What fertilizer should you use for a home-grown money tree to make it grow well? How often should you fertilize? How do you take cuttings?

The money tree, whose scientific name is Pachira aquatica, grows 4-5 m tall and is cultivated in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. It can be grown as a potted ornamental; its fruit peel is edible when unripe, and its seeds can be stir-fried and eaten. So, what fertilizer should you use for a home-grown money tree to make it grow well? How often should you fertilize? How do you take cuttings?

1. What fertilizer should you use for a home-grown money tree to make it grow well?

1. Compound fertilizer

This kind of fertilizer can be bought directly from flower shops or flower markets. It comes in granular organic and liquid forms, and liquid fertilizer is usually chosen for home use. Compound fertilizer contains relatively sufficient amounts of various trace elements and can meet the plant's needs in many aspects of growth. Apply it according to the instructions.

2. Household organic fertilizer

In fact, many “waste products” in daily life are natural organic fertilizer for the money tree. You can use decomposed cake fertilizer or fermented rice-washing water. Of course, you can also dry shells or animal bones, grind them into powder, and bury them in the soil; this lets the money tree slowly absorb nutrients without attracting insects.

2. How often should the money tree be fertilized?

There are mainly two times to fertilize the money tree: when repotting and when the money tree is in its growing period, when its demand for nutrients is relatively high and it can be fertilized appropriately. When fertilizing during the growing period (May to September), use decomposed liquid fertilizer or mixed flower fertilizer as the main type, applying it about once every 15 days, which can help the money tree grow lush branches and leaves.

3. How do you take cuttings?

Take cuttings at the right time, from late June to early August, and cut and insert them in the morning or evening. Before cutting, soak half of each cutting in 25PPM No. (1) ABT rooting solution for 20 to 24 hours, then take them out and rinse them clean with water. Use a small wooden stick to make holes in the seedbed surface, then insert the cuttings along the holes, and seal and firm the holes. When the cuttings are shorter, they can be inserted straight; when the cuttings are longer, they can be inserted at an angle. The insertion depth should be just enough that they do not fall over, generally 3 to 5 cm. After inserting, water thoroughly in time, straighten any crooked cuttings, cover with plastic sheeting, and firm the edges with soil.