How to grow a money tree? Five steps to get it done easily
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the family Malvaceae, genus Pachira. Its stem is upright, its leaves are large and alternate, with long petioles and palmately compound leaves made up of 9-12 leaflets; each leaflet is 12-15 cm long and about 6 cm wide. So how do you grow a money tree? Let the editors of Yiqizhuangxiu.com give everyone a brief introduction!
Growing a money tree: five steps to get it done easily
1. Choosing the environment
The money tree is highly adaptable, liking light yet tolerating shade, and it grows well in full sun, partial sun or shade. However, if it is grown in a dark place for a long time, its vigor will decline. In early summer it is best to provide 50% shade to prevent the intense sun from scorching the leaf tips and leaf margins. Indoors for ornamental growing, it should be placed where there is some scattered light, and it should not be kept there for more than 30 consecutive days; if leggy growth and declining vigor appear, it should gradually be exposed to sunlight, and never suddenly exposed to strong light, to prevent it from dying of shock.
2. Choosing the potting soil
Most money trees bought nowadays come in soil provided by the seller. Gardeners need not repot and change the soil the moment they get the plant home; just grow it for a while and consider repotting later. If you do change the soil, a potted money tree is generally planted in loose garden soil or peat soil, leaf mold and coarse sand, with a small amount of compound fertilizer or chicken manure added as a base fertilizer and growing medium.
3. Watering the money tree (important)
The money tree has a very poorly developed root system, and many gardeners find their money tree dies mainly from root rot. Some gardeners then ask: how often exactly should a money tree be watered, and how much water at a time? Here it must be stated clearly that conditions differ from place to place, and the pot and soil used also differ, so there is no fixed watering standard. So how should gardeners water? Generally speaking, watering a money tree once a month is not too little. Also, here is a little tip for gardeners: a plant that lacks water will not die quickly and will recover soon after watering, but if it is waterlogged, it is basically beyond saving. With a money tree, you can usually mist it more and water it less.
4. Fertilizing the money tree
Normally, if the soil is fertile enough, no fertilizing is needed. If it has been grown for a long time, you can consider giving it a light fertilizer; never use a strong fertilizer. For fertilizing, you can use some common foliage fertilizers, but remember it must be a light fertilizer.
Note: Generally speaking, money trees have had their tops cut off, so every spring gardeners can also prune them appropriately; this makes them more attractive and also encourages new branch growth.
5. Watch out for pests and diseases
If the bark on the stem turns 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 a 1000-fold solution of 50% Shajunwang water-soluble powder, once every 10 days, for 2-3 consecutive treatments. For anthracnose, spray 50% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 800-fold or 50% carbendazim at 600-fold, once every 7-10 days. For cabbage caterpillars, inchworms and red spider mites, regularly spray 40% omethoate at 800-fold or 50% dichlorvos at 1000-fold, once every 7 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.
How to grow a money tree: key points for growing a money tree
The money tree originated in the tropical regions of the Americas. It likes a hot, humid climate, is an evergreen tree, has poor cold tolerance, prefers fertile, loose, airy, water-retentive sandy loam, and is fairly tolerant of drought and waterlogging. Below is a detailed explanation of how to grow a money tree. >>Recommended reading: What to do when money tree leaves turn yellow
1. How to grow a money tree and key points to note
For growing a money tree, the following five aspects should mainly be noted.
1. Sunlight must be appropriate
When growing a money tree, it should be placed in a bright spot indoors, and when positioning it, make sure the leaf surface faces the sunlight; do not keep it shaded for a long time, otherwise the branches and leaves will twist and deform. It is best to mist the money tree leaves once every 3 to 5 days, which both aids photosynthesis and makes the branches and leaves more attractive.
2. Water moderately
The money tree is fairly adaptable to water; generally, heavy outdoor watering or not watering it indoors for more than ten days will not cause waterlogging or drought. Still, watering is an important part of growing a money tree. Too little water easily stalls branch and leaf development; too much water may cause root rot and death; a moderate amount of water makes the branches and leaves plump.
The first principle of watering a money tree is to prefer moist over dry. Water more in the hot summer season and less in winter; water more during the vigorous growth period and less for small, newly planted specimens. Under normal conditions, watering once every 15 to 20 days is enough.
3. How to fertilize
The money tree needs more fertilizer than other flowering plants. When repotting, the proportion of fertilized soil can be one third. Fertilized soil includes a mix of decayed leaf litter, miscellaneous bone meal and bean cake residue; this kind of fertilized soil is highly effective and easy to obtain. But note that it must be fully decomposed, so as not to "burn" the leaves yellow. It is worth noting that during the money tree's growing period (that is, from May to September), a decomposed liquid fertilizer or flowering fertilizer should be applied once every 15 days, so that it develops deep roots and lush leaves.
4. Temperature and humidity
Growing a money tree has relatively high temperature and humidity requirements. If the temperature is too low or the humidity is insufficient, leaf drop may occur, and in serious cases the branches become bare, which is bad for ornament and may even kill the plant.
When growing a money tree, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C and to mist the branches and leaves often to increase humidity; in late autumn and winter, care should be taken to protect it from cold and freezing. For indoor growing in summer, water once every 3-5 days, and in spring and autumn once every 5-10 days. In winter it depends on the room temperature: if the room temperature is around 12°C, watering once a month is enough. Its most suitable growing temperature is 18-30°C.
5. How to repot
Newly acquired money tree plants do not need repotting that year, to prevent the tree shape from going off form. The suitable season for repotting is spring, or it can be done in July or August, taking advantage of the plant's semi-dormant state during the hot period. The money tree has fairly strict requirements for potting soil; the potting soil should be slightly moist and well drained, and can be an acidic sandy loam containing humus.
2. The benefits of the money tree
The main benefit of the money tree lies in its ornamental value. At the same time, because its name is auspicious and pleasant-sounding, it is favored and loved by many people, and is especially an indispensable plant for offices and storefronts. In addition, the money tree does a good job of purifying indoor air and absorbing harmful gases such as formaldehyde. The money tree's seeds are edible and taste similar to peanuts, though this is clearly not the main benefit of the money tree.
3. Common diseases of money trees and how to solve them
The diseases of the money tree are mainly root rot and leaf blight, which are also the focus of growing a money tree. Here the editors list them separately to explain them for everyone; growers should pay attention to these points during cultivation.
1. Root rot
Root rot is a serious and common disease, also known as rot disease. The prevention and control methods are to keep the growing environment dry and prevent the harm of gray mold fungus; before planting, cut off the rotten tissue at the top of the main root, then let the wound dry before planting; if active rot fungi are found, promptly spray with drugs such as Previcur, Terrazole and Ridomil; if partially rotting plants are found, they should be discarded immediately.
2. Leaf blight
Leaf blight and yellowing are also problems that easily occur while growing a money tree. If blighted and diseased leaves are found, they should be promptly removed and destroyed, and management and care should be strengthened during the money tree's cultivation, with timely watering and fertilizing. For more highlights, click to view the flowers section of Tubatu.com
How to grow a money tree and key points to note
The money tree symbolizes good fortune and is deeply loved by many growers. Yet practical questions such as how to grow a money tree and what care it needs also leave growers puzzled. So how should a money tree be grown? What points should be noted during cultivation? Next, let the editors of Yiqizhuangxiu.com give everyone a brief introduction!
How to grow a money tree and key points to note
1. Sunlight must be appropriate
When growing a money tree, it should be placed in a bright spot indoors, and when positioning it, make sure the leaf surface faces the sunlight; do not keep it shaded for a long time, otherwise the branches and leaves will twist and deform. It is best to mist the money tree leaves once every 3 to 5 days, which both aids photosynthesis and makes the branches and leaves more attractive.
2. Water moderately
The money tree is fairly adaptable to water; generally, heavy outdoor watering or not watering it indoors for more than ten days will not cause waterlogging or drought. Still, watering is an important part of growing a money tree. Too little water easily stalls branch and leaf development; too much water may cause root rot and death; a moderate amount of water makes the branches and leaves plump.
The first principle of watering a money tree is to prefer moist over dry. Water more in the hot summer season and less in winter; water more during the vigorous growth period and less for small, newly planted specimens. Under normal conditions, watering once every 15 to 20 days is enough.
3. How to fertilize
The money tree needs more fertilizer than other flowering plants. When repotting, the proportion of fertilized soil can be one third. Fertilized soil includes a mix of decayed leaf litter, miscellaneous bone meal and bean cake residue; this kind of fertilized soil is highly effective and easy to obtain. But note that it must be fully decomposed, so as not to "burn" the leaves yellow. It is worth noting that during the money tree's growing period (that is, from May to September), a decomposed liquid fertilizer or flowering fertilizer should be applied once every 15 days, so that it develops deep roots and lush leaves.
4. Temperature and humidity
Growing a money tree has relatively high temperature and humidity requirements. If the temperature is too low or the humidity is insufficient, leaf drop may occur, and in serious cases the branches become bare, which is bad for ornament and may even kill the plant.
When growing a money tree, care should be taken to maintain a temperature above 15°C and to mist the branches and leaves often to increase humidity; in late autumn and winter, care should be taken to protect it from cold and freezing. For indoor growing in summer, water once every 3-5 days, and in spring and autumn once every 5-10 days. In winter it depends on the room temperature: if the room temperature is around 12°C, watering once a month is enough. Its most suitable growing temperature is 18-30°C.
5. How to repot
Newly acquired money tree plants do not need repotting that year, to prevent the tree shape from going off form. The suitable season for repotting is spring, or it can be done in July or August, taking advantage of the plant's semi-dormant state during the hot period. The money tree has fairly strict requirements for potting soil; the potting soil should be slightly moist and well drained, and can be an acidic sandy loam containing humus.