What to Do When a Money Tree Has Root Rot? Practical Prevention and Treatment Tips
Many people like to keep some flowers and plants at home, and more and more people are tending to keep a pot of money tree at home. This plant not only brings good fortune and wealth energy, but also looks beautiful and elegant, making it a top choice for businesspeople who grow plants. However, the money tree is especially prone to root rot during cultivation. Today, Cherry Girl shares some tips for preventing and treating money tree root rot. Friends who are interested in tips for preventing and treating money tree root rot, take a look!
In the process of caring for a money tree, many people have this problem: why does their money tree always fail to thrive, and with one carelessly wrong move it gets root rot and withers? The key is that root rot is different from other diseases and is very hard to detect. By the time the symptoms are obvious, it is already too late to try to save it.
Signs of Money Tree Root Rot
1. Without having been exposed to strong sunlight, the money tree's leaves suddenly turn white and yellow, or even wither and drop off;
2. The epidermis on the money tree's stem begins to become mottled, the trunk turns white and uneven, and may even tend to soften. Once insect pests and other causes are ruled out, this is a series of consequences caused by money tree root rot.
Solutions for Money Tree Root Rot
1. Clean the soil: First, take the money tree out of the flowerpot. During the process, move gently to avoid damaging the roots. Then clean the soil off the surface of the roots;
2. Pruning: Cut off all the rotted and blackened root parts of the money tree, pruning from the root tips downward until normal healthy roots are exposed. Do not be too soft-hearted;
3. Disinfection: Prepare a container, put diluted potassium permanganate solution or carbendazim solution in it, then place the pruned money tree inside and soak for about three hours to fully disinfect and sterilize;
4. Air-drying: After disinfection, place the money tree in a cool and well-ventilated location to dry thoroughly. To prevent the leaves from losing water and withering during this process, you can regularly spray clean water on the surface of the money tree's leaves;
5. Planting: After the money tree has dried, it can be potted and planted. Be careful not to water too much, and wait until the plant has adjusted to the new pot before returning to normal care. If you want the money tree to root faster, you can appropriately use some rooting powder.
Preventive Measures for Money Tree Root Rot
In fact, when dealing with money tree root rot, learning rescue measures alone is far from enough. Compared with later remedies, preventive measures at the earlier stage are more important.
1. Mix the growing soil: Choosing suitable growing soil can fully improve drainage performance and prevent root rot caused by water accumulation. You can mix garden soil, river sand, and wood chips or perlite in a 5:3:2 ratio, which is very beneficial to the growth of the money tree;
2. Do not water every day: Even though the money tree looks so tall and large, it is not a plant that likes wet conditions. For a money tree, it will not die even if it is not watered for a month. So generally, watering once about every ten days is enough. Be sure there is no standing water in the saucer under the flowerpot, otherwise root rot easily occurs;
3. Keep ventilation in summer:The causes of money tree root rot are not limited to water accumulation. Sometimes the invasion of pests and diseases can also be the trigger for root rot. A well-ventilated environment is very beneficial for preventing pests and diseases and enhancing the plant's immunity.
The above are the tips for preventing and treating money tree root rot that Cherry Girl shared today. I hope this article can be helpful to friends who grow money trees. If you want to learn more agricultural knowledge, welcome to follow Huinong Academy!
Tips for Propagating the Money Tree, Part Two
The hand tree, commonly known as the money tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pachira in the Araliaceae family. Its stem is upright, its leaves are large and alternate, with long petioles and palmately compound leaves, with 9-12 leaflets. The leaflets are 12-15 cm long and about 6 cm wide. Because its tree shape and leaf shape are unusual and its common name is auspicious, it is valued for its auspicious omens, so in recent years more and more people have introduced and cultivated it.
This flower is native to Australia and some islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is suited to a warm, humid, and well-ventilated environment and likes sunlight. Its stem can store water and nutrients, and it has stress resistance and drought tolerance, strong shade tolerance, and is easy to cultivate. It likes fertile, well-drained sandy loam. The suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. It can still grow at temperatures below 10°C, but below 5°C it is easily damaged; in mild cases this causes leaf drop, and in severe cases it can cause death.
The potted care of the money tree is relatively simple. Generally, use loose garden soil or peat soil, leaf mold, and coarse sand, adding a small amount of compound fertilizer or chicken manure as base fertilizer and growing soil. The money tree is highly adaptable, likes light and also tolerates shade, and grows well in full sun, half sun, or shaded places. However, if grown in a dark place for a long time, its vigor will deteriorate. When summer begins, it is best to shade it 50% to avoid the scorching sun causing the leaf tips and leaf edges to scorch. For indoor cultivation and viewing, it is best to place it in a location with some scattered light, and it should not be kept there continuously for more than 30 days. If it shows signs of declining vigor and leggy growth, it should gradually receive sunlight. Never expose it suddenly to strong light, to prevent it from dying due to inability to adapt. Potted money trees should be repotted once every 1-2 years, carried out in spring when they are moved outdoors, and necessary pruning should be done on yellow leaves and thin weak branches to encourage new shoots to sprout. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In spring and autumn, control the frequency of watering according to sunny or rainy weather and dry or wet conditions. Generally, water once a day. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, water at least twice a day. During the growing season, apply fertilizer twice a month. For newly grown leaves, also pay attention to spraying water to maintain relatively high environmental humidity. From June to September, shading is required, maintaining 60%-70% light transmittance or placing it in a location with bright scattered light. After moving indoors in winter, the temperature should not be lower than 5°C. Keeping it around 10°C is better. Water once every 5-7 days, and ensure it receives relatively sufficient light. In addition, during the growing season, if ventilation is poor, red spider mites and scale insects are likely to occur, so observe carefully. If pests are found, remove them promptly or spray pesticide. Focus on grasping the following six points:
First, pay attention to sunlight: the money tree likes high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight, and cannot be shaded for a long time. Therefore, during care and management, it should be placed in a sunny spot indoors. When placing it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. Otherwise, because the leaves grow toward the light, the entire branches and leaves 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 leaves look more attractive.
Second, pay attention to watering: watering is an important part of the care and management process. If the amount of water is too little, branch and leaf development stagnates; if the amount of water is too large, it may cause root rot and death; if the amount of water is moderate, the branches and leaves become plump. The first principle of watering is to keep it wet rather than dry. The second is "two more and two less," that is, water more in the high-temperature summer season and water less in winter; water more for large and medium plants with vigorous growth, and water less for small newly potted plants. When the amount of watering is too large, it easily causes root rot, causing the leaves to droop, lose their luster, or even fall off. At this time, it should immediately be moved to a cool place, watering should be reduced to the minimum, as long as the potting soil is not dry, spray water on the leaf surface multiple times a day with a spray bottle, stop fertilizing with nutrient water, and after about 15 to 20 days it can gradually recover.
Third, pay attention to fertilizing: the money tree is a flowering plant that likes fertilizer, and its fertilizer demand is greater than that of common other flowering plants. When repotting each year, the proportion of fertile soil can account for 1/3 or even more. Fertile soil has a wide range of sources. You can collect humus soil from broadleaf tree fallen leaves, add a little garden soil, mixed with a small amount of crushed bone meal and bean cake residue. This fertile soil is highly effective, convenient, and easy to obtain, but it should be fully decomposed to avoid "burning" the leaves yellow. In addition, during the money tree's growing period (May to September), every 15 days, apply a fully decomposed liquid fertilizer or mixed flower-growing fertilizer once to promote deep roots and luxuriant leaves.
When fertilizing the money tree, just master the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently. For example, if a money tree is planted in a flowerpot with a diameter of 20 cm, if applying biological fertilizer, only 20 grams at a time is enough. If applying chemical fertilizer, mix it at a ratio of 3 parts per thousand and pour it into the pot. You can also use the method of spraying fertilizer on the leaf surface. Fertilize once about every 20 days.
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. In severe cases, the branches become bare, which not only hinders viewing but also very easily causes plant death. Therefore, during cultivation, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C and frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, attention should be paid to overwintering cold protection and freeze protection management.
Fifth, pay attention to the occurrence of pests and diseases: if the stem epidermis is found to be black or black thread-like fibers are exposed, it is stem rot causing the money tree's stem to rot. In the early stage of the disease, spray 50% Fungicide King water-soluble powder 1000 times solution, spraying once every 10 days, for 2-3 consecutive treatments. For anthracnose, spray 50% chlorothalonil wettable powder 800 times or 50% carbendazim 600 times solution for control, once every 7-10 days. For cabbage caterpillars, geometer moths, and red spider mites, regularly spray 40% omethoate 800 times or 50% dichlorvos 1000 times solution, spraying once every 7 days for 2-3 consecutive applications.
Sixth, braided shaping: when the money tree is sown and grows to about 2 m, cut off the upper part at about 1.2-1.5 m to let it become a bare stem, then dig it out of the ground, place it in a semi-cool place to dry naturally for 1-2 days, making the trunk soft and easy to bend. Then use rope to tightly tie together the bases of several plants of the same thickness and height, braid their stems into a braid shape, lay them on the ground, press them down with heavy objects such as stones or iron blocks to fix the shape, and use iron wire to tie and fix them into an upright braided shape. After braiding, continue to plant the plants in the ground and strengthen fertilizer and water management, especially topdressing phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, so that the stems grow thick and strong and the braid shape is full and neat and uniform. They can also be directly potted and planted to let them grow branches and leaves. The "Three Dragons," "Five Dragons," and "Seven Dragons" currently sold on the market are made by braiding 3, 5, and 7 plants respectively and planting them in pots. In summer, water once every 2-3 days; in spring and autumn, water once every 4-6 days; in winter, keeping it moist is suitable, and appropriately reduce the number of waterings.
Money Tree Pachira macrocarpa Money Tree Illustrated Guide: How to Grow a Money Tree / How to Propagate a Money Tree
Money Tree ProfileMoney Tree Pachira macrocarpa
Aliases: Gua Li, Chinese and American kapok, Malama chestnut
Classification: Tree flower
Family and genus: Plantae, Angiosperms, Dicotyledoneae, Malvales, Bombacaceae, Pachira
Full bloom period: Spring
The money tree is an evergreen tree, 8-15 m tall, with palmately compound leaves, 5-7 leaflets, and branches mostly in whorls. The flowers are large, up to 22.5 cm long, with lobed petals, and the flower colors are red, white, or pale yellow, bright and showy. It blooms in April-May, and the fruit ripens in September-October, containing 10-20 seeds, large, irregular in shape, and light brown. It likes high-temperature and high-humidity climates, has poor cold resistance, and seedlings avoid frost. Adult trees can tolerate light frost and long-term low temperatures of 5-6C. In South China it can overwinter outdoors. In areas to the north, it must be moved into a greenhouse in winter for cold protection. It likes fertile, loose, breathable, and water-retentive sandy loam, likes acidic soil, and avoids alkaline soil or heavy clay soil,...
Money Tree Growing Methods and Precautions Introduction to the Money Tree
The money tree is an evergreen tree, 8-15 m tall, with palmately compound leaves, 5-7 leaflets, and branches mostly in whorls. The flowers are large, up to 22.5 cm long, with lobed petals, and the flower colors are red, white, or pale yellow, bright and showy. It blooms in April-May, and the fruit ripens in September-October, containing 10-20 seeds, large, irregular in shape, and light brown. It likes high-temperature and high-humidity climates, has poor cold resistance, and seedlings avoid frost. Adult trees can tolerate light frost and long-term low temperatures of 5-6C. In South China it can overwinter outdoors. In areas to the north, it must be moved into a greenhouse in winter for cold protection. It likes fertile, loose, breathable, and water-retentive sandy loam, likes acidic soil, and avoids alkaline soil or heavy clay soil. It is relatively tolerant of wet conditions and also slightly drought-tolerant.
Morphological Characteristics of the Money Tree
It likes warm, humid, sunny, or slightly shaded environments, and the suitable growth temperature is 20°C to 30°C. The high-temperature and high-humidity season in summer is very favorable for the growth of the money tree and is its fastest growth period, so at this stage fertilizer and water management should be strengthened to make it grow robustly. In winter, the temperature must not be lower than 5°C, and it is best to keep it at 18°C to 20°C. It avoids cold and wet conditions. In a humid environment, the leaves very easily develop ulcer-like cold spots, which hinders viewing.
The money tree is not strict about light requirements and can adapt whether in strong sunlight or in a weak-light indoor environment. However, full sun can make the stem nodes shorter and the plant shape compact and full, especially thickening the main ornamental part, the swollen trunk. With insufficient light, the cultivated tree body grows more slowly. When planting small seedlings, place them in a cool place, but do not let the light be too dark, otherwise the plant will grow thin and tall, causing the plant to reach the height for braiding prematurely and affecting the shape.
No matter what environment it is cultivated in, the place where it is placed should not be suddenly changed. Changing location should involve a gradual adaptation process. If the plant is suddenly moved from shade to strong light, the leaf surface will be scorched and the edges burned, affecting its appearance.
Cultivation Techniques for the Money Tree
Malama chestnut, also called Gua Li, money tree, is an evergreen small tree of the Bombacaceae family. It is native to Mexico and Costa Rica. It has palmate leaves, 7-11 leaflets, oblong to obovate. There is a horticultural variety, the variegated money tree. Because the name money tree is deeply welcomed by merchants and ordinary citizens, and because its plant shape is beautiful, its leaf color bright green, and its trunk hammer-shaped, it is suitable for indoor arrangement and beautification after potting. Therefore, since 2006 it has developed very quickly in China's flower market. During festivals, hotels, restaurants, merchants, and citizens often compete to purchase it for good luck and wishes fulfilled.
Cultivation Points
1. Temperature
The minimum winter temperature is 16-18°C. Below this temperature, the leaves turn yellow and fall off; below 10°C, it easily dies.
2. Light
The money tree is a strongly sun-loving plant and is grown outdoors in places such as Hainan Island. However, this plant has relatively strong shade tolerance and can be enjoyed indoors in a weak-light place for 2-4 consecutive weeks. After that, place it in a place with strong light.
3. Water
During the high-temperature growing period, it needs sufficient water; but it has relatively strong drought tolerance and will not be harmed if not watered for several days. However, avoid standing water in the pot. Reduce watering in winter.
4. Air temperature
During the growing period, it likes relatively high air temperature; you can often spray a small amount of water on the leaf surface.
5. Repotting
As needed, it can be repotted in spring.
The hand tree, commonly known as the money tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pachira in the Araliaceae family. Its stem is upright, its leaves are large and alternate, with long petioles and palmately compound leaves, with 9-12 leaflets. The leaflets are 12-15 cm long and about 6 cm wide. Because its tree shape and leaf shape are unusual and its common name is auspicious, it is valued for its auspicious omens, so in recent years more and more people have introduced and cultivated it.
This flower is native to Australia and some islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is suited to a warm, humid, and well-ventilated environment. It likes sunlight and is also slightly shade-tolerant, and grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil.
Potted money trees should be repotted once every 1-2 years, carried out in spring when they are moved outdoors, and necessary pruning should be done on yellow leaves and thin weak branches to encourage new shoots to sprout. Watering should follow the principle of alternating dry and wet. In spring and autumn, control the frequency of watering according to sunny or rainy weather and dry or wet conditions. Generally, water once a day. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, water at least twice a day. During the growing season, apply fertilizer twice a month. For newly grown leaves, also pay attention to spraying water to maintain relatively high environmental humidity. From June to September, shading is required, maintaining 60%-70% light transmittance or placing it in a location with bright scattered light. After moving indoors in winter, the temperature should not be lower than 5°C. Keeping it around 10°C is better. Water once every 5-7 days, and ensure it receives relatively sufficient light. In addition, during the growing season, if ventilation is poor, red spider mites and scale insects are likely to occur, so observe carefully. If pests are found, remove them promptly or spray pesticide.
Cultivation Tips
1. Newly introduced plants do not need repotting in the same year. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer, control leggy growth of young branches, and prevent an uneven crown shape.
2. The money tree has strong adaptability to water. Whether watered heavily outdoors or not watered indoors for more than ten days, it will not suffer waterlogging or drought symptoms that cause the leaves to turn yellow.
3. In summer, water once every 3-5 days indoors; in spring and autumn, water once every 5-10 days. In winter, it depends on room temperature, and the potting soil should be slightly moist. If the room temperature is around 12°C, watering once a month is enough. It tolerates shade and also likes sunlight, and is highly adaptable. Under long-term weak light, the branches are thin, the petioles droop, and the leaves are pale green. In management, do not change the shady or sunny position of the pot. It likes a warm environment and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable growing temperature is 18-30°C.
4. For newly bought bonsai plants, if growth is vigorous and the pot is indeed too small, you can also repot in July or August, using the plant's semi-dormant state during the high-temperature period. Do it carefully so that the original soil does not fall apart, and after planting water thoroughly, without affecting growth. This tree species has relatively strict requirements for potting soil and likes well-drained acidic sandy loam containing humus.
Money Tree Propagation Methods: Cutting Propagation
Technical points: For seedbed preparation, choose a sandy loam plot with deep, fertile soil, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, with good drainage and irrigation as the nursery site. Make a bed surface 1 m wide and 10 m long, preferably running north-south. Deeply plow the bed surface, remove the topsoil, and tamp it firm. Lay a 3 cm thick layer of gravel on the lower layer, and on top lay 10 to 15 cm thick fresh river sand mixed with furnace slag in a 2:1 ratio as the substrate sandy soil. The humidity should be such that it forms a ball when squeezed in the hand and scatter when the hand is released. Spray the bed surface with 40% formalin 400 times solution, soaking to a depth of 3 to 5 cm, and cover with plastic film for 3 days to disinfect the soil and eliminate pests and diseases in the soil.
For cutting collection, choose healthy, pest-free, and excellent-trait semi-lignified branches of the current year. Cut them on a cloudy day or a windless morning. Leave a length of 6 to 7 cm. The lower cut should be horseshoe-shaped, located below a leaf or axillary bud. The cut should be smooth to help form callus tissue. Generally, each cutting carries 2 palm leaves. Be careful not to damage the leaves, so as to facilitate photosynthesis.
For timely cutting, carry out cuttings from late June to early August, and cut and insert in the morning or evening. Before cutting, soak half of the cutting in 25PPM No. (1) ABT rooting solution for 20 to 24 hours, then take it out and rinse it clean with clean water. Use a small wooden stick to make holes in the bed surface, then insert along the holes, and then seal the holes and press firm. When the cuttings are shorter, they can be inserted straight; when the cuttings are longer, they can be inserted obliquely. The insertion depth should be such that they do not fall over, generally 3 to 5 cm. After insertion, water thoroughly in time, straighten any tilted cuttings, cover well with plastic sheeting, and press the edges firm with soil.
For seedling stage management, after cutting, ensure environmental conditions suitable for rooting. Generally, soil temperature is 3°C to 5°C higher than air temperature, the relative air humidity of the cutting bed is maintained at 80% to 90%, and the light requirement is 30%. Ventilate once or twice a day. From June to August, the temperature is high and water evaporates quickly, so spray water once in the morning and once in the evening with a fine spray bottle, and maintain the temperature between 23°C and 25°C. After the seedlings survive, topdress in time, mainly with quick-acting fertilizers. In the early stage, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers; in the middle stage, appropriately combine nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; in the later stage, to promote lignification of the seedlings, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate before the end of August and stop using nitrogen fertilizer. Generally, callus tissue forms in about 15 days, and rooting begins in about 30 days.
The money tree likes high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight. Every 3 to 5 days, spray water on the leaves with a spray bottle, which not only helps photosynthesis proceed but also makes the branches and leaves more beautiful. Generally, seedlings of the current year are 40 to 50 cm tall.
For seedling transplanting, before potting money tree seedlings, first prepare nutrient soil. Use 3 parts leaf mold, 2 parts sand, 4 parts garden soil, and 1 part fully fermented organic fertilizer, mix evenly, and then plant. When transplanting, be careful not to damage the young roots. The depth should be based on the original base of the roots. After planting, water thoroughly and place in a cool place to recover, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight. Afterward, water daily according to the condition of the potting soil.
Hydroponic Method
Select healthy small soil-cultured plants and use the root-washing method for hydroponic cultivation. It is best to add ceramsite as a substrate, which can both fix the plant and help rooting. At the beginning of hydroponics, change the clean water once every 2-3 days, and new roots can grow after 2 weeks. When the plant has fully adapted to the environment, add foliage plant nutrient solution for care, replacing the nutrient solution once every 2-3 weeks. During the growing period, if you can frequently spray 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution on the leaf surface, it can not only keep it oily, tender, and emerald green, but also promote the enlargement of its roots and stems.
Sand Culture Method
1. Seedbed preparation: choose a nursery site with deep, fertile soil. Adjust it into a bed surface 1 m wide, with length depending on the quantity, preferably running north-south. Deeply plow the bed surface, remove the topsoil, and tamp it firm. Lay a 3 cm thick layer of gravel on the lower layer, and on top lay 10 to 15 cm thick fresh river sand and furnace slag. The humidity should be such that it forms a ball when squeezed in the hand and scatter when the hand is released. Spray the bed surface with 40% formalin 400 times solution, soaking to a depth of 3 to 5 cm, and cover with plastic film for 3 days to disinfect the soil.
2. Cutting collection: choose healthy semi-lignified branches of the current year. Cut them on a cloudy day or a windless morning. Leave a length of 6 to 7 cm. The lower cut should be slanted, located below a leaf or axillary bud. The cut should be smooth to help form callus tissue. Generally, each cutting carries two palm leaves. Be careful not to damage the leaves, so as to facilitate photosynthesis.
3. Fine cutting: carry out money tree cuttings from late June to early August, and choose a cloudy summer day or morning or evening to cut and insert immediately. When cutting, soak half of the cutting in 25PPM No. (I) ABT rooting solution for 20 to 24 hours, then take it out and rinse it clean with clean water. Use a small wooden stick to make holes in the bed surface, then insert the cuttings along the holes, and then seal the holes and press firm. When the cuttings are shorter, they can be inserted straight; when the cuttings are longer, they can be inserted obliquely. The insertion depth should be such that they do not fall over, generally 3 to 5 cm. After insertion, water thoroughly in time, straighten any tilted cuttings, and cover well with plastic sheeting.
4. Seedling stage management: after cutting, ventilate once every 3 days. From June to August, the temperature is high and water evaporates quickly, so spray water once in the morning and once in the evening, maintain the temperature between 23 and 25 degrees, and keep humidity at about 80% of field water capacity. To promote lignification of the seedlings, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate before the end of August. To prevent fungal infection, spray thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim on the bed surface once every 7 days. Generally, callus tissue forms in about 15 days, and rooting begins in about 30 days.
5. Seedling transplanting: before potting the seedlings, first prepare nutrient soil. Use 3 parts leaf mold, 1 part sand, and 2 parts garden soil, mix, and then plant. When transplanting, be careful not to damage the roots. The depth should be based on the original base of the roots. After planting, water thoroughly and place in a shaded place, avoiding exposure to sunlight. Afterward, water daily according to the condition of the potting soil, and follow the principle of watering when dry and not watering when wet.
Sowing Method
Timing: all four seasons are fine, spring is best. 2. Seeds may be covered with soil or not, but when covering with soil, it should not be too deep. 3. Water frequently to keep the medium moist; it is relatively easy to germinate. 4. This method more easily cultivates a beautiful tree shape. 5. This method propagates relatively slowly. 6. For seed collection, it is best to wait until the outer skin of the fruit turns yellow and withered or dries before harvesting, otherwise immature fruit cannot germinate and grow successfully.
Home Care of the Money Tree
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 China. For home cultivation, based on its living habits of liking high temperature and high humidity and not tolerating frost, cold, or dryness, focus on grasping the following four points:
One,Pay attention to sunlight
The money tree likes high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight, and cannot be shaded for a long time. Therefore, during care and management, it should be placed in a sunny spot indoors. When placing it, the leaf surface must face the sunlight. Otherwise, because the leaves grow toward the light, the entire branches and leaves 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 leaves look more attractive.
Two,Pay attention to watering
Watering is an important part of the care and management process. If the amount of water is too little, branch and leaf development stagnates; if the amount of water is too large, it may cause root rot and death; if the amount of water is moderate, the branches and leaves become plump. The first principle of watering is to keep it wet rather than dry. The second is "two more and two less," that is, water more in the high-temperature summer season and water less in winter; water more for large and medium plants with vigorous growth, and water less for small newly potted plants. When the amount of watering is too large, it easily causes root rot, causing the leaves to droop, lose their luster, or even fall off. At this time, it should immediately be moved to a cool place, watering should be reduced to the minimum, as long as the potting soil is not dry, spray water on the leaf surface multiple times a day with a spray bottle, stop fertilizing with nutrient water, and after about 15 to 20 days it can gradually recover.
Three,Pay attention to fertilizing
The money tree is a flowering plant that likes fertilizer, and its fertilizer demand is greater than that of common other flowering plants. When repotting each year, the proportion of fertile soil can account for 1/3 or even more. Fertile soil has a wide range of sources. You can collect humus soil from broadleaf tree fallen leaves, add a little garden soil, mixed with a small amount of crushed bone meal and bean cake residue. This fertile soil is highly effective, convenient, and easy to obtain, but it should be fully decomposed to avoid "burning" the leaves yellow. In addition, during the money tree's growing period (May to September), every 15 days, apply a fully decomposed liquid fertilizer or mixed flower-growing fertilizer once to promote deep roots and luxuriant leaves.
Four,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. In severe cases, the branches become bare, which not only hinders viewing but also very easily causes plant death. Therefore, during cultivation, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C and frequently spray water on the branches and leaves to increase necessary humidity. In late autumn and winter, attention should be paid to overwintering cold protection and freeze protection management.
Money Tree Growing Methods: Indoor Cultivation
For viewing, it is best to place it in a location with some scattered light, and it should not be kept there continuously for more than 30 days. If it shows signs of declining vigor and leggy growth, it should gradually receive sunlight. Never expose it suddenly to strong light, to prevent it from dying due to inability to adapt. During the potted growing period, keep the potting soil moist, and do not water unless it is dry. Its swollen stem can store a certain amount of water and nutrients. Potted plants should have smooth drainage, preferring dry over wet, and must not be wet and waterlogged. If there is too much water and standing water, growth will be poor, or the roots and stems will rot; but the soil should not be too dry either, especially on clear days when the air is dry, appropriate water spraying is also needed to keep the leaves oily green and glossy.
During the growing period, apply diluted decomposed peanut bran fertilizer water or organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer, or compound fertilizer 1-2 times a month. Generally, indoor viewing does not require fertilizing. However, apply compound fertilizer to the pot once every 1-2 months, about 6-8 grams per pot, preferably lightly, and never with concentrated fertilizer. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be increased to make the stem expand.
Or spray fertilizer on the leaf surface 1-2 times, using nutrient solutions such as Lvwang + Zhibaosu + 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, to make the leaves thick and dark green. Spray once every 10-15 days to keep the leaves green and glossy. In winter, overwinter in a warm and shaded place. The temperature should not be lower than 5°C, and the soil should not be too dry. On clear days when the air is dry, spray water appropriately.
In spring, prune the branches and leaves once to encourage renewal of branches and leaves. It likes high temperature and high humidity, and has poor cold resistance. Seedlings avoid frost. Adult trees can tolerate light frost and long-term low temperatures of 5-6C. In South China it can overwinter outdoors. In areas to the north, it must be moved into a greenhouse in winter for cold protection. It likes fertile, loose, breathable, and water-retentive sandy loam, likes acidic soil, and avoids alkaline soil or heavy clay soil. It is relatively tolerant of wet conditions and also slightly drought-tolerant. When mature, it is best to sow as soon as collected. Indoor ornamental potted plant.
Care Precautions
1. Temperature
The minimum winter temperature is 16-18 degrees. Below this temperature, the leaves turn yellow and fall off; below 10 degrees, it easily dies.
2. Light
The money tree is a strongly sun-loving plant and is grown outdoors in places such as Hainan Island, but this plant has relatively strong shade tolerance and can be enjoyed indoors in a weak-light place for 2-4 consecutive weeks. After that, place it in a place with strong light.
3. Water
During the high-temperature growing period, it needs sufficient water, but it has relatively strong drought tolerance and will not be harmed if not watered for several days. However, avoid standing water in the pot. Reduce watering in winter.
4. Air temperature
During growth, it likes relatively high air temperature; you can often spray a small amount of water on the leaf surface.
5. Repotting
As needed, it can be repotted in spring.
6. The money tree is sensitive to cold; it should be brought indoors when temperatures reach 10°C. Below 8°C it will suffer cold damage, with mild cases causing leaf drop and severe cases leading to death.
Pest and disease control for the money tree
Common diseases of the money tree include root (stem) rot and leaf blight.
I.Root rotThis is a common disease that seriously harms the money tree, also known as rot disease.
Control methods
(1) Keep the growing environment dry and pay attention to disinfecting the growing medium and the site;
(2) After semi-finished products are taken out of the cabinet and unloaded to the operation shed, spray the top of the money tree with procymidone to prevent the harm of gray mold fungus;
(3) Before planting, use a sharp knife to cut off the bruised and rotted tissue at the top of the main root, then spray the wound with procymidone, and plant after it dries;
(4) One week after planting, when the medium in the pot gradually dries, the healing tissue has formed, and new roots have begun to grow, spray the bare stem of the money tree with propamocarb, dimethomorph, or zinc manganese metalaxyl (ridomil-manganese zinc), so that the solution flows along the stem into the potting soil. After that, rotate fungicides such as dimethomorph, etridiazole, ridomil, or dimethomorph-mancozeb once a week;
(5) If Pythium is active, spray with propamocarb, etridiazole, ridomil, or dimethomorph-mancozeb; the efficacy generally lasts about two weeks. If the weather is still unfavorable, spray with a different agent to prevent resistance from developing. If any rotting plant is found during this period, discard it immediately.
II.Leaf blight
Control methods
(1) Remove diseased leaves promptly when found and destroy them;
(2) During the cultivation of the money tree, strengthen care and management, water and fertilize in a timely manner, and apply 2-3 foliar fertilizer treatments per growing season, such as 0.5% nitrogen potassium dihydrogen phosphate or a 200-fold dilution of double-effect micro-fertilizer;
(3) Before seedlings are transported from the south to the north, spray protective fungicides on the leaves, such as 70% chlorothalonil 800-fold solution, or 18% copper oxinate wettable powder 200-fold solution, or 50% thiram 600-fold solution. After arriving in the north, plant them promptly, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and prevent dehydration and fertilizer deficiency. When cultivating the money tree in southern regions, starting from the rainy season, spray 50% carbendazim 800-fold solution, or 70% chlorothalonil 800-fold solution, or 75% thiophanate-methyl 1500-fold solution every 10-15 days.
In addition, the main pest is the sugarcane borer, which is a new record in China. It mainly damages the money tree as larvae, and can also damage poinsettia, Polyscias, Schefflera, and Hawaiian palm.
Pruning and shaping of the money tree
If Malabar chestnut is planted outdoors for shade or fruit production, no pruning is needed, and it can grow up to one meter per year; but if it is grown in a pot as a foliage plant, pruning becomes a major skill. Because of its astonishing growth rate, if it is not pruned, it is very easy for the tree shape to become disproportionate and affect the potted display. Timely pruning can not only stimulate new sprouting and growth, but also change its shape, making it a good material for beginners in bonsai. In addition, because growth is rapid in late spring and early summer, recovery is easy at this time. For the shaping design of Malabar chestnut, the author attempts to provide the following methods for reference:
1. Single-stem planting
Suitable for plants with thick stems. The stem can be cut short as the base, allowing many fine branches to sprout again from the top of the base, forming a pot that looks like a miniature of a large tree.
2. Braided type
Use wire to intertwine 2-3 stems during growth so that they grow into a braid-like shape.
3. Clustered type
Plant several Malabar chestnuts with thinner stems together to form a clump, winning by quantity.
4. Unique shape
During growth, use wire continuously to shape it into a form you personally like.
Matching the money tree with home styles
1. Place it in the living room and study to reflect a quiet Chinese style.
Chinese ornamental plants emphasize "observing their leaves and appreciating their shape." It is suitable to place potted plants with soil at home. Placing a pot of an old-rooted Chinese pistache stump at a screen partition, or placing a winter plum at the entrance, can bring the Chinese style to the extreme. Chinese people pursue squareness and stability, and the money tree exactly reflects this spirit.
2. Place it in the bedroom to reflect the owner's dream of striving toward a goal.
3. Place it beside the television to reflect a style of loving environmental protection and health.
The cultural background of the money tree
1. Placing a pot of money tree in the southeast direction helps attract wealth and treasure. Clear away the clutter piled in the southeast area, then move away metal-element items that would disrupt the wood-element energy, and you can begin planning the wealth-attracting feng shui of the southeast direction. Colors that strengthen the energy of the southeast direction include deep blue, which belongs to water, and green, which belongs to wood. The money tree is the best choice.
2. Placing a money tree in the feng shui position will make the whole family more spirited. The feng shui position is very suitable for placing bonsai to enhance wood-element energy. The bonsai should be kept healthy and lush, and dried flowers should be avoided because they accumulate yin energy. The money tree is the most popular choice.
3. The meaning of the name is self-evident: making a fortune. Because the thick leaves of the money tree are rich in water, it needs a lot of sunlight and very little water. In winter, the money tree enters a dormant state and needs even less water. Any fertilizer rich in potassium is suitable for the money tree. If you are lucky, the money tree will bloom in December or July, and at this time unexpected wealth is very likely to arrive.
4. Pressing a large-denomination banknote under the money tree will have the effect of using money to nurture money. The money tree is already a decorative item with great symbolic meaning, and with money placed underneath, it is even more conducive to gathering wealth.
I do not need to say much about the money tree's influence on feng shui. The eyes of the masses are sharp, and you can see it just from how many people choose to place a money tree at home.
The flower language of the money tree
1. Placing a pot of money tree in the southeast direction helps attract wealth and treasure. Clear away the clutter piled in the southeast area, then move away metal-element items that would disrupt the wood-element energy, and you can begin planning the wealth-attracting feng shui of the southeast direction. Colors that strengthen the energy of the southeast direction include deep blue, which belongs to water, and green, which belongs to wood. The money tree is the best choice.
2. Placing a money tree in the feng shui position will make the whole family more spirited. The feng shui position is very suitable for placing bonsai to enhance wood-element energy. The bonsai should be kept healthy and lush, and dried flowers should be avoided because they accumulate yin energy. The money tree is the most popular choice.
3. The meaning of the name is self-evident: making a fortune. Because the thick leaves of the money tree are rich in water, it needs a lot of sunlight and very little water. In winter, the money tree enters a dormant state and needs even less water. Any fertilizer rich in potassium is suitable for the money tree. If you are lucky, the money tree will bloom in December or July, and at this time unexpected wealth is very likely to arrive.
4. Pressing a large-denomination banknote under the money tree will have the effect of using money to nurture money. The money tree is already a decorative item with great symbolic meaning, and with money placed underneath, it is even more conducive to gathering wealth.
Money tree pictures