How to care for a potted money tree in autumn? Detailed care methods
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) likes a warm, sunny and humid growing environment, and also has a certain tolerance for shade. The most suitable temperature for its growth is 20°C-30°C. As long as we can create a comfortable growing environment for it, the money tree can maintain good growth and also present itself in good form. But the four seasons usually have different climates, so the care and management of a potted money tree generally needs to vary by season. Autumn has arrived again, so how should a potted money tree be cared for in autumn?
Compared with summer, the temperature environment in autumn is relatively suitable, and the light intensity is also relatively moderate; compared with winter, the temperature is often too low, and the suitable growing temperature for the money tree is maintained between 20°C-30°C. To ensure its normal growth, the temperature generally cannot be lower than 18°C. When the temperature drops to 5°C, the money tree often shows poor growth such as leaf drop and drying of tender branches. But the autumn temperature generally will not drop to 5°C. As long as it can be kept at a suitable growing temperature, it usually will not be affected by the temperature.
Therefore, after entering autumn, we can place the money tree on a balcony or other bright place for care. If the temperature is lower than 18°C, it should be moved indoors to a sunny place in time so it can receive light. After all, the money tree has relatively poor cold tolerance, and after the beginning of autumn we need to consider the impact of cooling on it. In the southern regions of our country, spring and autumn have relatively similar climate environments, so the care and management of a potted money tree in autumn can often refer to spring.
For a potted money tree in autumn, in addition to controlling light and temperature well, water and fertilizer should also be managed scientifically. Since the temperature begins to turn cooler in autumn, water evaporation decreases noticeably, so watering should also be appropriately controlled. Generally, it should not be watered every day, and there is no need to water every day. After all, the money tree is a tree species that is relatively drought-tolerant and not tolerant of excess water. If watered too much or too frequently, it is easy to cause the potting soil to become too wet, which instead easily causes root rot. Usually, you need to wait until the potting soil becomes dry before watering.
As for fertilizer management, the money tree generally has two fertilization periods, namely the repotting period and the growth period. Especially in the growing season, it often needs to consume relatively more nutrients, so appropriate topdressing can be done. The fertilization during the money tree's growing season is mostly concentrated from May to September, so autumn fertilization is generally done in early autumn. Fertilization is generally mainly based on decomposed organic liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer. A thin liquid fertilizer can be applied once every 2 weeks, which can ensure the plant has enough nutrients to maintain lush branches and leaves.
However, for autumn fertilization, it can also be done after entering October, and can continue into winter. But the fertilizer should mainly be phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, with little or no nitrogen fertilizer, usually once every 1-2 months. But no matter under what circumstances fertilizer is applied, whether it is organic liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer, the concentration must be controlled well, and it is best to keep it thin. And raw fertilizer must not be applied as topdressing, otherwise it is easy to cause varying degrees of damage to the money tree's root system, thereby affecting the tree's vigor.
It can be seen that for the care and management of a potted money tree in autumn, the main tasks are light, temperature, water and fertilizer management, but the key is to do well in the management of temperature, watering and fertilization. I hope everyone can manage according to the care measures in the above aspects, and raise their own potted money tree to stay evergreen through the four seasons with lush branches and leaves.