A Detailed Guide to Money Tree Planting and Cultivation Techniques and Indoor Care Management Methods

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

The money tree, also known as Gua Li or Malabar chestnut, is an evergreen small tree of the Bombacaceae family, native to Mexico and Costa Rica, and is now widely cultivated in southern China. Because the name "money tree" represents good fortune and prosperity, and because it has a graceful form, bright green leaves, and is easy to manage, it is suitable for indoor decoration and beautification after being potted. During festivals and holidays, hotels, restaurants and citizens mostly rush to purchase it, so the money tree has developed rapidly in China's flower market in recent years. Cultivating money trees has become a good project for the majority of growers to make a fortune. Today we will introduce the cultivation techniques of the money tree to everyone.

Biological Characteristics of the Money Tree

1. Morphological characteristics of the money tree: The money tree is an evergreen tree with an upright main trunk. The tree can reach a height of about 10 m. It has a thick fleshy root system and a swollen stem base. The bark of young trunks is smooth and emerald green, and can also be braided into plaits. The leaves of the money tree are palmately compound leaves, with petioles 10-28 cm long, bearing 5-9 leaflets. The fruit of the money tree is a hard capsule; when the fruit matures, the peel changes from green to yellow-brown. Each fruit contains 10-20 seeds, with a light brown seed coat and a navel-shaped scar on the belly. The flowers of the money tree are pale yellow, with slender filaments bearing 2-3 small bracts.

2. Growth habits of the money tree: The money tree likes light and is also shade-tolerant. It can grow under full sun, partial sun or shaded conditions, but long-term lack of light will weaken its growth. The suitable growth temperature for the money tree is 20-30°C. It can also grow below 10°C, but below 5°C it is prone to disease; in mild cases it causes leaf drop, and in severe cases it can lead to death. The money tree has a swollen root and stem base that can store a large amount of water, so it is relatively drought-tolerant, while excessive soil moisture will cause the fleshy roots to rot. The money tree is not very demanding regarding soil; as long as drainage is good, it can grow normally.

3. Styles of the money tree: The styles of the money tree can be divided into single-trunk style and braided style. The braided style is more traditional, and common types on the market include "three dragons", "five dragons", "seven dragons" and several others. It has the soft, feminine beauty of intertwined branches, graceful and elegant in myriad postures. The single-trunk style, however, is natural and beautiful, with strong vitality, and can grow into a spectacular large tree stump, very imposing, and has become a new favorite on the market. For growers, the cultivation techniques of both are basically the same.

Propagation of the Money Tree

Propagation of the money tree can be divided into seed propagation and cutting propagation. Because cutting propagation has the defects of a non-swollen head stem and unattractive seedling stalks, it is generally rarely used in horticultural production. Seed sowing and seedling raising, however, has the characteristics of uniform emergence, straight roots and smooth seedlings, being easy to braid, and being able to grow round, lovely "radish heads", so it has become the propagation method commonly used by the majority of flower growers. The specific methods are as follows:

1. Seed collection and selection: The money tree blooms twice a year and can also produce seeds twice. The first time it blooms in April-May, and the fruit matures in July-August. The second time it blooms in September-October, and the fruit matures in December. Growers should choose mature, plump seeds, remove shriveled, cracked and moldy seeds, and must not use seeds from inferior trees or trees with obvious disease.

2. Sowing: Before sowing, the land should be deeply plowed and finely harrowed, and seedbeds suitable for seed growth should be divided. At both ends of the seedbed, we stretch a rope respectively, insert a bamboo stick every 0.3 m to set the row spacing, and use a wooden board to connect the bamboo sticks on both sides to draw a straight shallow furrow. In this shallow furrow, sow one seed per hole at a plant spacing of 0.1 m. One mu of land can raise about 10,000 seedlings. When placing the seeds, be careful to face the seed hilum downward, so that the money trees that grow will be straight and upright. The seed covering soil should be about 2-3 cm thick, and must not be too thick, so as not to affect the emergence of the money tree. After covering with soil, also be careful to cover the seedbed with a black shade net to avoid the seeds being scorched by the hot sun. Only when the seeds germinate can the protection of the shade net be removed.

3. Daily management during the seedling stage: After 4 days, the seedlings can emerge. After emergence, the following management should be carried out.

① Watering: After removing the shade net, water once every 1-2 days. A sprinkler head should be installed at the front of the hose; do not water directly with a faucet. Watering should continue until the soil surface is fully moist. After the seedlings are all up, water once every 3-5 days. After 1-2 months, water appropriately according to weather and temperature conditions.

② Fertilizing: The entire seedling-raising period can be fertilized 3-5 times. The first time is after the seedlings are all up. Compound chemical fertilizer can be used, about 2.5 kg per mu, applied by manual broadcasting. Because the root system of a single seedling occupies a very small area, it is very important to spread the fertilizer evenly on the soil. This requires the fertilizer applicator to be especially experienced, and the speed of hand swinging and walking must be uniform and consistent. After fertilizing, wash the leaf surface with water so that the fertilizer can be absorbed quickly. After that, fertilize once every 1-2 months, with the amount gradually increasing, between 2.5-7.5 kg per mu.

③ Weeding: Because the seedlings are densely planted and need a large amount of nutrients, if there are too many weeds in the seedbed, it will affect the growth and development of the seedlings, so growers should promptly pull out the weeds in the seedbed.

Field Management of the Money Tree

1. Lifting seedlings: When lifting seedlings with a hoe, be careful and move slowly; do not damage the roots of the money tree. The dug-out seedlings need two treatments. The first is root pruning: cut off excessively long roots, leaving only about 25 cm. The second is branch pruning: cut off the branches from 1.2 m above the stem base of the money tree to ensure sufficient nutrient supply to the main trunk. Because the degree of development of each money tree seedling is not necessarily the same, growers should also grade the seedlings according to height and must not plant them mixed. Here growers should be especially reminded that the seedling-lifting time for braided money trees is earlier. When the seedlings grow to 0.6 m, they should be lifted, while single-trunk money trees must wait until the seedlings grow to 1.5 m before they can be lifted and planted.

2. Planting: The planting of money trees is divided into braided planting and single-plant planting. Braided planting means that before the seedlings are transplanted to the field for cultivation, they must first be braided. Below we will take the "five dragons" style as an example to introduce in detail the braiding method of the money tree.

① Seedling selection: First, the five money tree seedlings we choose must be consistent in size and thickness, and none of them may have disease or bruising. Then these seedlings should be placed in a cool place for 2-3 days to dehydrate them and make the stems relatively soft.

② Braiding method: First we number the five seedlings, then place No. 1 and No. 2 diagonally to the right, then place No. 3 and No. 4 diagonally to the left, and finally place No. 5 in the middle. Then use a rubber band to tie the roots of the five seedlings together and fix them. Next, use No. 1 to press the two seedlings beside it, namely No. 2 and No. 5, then use No. 4 to press the two beside it, namely No. 3 and No. 1, then use No. 2 to press No. 5 and No. 4, then use No. 3 to press No. 1 and No. 2, and so on. We always use the outermost seedling to press the two seedlings immediately next to it. Finally, use a rubber band to tightly tie the end of the braid to prevent it from coming apart. Growers should note that the distance between each braid should be uniform, so that the money trees that grow in the future will be beautiful. During the operation, the braid body will naturally bend to one side, and we need to press it straight with a heavy object in a cool place. Finally, plant the straightened money tree into the field. Apart from the different styling, the planting techniques of braided planting and single-plant planting are completely the same.

③ Generally, plant at a density of about 450 plants per mu. The plant spacing between seedlings is 0.75 m, and the row spacing is 2 m. According to this standard, growers dig holes 30 cm deep and 30 cm wide in the ground, then place 50-100 g of base fertilizer in each hole, and use a hoe to mix the fertilizer evenly with the soil in the hole. When planting the tree, place the seedling vertically in the hole, backfill soil in layers and firm it. When backfilling, protect the trunk so it remains upright. The backfill depth should be approximately the same as the depth at which the seedling was buried in the seedbed. Newly planted seedlings should be watered once with settling water, using about 3 jin of water per plant.

3. Daily management: After planting, money trees need strengthened maintenance and management to ensure their survival and healthy growth and development. We need to pay attention to doing the following items well.

① Watering: During the growth period, the money tree is not very demanding regarding water. After planting, watering once every two months is sufficient. If the weather is hot and dry, the number of waterings can be increased as appropriate. The irrigation amount should be sufficient and full; never let the surface soil be wet while the subsoil remains dry. Generally, watering should penetrate to a depth of 80 to 100 cm.

② Fertilizing: In the first year after planting, apply topdressing once every half year, using the hole application method. Hole application is a method of concentrated fertilization and economical fertilizer use. The specific method is as follows: First, between every two trees, dig a hole about half a meter from the base of the trunk, 10 cm deep and 20 cm wide, then put 25 g of compound chemical fertilizer into each hole, and finally cover with soil to prevent fertilizer loss. In dry seasons, growers can also mix compound chemical fertilizer into water, using 3 jin of water per hole on average, and fertilize in the form of water and fertilizer. This can accelerate root absorption by the seedlings and improve fertilizer utilization. In the second and third years, fertilize once each year, with each application being twice the amount of the first year.

③ Pruning: Pruning should be carried out in summer, preferably from early June to early July. The techniques of pruning are, first, thinning: for example, money trees planted for less than 1 year generally have a relatively low main trunk, so generally select vigorous, upright branches to keep as the main trunk, and thin out the remaining branches according to different situations, mainly thinning out overly dense side branches and water sprouts in the crown. The second is heading back: that is, cutting off upright, strong side branches. According to the principle of suppressing the strong and keeping the weak, removing the upright and keeping the horizontal, carry out moderate heading in stages, leaving small branches below the cut, and do not cut from the base, so as to avoid weakening the tree's growth.

4. Common pests and diseases and their control: The money tree has strong disease resistance, and under normal conditions there are relatively few pests and diseases, but under high temperature and high humidity, pests and diseases are likely to occur. The common insect pests of the money tree are mainly moth larvae, such as the larvae of the nettle caterpillar, the larvae of the swallowtail butterfly, etc., which can be treated by spraying with avermectin solution diluted 1500-2000 times. The diseases of the money tree mainly include anthracnose, gray blight and stem base rot. Below we will introduce the treatment methods of these diseases respectively.

① Anthracnose: Its main symptoms are: the lesions mostly spread from the leaf tip downward, and the lesion color is dark brown to gray-brown. The control method is to apply less nitrogen fertilizer, apply more phosphorus fertilizer, reduce leaf surface humidity, change leaf surface watering to base watering, and maintain good ventilation. For medication, use carbendazim wettable powder 600 times solution spray, continuously 2-3 times, once every 7 days.

② Leaf blight: Its main symptoms are: the lesions are yellow-white to gray-yellow, irregular in shape, and when humidity is high, needle-tip-like scattered small particles appear. The control method is to keep the environment clean, promptly handle diseased leaves, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and enhance the plant's disease resistance. For medication, use copper oxychloride suspension concentrate + mancozeb wettable powder diluted 800 times at a 1:1 ratio, sprayed once every 10-15 days.

③ Stem base rot: Its main symptoms are: the color of the cortex at the stem base is abnormal, appearing grayish-dark to grayish-black, and spreads deeply into the xylem, ultimately causing the entire tree to wither and die. The control method is to operate carefully during the lifting, planting and transportation of the money tree to minimize artificial wounds. For lightly diseased plants, first scrape off the diseased area with a small knife, then soak and disinfect with potassium permanganate 600 times solution. For severely diseased plants, thoroughly cut off the infected parts.

After two years of cultivation, when the stem of the money tree becomes thick and strong, it can be transferred to pot cultivation and sold on the market.

Indoor Management of the Money Tree

In the vast northern regions of China, winter temperatures are relatively cold, and money trees cannot survive outdoors, so they are generally potted indoors. The money tree has good shade tolerance, and indoor potted maintenance is relatively simple. We should pay attention to the following items.

1. Light: The money tree is shade-tolerant but likes light. If kept in shade for a long time, its growth will slow, the leaf color will fade, and it will lose its luster. Therefore, potted plants should be placed in a place with relatively strong light, such as near a window, and must also be regularly moved to a balcony or outdoors to receive light to restore vitality. However, moving from indoors to outdoors should be done gradually: first for a short time, such as 1-2 hours, then for a longer time, such as 1-2 days; first weak light, then stronger light. Never expose it to scorching sun.

2. Temperature and humidity: The money tree likes warmth and fears cold. In winter, the indoor temperature should be kept above 15°C. Below 5°C, the money tree may die. The first principle of watering is to prefer dry over wet. In the high-temperature summer season, water more, and in winter, water less.

3. Pruning: Indoor potted money trees are generally pruned twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. When pruning, first cut off the newly grown buds on the trunk, with the cut close to the trunk, cut off aged and yellowed leaves and excess weak branches inside the crown, and also appropriately cut off branches that have already extended at the top, so as to maintain a beautiful crown.

4. Repotting: The money tree has a well-developed root system and grows relatively fast. When an indoor potted plant has been grown for 1-2 years and its growth weakens, it should be repotted in time. Repotting is generally carried out in late autumn or winter. Do not water before repotting. If it is difficult to remove, use a shovel and insert it along the pot wall to separate the soil from the four sides of the flowerpot, then grasp the root stem and shake it back and forth to pull the money tree out of the pot and place it in a prepared container. Never dig out the pot soil, so as not to damage the roots. When repotting, prune appropriately according to the length of the root system, remove rotten roots and excessive tangled fibrous roots, then put in well-drained acidic sandy loam. This part should account for about one third of the pot, then add 5-10 g of compound chemical fertilizer, stir evenly with the soil, and then plant the pruned money tree back into the pot. Finally, water until water flows out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.

The money tree has an elegant posture and remains evergreen throughout the four seasons, and has become an outstanding ornamental plant. We sincerely hope that the vast number of farmer friends, relying on scientific cultivation methods and carrying the beautiful wish of "making a fortune", will embark on a true path to prosperity.

Money Tree Planting: How to Grow the Money Tree? A Complete Guide to Money Tree Cultivation and Care Methods

Money tree pictures and information: http://hua.fengqiaoju.com/?album-read-id-715.html

If you want the money tree to grow well, in addition to watering, you must also ensure fertilizer supply. When fertilizing the money tree, just master the principle of light fertilizer and frequent application. For example, for one money tree planted in a flowerpot with a diameter of 20 cm, if applying biological fertilizer, only 20 g is needed each time. If applying chemical fertilizer, mix it at a ratio of 3 per thousand and pour it into the pot. You can also use the method of spraying fertilizer on the leaf surface. Fertilize about once every 20 days.

Finally, be careful to create a ventilated environment for the money tree. If it is not ventilated for a long time, the money tree is prone to pest damage.

Malabar chestnut, also known as Gua Li or money tree, is an evergreen small tree of the Bombacaceae family. It is native to Mexico and Costa Rica. It has palmately compound leaves with 7-11 leaflets, oblong to obovate. There is a horticultural variety, the variegated money tree. Because the name of the money tree is deeply welcomed by merchants and ordinary citizens, and because of its beautiful plant shape, bright green leaves, and hammer-shaped trunk, it is suitable for indoor arrangement and beautification after potting. Therefore, in recent years it has developed very quickly in China's flower market. During festivals, hotels, restaurants, merchants and citizens mostly rush to purchase it to symbolize good fortune and prosperity.

Key Points for Money Tree Cultivation

1. Temperature. The minimum winter temperature is 16-18°C. Below this temperature, the leaves of the money tree turn yellow and fall off; below 10°C, the money tree is likely to die.

2. Light. The money tree is a strong positive plant and is grown in the open field in places such as Hainan Island. But the money tree has relatively strong shade tolerance and can be enjoyed continuously for 2-4 weeks in a place with weak indoor light. After that, place it in a place with strong light.

3. Water. The money tree needs sufficient water during the high-temperature growth period, but it has relatively strong drought tolerance and will not be harmed if not watered for several days. The money tree must never have standing water in the pot, and watering should be reduced in winter.

4. Air temperature. During the growth period, it likes relatively high air temperature; you can often spray a small amount of water on the leaf surface.

5. Repotting the money tree. Repot in spring as needed.

The hand tree, commonly known as the money tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pseudopanax in the Araliaceae family. Its stem is upright, and its leaves are large, alternate, with long petioles, palmately compound, with 9-12 leaflets. The leaflets are 12-15 cm long and about 6 cm wide. Because its tree shape and leaf shape are peculiar and its common name is auspicious, and because it is taken as a good omen, more and more people have introduced and cultivated it recently.

This flower is native to Australia and some islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is suitable for growing in a warm, humid and well-ventilated environment. It likes sun and is also slightly shade-tolerant. It grows best in loose, fertile soil with good drainage.

Potted money trees should be repotted once every 1-2 years, carried out when they are moved out in spring, and necessary pruning should be done on yellow leaves and thin weak branches to promote the sprouting of new shoots. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In spring and autumn, control the frequency of watering according to weather conditions such as sunny or rainy and dry or wet. Generally, water once a day. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, water at least twice a day. During the growing season, fertilize twice a month. For newly grown leaves, also pay attention to spraying water to maintain relatively high environmental humidity. From June to September, shade should be provided, maintaining a light transmittance of 60%-70%, or place it in a place with bright scattered light. After moving indoors in winter, the temperature should not be lower than 5°C, and keeping it around 10°C is better. Water once every 5-7 days, and ensure relatively sufficient light. In addition, during the growing season, if ventilation is poor, red spider mites and scale insects are likely to occur, so pay attention to observation. If pests are found, remove them promptly or spray pesticide.

How to Grow the Money Tree? A Complete Guide to Money Tree Cultivation and Care Methods