Why Are the Leaves of the Money Tree Curling?
The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is surely quite familiar to everyone; in our daily lives, it is probably the most common ornamental flowering plant. It can be seen growing in all kinds of offices and lobbies. That is why more and more flower growers are now cultivating money trees, but when growing a money tree, the phenomenon of leaf curling can appear. So what causes money tree leaves to curl? Let's take a look below!
1. Lighting
When caring for a money tree, light is extremely important for its growth. A money tree cannot stay in a dark environment for long periods; it should be given an appropriate amount of light, and the leaf surface should receive as much light as possible. This is because money tree leaves are phototropic, so if the leaves do not receive enough light, leaf curling will occur due to this phototropism. However, the light should not be too strong either; if the light is too intense or the exposure time is too long, the leaves lose more water through evaporation and become sunburned. To protect themselves, the leaves then curl.
2. Overwatering
The growth of a money tree naturally cannot be separated from water. Sufficient water is very beneficial to its growth and can make the leaves crisper and more tender. However, when watering, you must be sure to control the amount; if you water too much and cause water to accumulate in the soil, the respiration of the money tree's roots will be inhibited, affecting root absorption. The leaves will then curl and turn yellow due to a lack of water, nutrients and so on. But the water level should not be too low either; if water is insufficient, the growth of the money tree cannot be guaranteed, and the older leaves at the lower part of the plant will also curl and scorch due to lack of water.
3. Overfertilizing
Fertilizer is the main substance that provides nutrients to a money tree and the main route for its nutrient supply. But when fertilizing, we must be sure to control the amount, especially during the peak of the money tree's growing season, because a money tree can only absorb a limited amount of fertilizer. If there is too much fertilizer, the money tree cannot absorb it all. The roots are easily burned by the fertilizer, which instead affects the money tree's nutrient absorption, causing the leaves to lack nutrients and thus curl and wilt.
4. Dry Air
During growth, the money tree absorbs water not only through its roots but also through its leaves from the air. However, if the air humidity is too low and the air is not circulating well, the air will become dry. This affects the money tree's water absorption, causing it to lack water and thus leading to leaf curling. So when watering a money tree, we should also pay attention to misting the air appropriately to maintain air humidity; only then can the money tree grow better.
The above is a brief introduction to what causes money tree leaves to curl. That is all for today's introduction; this article is for reference only, and we hope it can help you!