Money Tree Lost All Its Leaves and Only the Trunk Is Left? Don't Throw It Away - Do This and It Will Most Likely Survive

Many friends who grow money trees (Pachira aquatica) have run intothe situation where "all the leaves drop off and only a bare trunk is left." At the sight of this, they panic: "Is it beyond saving? Just throw it out!" Actually, don't rush to throw it away. As long as the trunk hasn't completely rotted through, following these steps will most likely get it to sprout new buds and grow leaves again - tried and tested!

First step: determine whether the trunk is"dead or alive" - this is the key to saving it. Feel the trunk with your hand. If it feels hard and firm, not soft and mushy when you squeeze it, then gently scrape the surface of the trunk with your fingernail. If what's revealed underneath is light green or white and still slightly damp, that means the trunk is still alive and can be saved! But if the trunk goes soft the moment you squeeze it, and what's revealed underneath is brown or black with a musty smell, then it has basically rotted through - only in that case is it truly beyond saving.

Once you've confirmed the trunk is still alive, the next step is to deal with the rotten roots - losing all the leaves is mostly caused by root rot. When the roots rot, they can't absorb water or nutrients, so the leaves naturally fall off. First pull the whole money tree out of the pot, gently shake off the soil around the roots, then examine the root system carefully: white or light yellow roots are healthy, while brown or black roots that crumble at a squeeze are rotten. Find a sterilized pair of scissors (just wipe them with alcohol), cut away all the rotten roots cleanly, not leaving a single bit. After cutting, soak the roots in a carbendazim solution (diluted according to the instructions) for 15-20minutes to kill the bacteria on the roots and prevent them from rotting again later.

After dealing with the roots, next you need to"deal with the trunk." If the top of the trunk has withered or wrinkled parts, cut those back to healthy tissue with the scissors too, keeping the cut surface smooth. Then find a well-ventilated, shady spot and leave the treated money tree (roots and trunk together) to dry - don't put it in the sun, just let it air-dry naturally for about 3-5days, until the wounds on the roots and the cut on the trunk have dried and scabbed over and no longer feel sticky to the touch before moving on - this step is very important. If you pot it up before it's dry, the wounds get infected easily and the roots will rot again.

Once dry, you can"repot it." The potting soil must be the right kind - don't use ordinary garden soil again, or it will easily waterlog and rot the roots. It's best to use "leaf mold +perlite +coarse sand" mixed in a 2:1:1 ratio, or just buy ready-made succulent potting mix - both have good air permeability and drainage and can reduce the risk of root rot. When repotting, don't choose too big a pot; one just a size larger than the root ball is enough. Stand the trunk in the middle of the pot, and when filling in soil, press it down gently - don't bury it too deep, just enough to cover the roots. Don't bury the base of the trunk in soil, to prevent mold.

Care after repotting is"the key to revival" - at this point, absolutely don't water blindly or expose it to sun blindly. For the first half month after repotting, don't water at all; let the roots adapt to the new soil. Once the potting soil is completely dry, water just a little along the edge of the pot - don't soak it through; just keep the soil slightly moist. If you water too much, the newly grown roots will rot again. As for light, absolutely do not put it in direct sun; just place it in bright, indirect light, such as a corner of the living room or behind a sheer curtain on the balcony, and gradually increase the light once it starts sprouting. Also, don't fertilize during this period - the trunk can't absorb it right now, and fertilizing will instead burn the roots.

So if your money tree is also down to just a trunk, try the method above first - don't give up on it easily. It might just"come back from the dead" and once again become the "fortune-bringing tree" in your home!