Money Tree Care Methods, Precautions, Flowering and Symbolism
Money Tree generally refers to Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also called dragon-phoenix wood, zamia taro, and beautiful iron taro. Because its leaves closely resemble strings of coins, it is called the Money Tree, and it is a very popular indoor foliage plant, suitable for placement in the living room, study, or office. So what are the Money Tree care methods and precautions? What should be done if the leaves turn yellow? What does it symbolize?
The Money Tree is an indoor foliage plant that helps purify indoor air. Its newly produced pinnate compound leaves almost always come in pairs of 2, one long and one short, one thick and one thin, so it also has the alternative name “dragon-phoenix wood”, and it symbolizes: bringing in wealth and treasure, glory and prosperity.
I. Environmental requirements for Money Tree growth
1. Soil
The soil should not only be loose, fertile, and well-drained, but also rich in organic matter and preferably acidic to slightly acidic. When choosing soil, you can use coarse sand, peat, washed coal cinder mixed with a small amount of garden soil, and adjust its pH to between 6 and 6.5, making it slightly acidic.
2. Light
The Money Tree is a plant that likes light and tolerates shade, and it is not suitable for growing under strong light. It is best placed near a window where there is something to provide shade, so that it can fully receive sunlight without scorching its leaves from excessive exposure. The shading effect should preferably reach 60%; if it is too dark, the leaves will turn yellow.
3. Temperature
The ideal growing temperature is 20 to 32 degrees. When summer temperatures are high, it needs to be moved to a cool indoor place and more water should be sprayed on the plant's leaves to lower the temperature. In winter, when room temperature falls below 5 degrees, it will harm the plant's growth, so anti-freezing measures should be taken promptly.
4. Humidity
Because the Money Tree has strong drought tolerance, it is better to keep the potting soil slightly moist and on the dry side. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, watering should be reduced, or spraying water can replace watering, to help new tender leaves emerge. In winter, pay attention to spraying water on the leaf surfaces and the surrounding environment so that the relative air humidity reaches above 50%.
II. How to water the Money Tree
Because the Money Tree has relatively high drought tolerance, it is usually best to keep the potting soil on the dry side. When the temperature is above 34 degrees, it is best to water once a day. In autumn and winter, water as little as possible, and spraying the plant's leaves can replace watering.
III. How to fertilize the Money Tree
Because the Money Tree relatively likes fertilizer, it can be fertilized twice a month during the growing season. The most convenient fertilizer choice is to buy fertilizer specifically for Money Trees, which is sold in flower markets. If chemical fertilizer is used, choose a mixture of 02.% urea plus 0.1% monopotassium phosphate.
IV. How to propagate the Money Tree
1. Cuttage
Money Tree cuttings can use a single small leaflet, a section of leaf rachis with 2 leaves, or a single section of leaf rachis. Cuttings with leaf rachis and leaves root quickly, have a high sprouting rate, and relatively easily form larger tubers.
2. Division
Remove a large Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant from its pot, shake off most of the old soil, break it apart at the weak connection points of the tubers, apply sulfur powder or plant ash to the wounds, and plant them separately in pots. Note that when planting, do not bury them too deeply; burying the top of the tuber 1.5-2 cm below the soil is enough.
Pay attention to the temperature and burial depth when dividing. Division is best done when the temperature is above 18 degrees. You can break apart one place at the weak connection point of the tubers, plant it in a prepared pot, and do not bury it too deeply; burying the top of the tuber 1.5 to 2 cm below the soil is enough. It is best to apply sulfur powder or plant ash to the broken area.
3. Leaf cutting
Money Tree leaf cuttings easily root in a substrate and can be used for propagation. Each mature compound leaf has 15-25 leaflets; if used for propagation, this can greatly increase the propagation rate. Cut leaflets of different maturity levels, or double leaves with the whole petiole, or single leaves with the whole petiole, and insert them in a clean river sand bed, or they can also be directly inserted into substrates such as peat. When cutting, place the leaves flat or insert them upright, and keep the sand bed moist after cutting. After 50-60 days, the base of the petiole or whole petiole swells, and then thick new roots grow from the side.
V. Money Tree pruning methods
1. Pinching: Pinching the Money Tree inhibits tall growth and encourages side branches to spread flat; the tender tips of the branches can be removed.
2. Bud removal: Many adventitious buds grow on the base and trunk of the Money Tree and should be removed promptly to avoid wasting nutrients. However, strong buds at individual positions lacking branches should be kept to cultivate into useful branches.
3. Leaf removal: The best viewing period for the Money Tree is mostly when new leaves sprout. At this time the leaves are small and delicate, either bright and eye-catching or verdant and fresh, very pleasing to look at. By removing old leaves, the tree can send out new leaves again, adding another good viewing period.
4. Branch pruning
(1) Shaping: The Money Tree often grows many new branches. To keep it attractive, it should be pruned. How to prune can be determined according to your preference for the tree bonsai form. Usually it can be pruned into a natural form, trimming the branch pads into cloud-like shapes. It can also be pruned into branch pads that are slightly higher in the middle, of unequal sizes, with an outer outline like a melon-seed shape, which looks more elegant visually.
(2) Branch cutting: When pruning the Money Tree, all clustered branches, crossing branches, inward-facing branches, overlapping branches, parallel branches, and leggy branches should be cut off, and branches called “top-heart” branches should also be considered for removal.
VI. Care precautions
(1) Repot and change the soil in time. After the temperature drops below 15°C, all forms of topdressing should be stopped to avoid fertilizer damage to the roots under low-temperature conditions. Do not water excessively, to prevent root rot.
(2) The Money Tree has large tubers, which sprout numerous buds and form many small tubers. Compound leaves have a lifespan of more than 2-3 years. Money Tree seedlings do not grow quickly and can be grown in small or medium pots for viewing, and are also suitable for large combined plantings.
(3) In winter, special attention should be paid to the potting soil not being too wet; it is better to keep it on the dry side. Otherwise, under low-temperature conditions, overly wet potting soil more easily causes the plant's root system to rot, or even the whole plant to die.
Many friends will, during ordinary care, end up with Money Trees showing yellow leaves, fallen leaves, wilting, frost injury, and other phenomena, and do not know the reason. Let us analyze it: