What to Do When the Money Tree's Leaves Turn Yellow and Drop? Proper Watering, Fertilizing, and Pest and Disease Control

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a common indoor potted plant with a graceful shape, emerald-green leaves, and an auspicious meaning, making it deeply loved by plant enthusiasts. However, indoor cultivation cannot compare with growing in the wild, and because of issues with care and other factors, the money tree often develops various problems, such as yellowing and dropping leaves. So

I. When the Money Tree's Leaves Turn Yellow, Find the Cause

As a common potted plant, the money tree is not difficult to grow, but because there are many beginners who simply do not know the money tree's growth habits, improper care often occurs, resulting in yellow leaves. As for what to do when the money tree's leaves turn yellow and drop, we have summarized 6 causes and attached solutions. Let's continue reading.

II. Causes of Yellowing Leaves on the Money Tree and Solutions

1. Improper Lighting

① Too much light: The money tree likes light but fears strong light. While giving it sufficient light, you should provide shade during strong light. If in summer plant enthusiasts expose the money tree directly to sunlight, it is prone to scorching, which then causes the symptoms of yellowing and dropping leaves.

Solution: Move the money tree to a ventilated, semi-shaded spot and water it appropriately. Wait for the yellowed leaves to gradually fall off and new buds to grow, and it will be fine.

② Insufficient light: During the money tree's cultivation, if it is not pruned in time, its branches and leaves will grow very densely, and the leaves hidden at the bottom will turn yellow due to insufficient light and lack of ventilation.

Solution: The money tree grows quickly, so we should prune it once a year. Do not be reluctant to do so; only by being willing to cut will it grow more beautifully.

2. Too Much Watering

The money tree is highly drought-tolerant, and its root system is not well developed, with poor water absorption, so it should not be watered too much. Once too much water is given, water accumulates in the pot, which easily causes the plant's roots and stems to rot, resulting in yellowing and dropping leaves.

Solution: Stop watering, then move the money tree to a ventilated place so the water in the pot evaporates quickly. To speed up this process, you can also place a layer of absorbent cotton cloth at the bottom of the pot. If root rot has occurred, you should also remove it from the pot, cut off the rotten roots, and then change the soil and replant it.

3. Too Much Fertilizer

After watering, let's talk about fertilizing, which is also one of the causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree. The money tree likes fertilizer, but if too much or too strong fertilizer is applied, it will scorch the roots and stems, causing the plant's leaves to turn yellow and, in severe cases, even die.

Solution: You can dilute it by watering; however, if it is discovered too late and the roots and stems are severely burned, we need to change the potting soil, then clean up the rotten root system, and after a period of care, the plant will recover.

4. Unsuitable Temperature

The money tree likes a warm environment. It is neither tolerant of high temperatures nor cold, and its most suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. Once the temperature is too high or too low, the money tree's growth will be affected, and symptoms of yellowing leaves may appear.

Solution: Just adjust the temperature. In summer, move the plant to a shady place and sprinkle water to cool it down; in winter, move it indoors and raise the temperature. After caring for it this way for a period of time, the money tree's leaves will regain their luster.

5. Pest and Disease Infestation

During the cultivation of the money tree, pests and diseases often appear because of improper care or a poor environment, and this is also one of the causes of yellowing and dropping leaves.

Solution: Remove the diseased leaves and spray the relevant pesticide. As for exactly what to spray, there is a detailed introduction in the pest and disease control section for the money tree, so we will not say more here.

6. Alkaline Soil

If the above points can be ruled out, then the yellowing and dropping of the money tree's leaves may be caused by alkaline soil. It is understood that the money tree likes acidic soil. If the pot is never changed, the soil will gradually become alkaline over time, and the plant's roots will be affected in absorbing nutrients, resulting in the leaves slowly turning yellow.

Solution: It is very simple. Change the potting soil for the money tree and let it feel fresh again. Or apply a certain amount of ferrous sulfate to the soil to change the soil's acidity and alkalinity, and after a period of time, the plant can recover.

What to Do When the Money Tree's Leaves Turn Yellow

The money tree can appear as a large bonsai in offices and outdoors. The money tree gets its name mainly from its hanging leaves. The leaf shape is unique and is regarded as a symbol of good fortune, and it also carries the meaning of hanging copper coins on the tree. But many people find when planting it that the money tree's leaves slowly turn yellow, and they do not know why. What should be done when the money tree's leaves turn yellow?

First, the main causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree include improper watering, insufficient light, pests and diseases, thick dust on the leaf surface, too much fertilizer, overly wet moisture, hot high temperatures, poor ventilation, low environmental temperature, and alkaline soil and water. Below, we will specifically analyze the causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree and the solutions.

1. Improper watering: The money tree likes a warm and humid climate environment, and the potting soil should preferably be moist, but indoor cultivation generally follows the rule of not watering until the potting soil is dry, and watering thoroughly when watering. This is because if you do not water thoroughly and only wet the top while the bottom stays dry, it will affect nutrient absorption, causing the leaf color to become dull and lusterless and gradually wither and yellow from bottom to top and drop. In this situation, you need to water lightly and spray water frequently so that it gradually recovers before returning to normal watering.

2. Unsuitable light: The money tree likes light but is not tolerant of strong direct light, and semi-shade or scattered light is preferable. Only in winter does it need better light conditions to grow well. From late April, you can choose a clear, warm noon, move the pot outdoors or onto a balcony, expose it directly to sunlight for 1-2 hours, and gradually extend the time, which will produce very good cultivation results. Being in shade or a dim place for a long time will cause yellowing leaves and leaf drop, and in severe cases even withering and death.

3. Pest and disease control: Leaf spot disease is a common ailment of the money tree. The symptoms are that a few spots appear first, then the spots gradually expand and extend to the entire leaf, and the leaf drops. Garlic juice can be sprayed to sterilize. As for pests, the main ones are red spider mites and scale insects. Red spider mites are small, with a body length of less than 1 mm, and can be effectively controlled with acaricides such as mancozeb, dicofol, and trichlorfon. Scale insects vary in size depending on the species, and their colors also differ greatly, but they share one common feature: they are round or oval, generally do not move, and cling closely to the plant's stems or leaf stalks to suck sap. When there are few, they can be wiped clean with a cloth strip, because scale insects die as soon as they leave the plant. When there are many, you can spray a 0.2% solution of essential balm or laundry detergent for control.

4. Too much fertilizer: Generally, during the money tree's suitable growth temperature period, fertilizer should be applied regularly to ensure vigorous growth of the plant. Usually, a light fertilizer is applied once about every 20 days, and when repotting, decomposed base fertilizer should be added. However, applying too much fertilizer, or applying fertilizer that has not been decomposed, will cause root burn in the money tree, resulting in yellowing and dropping leaves.

5. Dust on the leaf surface: If dust on the leaf surface is too thick, it not only affects appearance but also affects the plant's respiration and photosynthesis, thereby causing the leaves to turn yellow. The dust should be wiped clean in time.

6. Incorrect soil-changing operation: When changing the soil, incorrect operation can also cause the money tree's leaves to turn yellow. When changing the soil for the money tree, try to damage the roots as little as possible. The added substrate should be sterile, breathable, fertile, and slightly acidic, and the potting soil should also be filled firmly without leaving gaps. If there are gaps, no matter how much water is poured, the plant will still experience water shortage, causing the leaves to turn yellow.

7. Low environmental temperature: The money tree likes a warm and humid environment. Its suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. When the temperature is below 18°C, the money tree stops growing. It can still adapt to temperatures as low as 10°C, but the temperature must not be lower than 5°C, otherwise frost damage will occur, with mild cases showing yellowing and scattered leaves and severe cases resulting in death.

8. Hot high temperatures: For the money tree, which likes a warm and humid environment, if it is placed under high temperatures and exposed to the sun, the plant's transpiration will be excessive, and the roots will not be able to supply enough water and nutrients, very easily causing scorched leaf tips or yellowing and dropping leaves. It needs to be moved promptly to a well-ventilated, shady place.

9. Poor ventilation: If the money tree's branches and leaves grow too luxuriantly and have not been pruned for a long time, the inner branches and leaves will receive insufficient light, very easily causing yellowing and dropping leaves. Pruning should be strengthened in time to allow ventilation and light penetration.

10. Alkaline soil and water: In most areas of the north, the soil and water contain relatively high salinity and alkalinity, and are not very suitable for planting the acid-loving money tree, because the soil lacks absorbable iron elements, and the money tree's leaves will gradually turn yellow. Therefore, when planting, pay attention to choosing acidic soil, and frequently water with alum fertilizer water during the growth period.

The above are the main causes of yellowing leaves on the money tree, and they also answer the solutions for what to do when the money tree's leaves turn yellow.

How to Remedy Leaf Drop in the Money Tree: Learn 7 Tips to Solve It Easily / Improper Water and Fertilizer Is Key

The money tree is a beautiful foliage plant that everyone must be familiar with, after all, its other name, the fortune tree, is world-famous. In daily life, many people grow money trees, but many also encounter problems, such as leaf drop, which is very headache-inducing. So, how do you remedy leaf drop in the money tree? For this, we have summarized 7 tips. Let's take a look together.

I. When the Money Tree Drops Leaves, Find the Cause

As a common indoor potted plant, the money tree's cultivation method can be said to be very simple, but during cultivation, many plant enthusiasts still encounter some headache-inducing problems, such as the money tree's leaves turning yellow and falling off at a touch. What exactly is going on? For this, we will analyze it one by one for you from seven aspects including watering, fertilizing, light, and temperature, and give remedial plans. Let's continue reading for the specifics.

II. Causes of Leaf Drop in the Money Tree and Remedies

1. Environmental Shock

When the money tree drops leaves, everyone should first consider whether the environment has changed too much recently and caused shock, such as temperatures suddenly rising and falling, using cold water when watering, or using too high a concentration when spraying insecticide. These are all culprits that cause leaf drop!

Remedy: In this kind of situation, generally no extra work is needed. Just place it in a place with suitable ventilation and light and care for it for a period of time, and it will recover.

2. Improper Lighting

① Too much light: The money tree likes light but fears direct strong light. In summer, if it receives direct strong light, it is very easy for the tips and edges of young leaves to scorch, or for leaves to yellow and drop. Remedy: Move it promptly to a well-ventilated, shady place and water it lightly.

② Insufficient light: If the money tree cannot get light, the chlorophyll in the leaves will decrease, and over time the leaves will also turn yellow and fall off. Remedy: It is very simple. Just supplement light.

3. Improper Watering

① Too much watering: Water is key to the money tree's growth, but once too much water is given, it will cause water accumulation in the potting soil, ultimately causing root rot, which then affects the plant's water absorption and nutrient absorption, and the leaves easily drop. Remedy: Immediately reduce watering and loosen the soil frequently so the soil is well aerated.

② Too little watering: The money tree cannot lack water either, because if the leaves cannot absorb water, they will become dull and lusterless and fall off at a touch. Remedy: Water lightly and spray water (do not add too much at once), so that it gradually recovers before returning to normal watering.

4. Improper Fertilizing

① Too much fertilizer: Sufficient nutrients can make the money tree stronger and the leaves greener, but once too much fertilizer is applied, it will cause the tips of old leaves to dry and scorch yellow and drop. Remedy: Immediately stop fertilizing and increase the amount of watering to dilute the fertilizer in the pot; in severe cases, directly change the potting soil so the money tree becomes fresh again.

② Too little fertilizer: If the potting soil has not been changed for a long time, or no nitrogen fertilizer has been applied, the soil will lack nutrient elements, and the money tree's branches and leaves will become thin and weak, with yellow leaves that fall off at a touch. Remedy: Apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer to supplement nutrients.

5. Unsuitable Temperature

The money tree likes a warm environment, and its most suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. Once the temperature is too high or too low, the money tree's growth will be affected, and symptoms of yellowing leaves and even leaf drop may appear.

Remedy: How do you remedy leaf drop in the money tree? If the temperature is too high, you should promptly move the plant to a shady place and sprinkle water to cool it down; if the temperature is too low, move the plant indoors and raise the temperature.

6. Alkaline Soil

The money tree likes acidic soil. If the pot is never changed, or mineral water is used for watering for a long time, over time the soil will become alkaline, thereby affecting the plant's growth. After a while, the phenomenon of leaf drop in the money tree will appear.

Remedy: It is very simple. Change the potting soil for the money tree and let it feel fresh again. Or apply a certain amount of ferrous sulfate to the soil to change the soil's acidity and alkalinity, and after a period of time, the plant can recover.

7. Pests and Diseases

In addition to the above points, leaf drop in the money tree may also be due to infestation by pests and diseases. When the money tree suffers from leaf spot disease, or is harmed by scale insects or red spider mites, its leaves are also at risk of dropping.

Remedy: Find out which pest or disease it is, then spray the corresponding pesticide. As for what to spray, there is a detailed introduction in the pest and disease control section for the money tree, so we will not say more here.

Regarding how to remedy leaf drop in the money tree, after reading the comprehensive analysis of the 7 aspects above, everyone should know what to do! In fact, leaf drop in the money tree is caused by one reason, but it is often the result of multiple factors, so when encountering this situation, you must make a correct diagnosis, because only then can you prescribe the right medicine.