How to Grow a Money Tree? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions
The scientific name of the money tree is Pachira aquatica (Malabar chestnut), a small tree belonging to the Malvaceae family. The money tree has very high ornamental value and also carries meanings such as wishing good luck and prosperity, so it is widely popular. The fruit rind of the money tree can be eaten when unripe, and its economic value is relatively high. So how should the money tree be cultivated? Are there any precautions? Let's take a look together below!
1. Site selection and land preparation
The money tree is suitable for planting in soil that is rich in fertilizer, thick and soft, with sufficient sunlight and normal drainage and irrigation. Then make beds ready for planting, with the width controlled at about 1 m and the length determined according to the planting area. After making the beds, carry out deep plowing, remove the surface soil, and press the lower soil firmly. Then water appropriately, keeping the moisture at a level where it can be squeezed into a ball by hand. Then the soil must be disinfected, mainly with formalin as the disinfectant, wetting about 4 cm of soil, then covering with plastic film to eliminate germs and insect eggs.
2. Temperature regulation
The money tree likes to grow in a relatively tall environment, after the first watering at planting. The greenhouse should be closed to increase humidity and temperature. Before new buds have grown, the temperature inside the greenhouse should be controlled at 28-35 degrees. However, ventilation work also needs to be done every day. When the temperature is relatively high in summer, water should be sprayed appropriately to lower the temperature. When the buds grow to about 6 cm, ventilation should be increased, and the temperature should gradually be brought to about 25 degrees. The temperature should not be too extreme either; if it exceeds 35 degrees or falls below 5 degrees, it will seriously affect the growth of the money tree.
3. Water and fertilizer management
The money tree should not be watered too much, as this easily breeds bacteria; keeping the soil moist is sufficient. But in summer when temperatures are high, the demand for water gradually rises, so it should be watered at least once a day. After entering winter, the soil should be kept appropriately dry; too much water easily causes root rot and leads to cold damage to the money tree. Then attention should be paid to fertilizing well, because the money tree has relatively strong growth ability and therefore has a relatively large demand for nutrients. After new buds grow, a compound fertilizer should be applied once a week, but the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled well to avoid excessive nitrogen application, which causes leggy growth and reduces ornamental value.
4. Precautions
The money tree has a relatively large demand for light. So in winter and spring, attention should be paid to meeting the light needed by the money tree, but in seasons with sufficient light such as summer and autumn, when light intensity is too great, shading work should be done well. Otherwise, it easily causes water loss in the weak-light parts of the money tree and gradual death. Then when the money tree grows to about 2 m, cut off the upper part at a position of 150 cm, braid the trunk into a braid shape, fix the shape, promote upright growth, and cultivate a potted variety.
The above is a brief introduction to the cultivation methods and precautions for the money tree. Growing the money tree is relatively simple; the main troublesome point is the final pruning, so if everyone wants to improve ornamental value, then reasonable pruning must be done to cultivate a good plant shape. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for your reading and support.