes longer and the germination rate is only about 50%, which wastes too many seeds.
1. Once the seeds are in hand, shell them promptly (ideally finish shelling them the same day). When shelling, do not hit the uncracked seeds too hard; tap them lightly twice, and put any that do not crack aside for 1-2 days before shelling again. Shelling should be done by several people working in shifts. When shelling, do not use too much force on the seed shell, so as not to damage the embryo part of the seed. After shelling, spread the seeds out in a cool place so they do not heat up and damage the seed embryos. Sow the seeds as soon as they are shelled; they must not be stored, otherwise the germination rate will drop sharply day by day, and after sowing they must be protected from cold air. To promote seed germination, raise the germination rate and germination vigour, and avoid seeds carrying bacteria or viruses, the seeds need pre-treatment. 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 formalin solution. The container used for disinfection must not contain acid, alkali, oil, salt or similar substances.
The specific sowing method for the money tree:
1. Sowing time: some flower lovers may wonder when the right time to sow money tree seeds is. In fact, temperature control conditions are now very adequate, so as long as you can provide a temperature of 20°C or above, you can sow at any time. In places without heating in winter, be careful! In the north, where there is heating, you can ignore this reminder.
2. Sowing medium: flower lovers can choose according to their own situation; peat, nutrient soil, peat + vermiculite and so on are all fine.
3. Germination time: from sowing to sprouting generally takes about 10 days, and then you can see the seedlings.
4. Other points to note: it is recommended to cover the seeds with about 1-2 cm of soil; after sowing, water thoroughly (the pot must drain well, do not let water accumulate), and place it in a semi-shaded environment, then decide according to the temperature whether to cover with film. Under conditions of high temperature and high humidity, the germination rate of the seeds will be higher.
5. After germination, when the seedlings reach 25 cm, flower lovers should consider thinning them out, removing weak and diseased seedlings and keeping the quality ones. Do not be reluctant to do it; only by thinning can the good seedlings grow better.
Can money tree seeds be eaten?
The money tree is native to Mexico in Central America through to Costa Rica. It is cultivated in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. The fruit peel is edible when unripe, and the seeds can be stir-fried and eaten.
Appendix: How to grow the money tree
1. Light: the money tree should be placed in a spot indoors with plenty of sunlight, and when positioning it, note that the leaf surface should face the sunlight. It must not be kept in shade for a long time, otherwise the branches and leaves will become twisted and deformed. It is best to spray water on the money tree leaves once every 3 to 5 days, which both helps photosynthesis and makes the branches and leaves more attractive.
2. Watering: the money tree adapts fairly well to moisture. The first principle of watering the money tree is to keep it moist rather than dry. Water more in the hot summer season and less in winter; water more during the vigorous growth period and less for small newly planted plants. Under normal conditions, watering once every 15 to 20 days is enough.
3. Fertilising: the money tree has a high demand for fertiliser. When repotting, the proportion of fertiliser soil can be one third; fertiliser soil includes a mix of rotted leaf litter, crushed bone meal, bean cake residue and so on. During the money tree's growing period (that is, from May to September), apply a decomposed liquid fertiliser or flower-growing fertiliser once every 15 days, so that it develops deep roots and lush leaves.
4. Temperature: if the temperature is too low or the humidity is insufficient, the money tree may drop its leaves; in serious cases the branches may become bare, and the plant may even die. Keep the temperature above 15°C and spray the branches and leaves often to increase humidity. In late autumn and winter, take care to protect it from the cold and from freezing.
5. Repotting: newly acquired money tree plants do not need repotting that same year, to prevent the tree shape from becoming distorted. The suitable season for repotting is spring, and it can also be done in July or August, making use of the plant's semi-dormant state during the high-temperature period. The requirements for the potting soil are fairly strict; it should be slightly moist and well drained, and an acidic sandy loam containing humus can be used.