What are the planting methods for lucky tree seeds?
The lucky tree (Pachira aquatica) is a very common indoor potted plant, but because potted lucky trees have a very small chance of flowering and bearing fruit, many people have never seen lucky tree seeds. In fact, the lucky tree does have seeds, and it can also be propagated from seeds with a fairly high germination rate. Below, let us take a look at how to plant lucky tree seeds!
The growth habits of the lucky tree
The lucky tree originates from Mexico in Central America to Costa Rica, and is cultivated in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan in China. It likes high-temperature and high-humidity climates and has poor cold resistance. Seedlings are averse to frost, while adult trees can tolerate light frost and long-term low temperatures of 5-6°C. In South China it can overwinter outdoors, while in areas to the north it must be moved into a greenhouse in winter to protect it from the cold. It likes fertile, loose, breathable, water-retentive sandy loam, likes acidic soil, and avoids alkaline or heavy clay soil. It is relatively tolerant of waterlogging and also slightly tolerant of drought.
How do you plant lucky tree seeds?
1. Sowing time: The sowing time for lucky tree seeds is relatively flexible. There are now many temperature-control devices available, so as long as the temperature is above 20°C, they can be sown at any time.
2. Sowing medium: The sowing medium for lucky tree seeds can be prepared according to actual conditions. Peat, nutrient soil, peat + vermiculite, and so on can all be used.
3. Germination time: Lucky tree seeds generally take about 10 days from sowing to germination. Usually, seedlings can be seen 2 weeks after sowing.
4. Sowing and covering with soil: It is recommended to cover lucky tree seeds with about 1-2 cm of soil after sowing. After sowing, water thoroughly and place them in a semi-shaded environment.
5. Whether to cover with film: After sowing lucky tree seeds, choose whether to cover with film according to the temperature. Under conditions of high temperature and high humidity, the seed germination rate will be higher.
How to grow the lucky tree
1. Light: The lucky tree should be placed in a spot indoors with ample sunlight. When placing it, make sure the leaf surface faces the sunlight. It should not be left in shade for a long time, otherwise the branches and leaves will become distorted and deformed. It is best to spray water on the lucky tree leaves once every 3 to 5 days, which both helps photosynthesis and makes the branches and leaves more attractive.
2. Watering: The lucky tree has strong adaptability to moisture. The first principle of watering the lucky tree is to prefer moist over dry. In the high-temperature summer season, water more; in winter, water less; during the vigorous growth period, water more; for small or newly planted plants, water less. Under normal conditions, watering once every 15 to 20 days is enough.
3. Fertilizing: The lucky tree has a high demand for fertilizer. When repotting, the proportion of fertilized soil can be one third. Fertilized soil includes mixed humus leaf litter, miscellaneous bone meal, soybean cake residue, and so on. During the growing period of the lucky tree (that is, from May to September), a fully decomposed liquid fertilizer or flower-growing fertilizer should be applied once every 15 days so that its roots grow deep and its leaves flourish.
4. Temperature: If the temperature is too low or the humidity is insufficient, the lucky tree may drop leaves. In severe cases, the branches may become bare, and it may even cause the plant to die. The temperature should be kept above 15°C, and water should often be sprayed on the branches and leaves to increase humidity. In late autumn and winter, attention should be paid to cold-proofing and freeze-proofing work.
5. Repotting: Newly introduced lucky tree plants do not need repotting in the same year, to prevent the tree shape from becoming distorted. The suitable season for repotting is spring, and repotting can also be done in July or August by making use of the plant's semi-dormant state during the high-temperature period. The requirements for potting soil are relatively strict. It should be slightly moist and well-drained, and acidic sandy loam containing humus can be used.