How to care for a money tree? Practical care tips shared
1. Pay attention to sunlight. The money tree (Pachira aquatica) likes high temperatures, humidity and sunlight, and cannot be kept in shade for long periods. Therefore, during care and management it should be placed in a spot indoors with plenty of sunlight. When positioning it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. Otherwise, because the leaves grow toward the light, the entire branches and foliage will become distorted. In addition, every 3 to 5 days, spray water on the leaves once with a spray bottle; this not only helps photosynthesis proceed, but also makes the branches and foliage look more attractive.
2. Pay attention to watering. Watering is an important part of the care and management process. With too little water, the growth of branches and foliage stalls; with too much water, root rot and death may result; with a moderate amount of water, the branches and foliage grow thick and lush. The first principle of watering is to keep it moist rather than dry, and the second is "two more, two less", that is, water more during the hot summer season and water less in winter; water more for large and medium-sized plants in vigorous growth, and water less for newly potted small plants. When the amount of water is too large, the plant easily suffers root rot, causing the leaves to droop, lose their gloss, and even fall off. At this point, it should immediately be moved to a cool place, the amount of water reduced to the minimum, just enough that the potting soil does not dry out, spray water on the leaf surface several times a day with a spray bottle, stop fertilizing with water, and after about 15 to 20 days it will gradually recover.
3. Pay attention to fertilizing. The money tree is a flowering plant that loves fertilizer, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of other common flowering plants. Each year when repotting, the proportion of fertile soil can account for 1/3, or even more. Fertile soil has a wide range of sources; you can collect leaf litter humus from broadleaf trees, add a little garden soil and mixed bone meal and soybean cake residue to prepare it. This fertile soil is highly effective and easy to obtain, but care should be taken to fully compost it, so as not to "burn" the leaves yellow. In addition, during the money tree's growing season (May to September), every 15 days you can apply once a fully rotted liquid fertilizer or a mixed flower-growing fertilizer, to promote deep roots and lush leaves.
4. Pay attention to temperature and humidity. The money tree has relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity; if the temperature is relatively low or humidity is lacking, leaf drop often occurs, and in severe cases the branches become bare, which not only hinders its ornamental value but also very easily causes the plant to die. Therefore, when cultivating it, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C, and to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase the necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, on the other hand, care should be taken to protect it from cold and freezing during the winter.
Appreciation of money tree bonsai (Part Three)
Tips for growing a money tree at home
The money tree has a graceful posture, a majestic leaf crown, and emerald-green leaves. Placed in a family living room, it is both elegant and generous, and very appealing.
The money tree is a perennial evergreen shrub, native to the Malay Peninsula and the South Sea Islands region. In recent years, through cultivation and selection, it has widely entered urban and rural households in our country. For home cultivation, based on its living habits of liking high temperatures and high humidity and being intolerant of frost and dryness, focus on grasping the following four points:
First, pay attention to sunlight. The money tree (Pachira aquatica) likes high temperatures, humidity and sunlight, and cannot be kept in shade for long periods. Therefore, during care and management it should be placed in a spot indoors with plenty of sunlight. When positioning it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. Otherwise, because the leaves grow toward the light, the entire branches and foliage will become distorted. In addition, every 3 to 5 days, spray water on the leaves once with a spray bottle; this not only helps photosynthesis proceed, but also makes the branches and foliage look more attractive.
Second, pay attention to watering. Watering is an important part of the care and management process. With too little water, the growth of branches and foliage stalls; with too much water, root rot and death may result; with a moderate amount of water, the branches and foliage grow thick and lush. The first principle of watering is to keep it moist rather than dry, and the second is "two more, two less", that is, water more during the hot summer season and water less in winter; water more for large and medium-sized plants in vigorous growth, and water less for newly potted small plants. When the amount of water is too large, the plant easily suffers root rot, causing the leaves to droop, lose their gloss, and even fall off. At this point, it should immediately be moved to a cool place, the amount of water reduced to the minimum, just enough that the potting soil does not dry out, spray water on the leaf surface several times a day with a spray bottle, stop fertilizing with water, and after about 15 to 20 days it will gradually recover.
Third, pay attention to fertilizing. The money tree is a flowering plant that loves fertilizer, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of other common flowering plants. Each year when repotting, the proportion of fertile soil can account for 1/3, or even more. Fertile soil has a wide range of sources; you can collect leaf litter humus from broadleaf trees, add a little garden soil and mixed bone meal and soybean cake residue to prepare it. This fertile soil is highly effective and easy to obtain, but care should be taken to fully compost it, so as not to "burn" the leaves yellow. In addition, during the money tree's growing season (May to September), every 15 days you can apply once a fully rotted liquid fertilizer or a mixed flower-growing fertilizer, to promote deep roots and lush leaves.
Fourth, pay attention to temperature and humidity. The money tree has relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity; if the temperature is relatively low or humidity is lacking, leaf drop often occurs, and in severe cases the branches become bare, which not only hinders its ornamental value but also very easily causes the plant to die. Therefore, when cultivating it, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C, and to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase the necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, on the other hand, care should be taken to protect it from cold and freezing during the winter.
How to care for a money tree in winter: money tree cultivation tips
Many flower lovers ask the editor how to care for a money tree in winter, what to do when a money tree's leaves turn yellow in winter, and whether a money tree will die in winter. This question depends on the region where the money tree is being cared for, because the money tree is a tropical plant with very strict temperature requirements, and if cared for improperly, it is very hard for it to get through the winter. Below, let's look at winter money tree cultivation tips.
Introduction to the money tree
The money tree is also known as Malabar chestnut, Guiana chestnut, Central American kapok, and goose-foot money. It is an evergreen small tree of the Bombacaceae family. It is native to Costa Rica in Latin America, Australia, and some small islands in the Pacific Ocean, and is also distributed in the tropical regions of southern China. The money tree is a perennial evergreen shrub that likes a warm, humid environment in full sun or with slight shade, and it dislikes being exposed to blazing sunlight, otherwise it will wither and die.
The money tree is a popular potted plant. When the temperature reaches 20°C or above, it can be sown, and the germination rate from sowing is quite high. Compared with bought cuttings grown in pots, a money tree grown from your own seed is easier to care for.
How to cultivate a money tree
1. The money tree likes high temperatures, humidity and sunlight, and cannot be kept in shade for long periods. Therefore, during care and management it should be placed in a spot indoors with plenty of sunlight, and when positioning it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. Otherwise, because the leaves grow toward the light, the entire branches and foliage will become distorted. In addition, every 3 to 5 days, spray water on the leaves once with a spray bottle; this not only helps photosynthesis proceed, but also makes the branches and foliage look more attractive.
2. The money tree is a flowering plant that loves fertilizer, and its demand for fertilizer is greater than that of other common flowering plants. Each year when repotting, the proportion of fertile soil can account for 1/3, or even more. Fertile soil has a wide range of sources; you can collect leaf litter humus from broadleaf trees, add a little garden soil and mixed bone meal and soybean cake residue to prepare it. This fertile soil is highly effective and easy to obtain, but care should be taken to fully compost it, so as not to "burn" the leaves yellow.
3. During the money tree's growing season (May to September), every 15 days you can apply once a fully rotted liquid fertilizer or a mixed flower-growing fertilizer, to promote deep roots and lush leaves. Normally keep the potting soil moist; in winter keep the potting soil on the dry side and avoid wetness; otherwise, the leaf tips easily become scorched and withered, and the leaves may even fall off. Prune and repot once every 1 to 2 years, moving it each year into a slightly larger pot, and at the same time add base fertilizer and replace it with fresh nutrient soil, so that it grows vigorously.
4. The money tree has relatively high requirements for temperature and humidity; if the temperature is relatively low or humidity is lacking, leaf drop often occurs, and in severe cases the branches become bare, which not only hinders its ornamental value but also very easily causes the plant to die. Therefore, when cultivating it, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C, and to frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase the necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, on the other hand, care should be taken to protect it from cold and freezing during the winter.
How to care for a money tree in winter
Because the money tree is a plant that loves high temperatures and high humidity, in the cold, dry winter it needs extra attention, so that the money tree can not only get through the winter steadily but also keep its leaves from turning yellow and falling off.
Temperature: In the northern regions of our country, that is, the area north of the Qinling Mountains and the Huai River, winter is relatively cold, and the temperature is lower than the minimum temperature for the money tree to overwinter, so the money tree cannot be exposed to the outside air and needs to be moved to a warm indoor space. Generally, if the temperature stays below 10°C, the money tree may die.
Humidity: In winter the money tree grows slowly, transpiration slows down, and it does not need to consume much water, so watering in winter can be appropriately reduced. Taking a room temperature of 10°C as an example, watering the money tree can be kept to once every 5-7 days.
Light: In winter, the duration of light in the Northern Hemisphere decreases and the light weakens, so it is necessary to ensure the money tree gets enough light. When placing it toward the sun, the leaf surface of the money tree should face the sunlight; otherwise, because of the leaves' tendency to grow toward light, the entire branches and foliage of the money tree will become distorted and its ornamental value will decrease.
Pests: In winter, indoor doors and windows are often closed and ventilation is relatively poor. If the money tree is in its growing season, being in a poorly ventilated environment for a long time makes it prone to red spider mite and scale insect problems. Therefore, indoor ventilation should be strengthened, and attention should be paid to observing whether pests occur; once found, promptly take measures to remove them by hand or spray pesticide. Flower lover's tips
Under normal circumstances, the care temperature for a money tree should not be lower than 10°C (although some flower lovers say it can tolerate as low as 5°C, and others say 10°C, conditions differ from place to place and winter humidity also differs, so flower lovers cannot use this temperature as the only condition for getting through winter, thinking that as long as it does not go below this temperature everything will be fine). Flower lovers need to prepare in advance; in winter the money tree is best cared for indoors with sunlight, with appropriate water control; in short, the higher the ambient temperature, the better.
The money tree is afraid of cold. If the winter temperature reaches below 10°C, in mild cases the money tree loses its leaves and in severe cases it dies, so flower lovers can pay appropriate attention to the money tree's winter situation. 10°C is a reference value; depending on the regional environment, this temperature may be a bit higher or a bit lower, and flower lovers should respond flexibly.