How to grow a money tree

The morphology and growth habits of the money tree

The shape of the money tree

The length of the pedicel and inflorescence of the money tree is less than 20 cm. It is thin, light green, and very inconspicuous. The flowering period is about 20 days and it has no special ornamental value. But in terms of home feng shui, it is the best choice for many people. In recent years, money trees have been sold at high prices, with each tree costing up to several hundred yuan, and have been selling quite well.

Growth habits of money tree

Money tree likes warm, slightly dry, semi-shady environment with small annual temperature changes. It is relatively drought-resistant, but afraid of cold, strong sunlight, heavy soil and water accumulation in the potting soil. If the potting soil is not permeable, it is easy to cause the tuber to rot. The soil must be loose and fertile, well-drained, rich in organic matter, and acidic to slightly acidic. It has a strong germination ability. After cutting off the thick pinnate leaves, new leaves will quickly grow from the top of the tuber.

Key points for the cultivation and management of money tree

temperature

The suitable temperature for its growth is 20℃ to 32℃. Whether it is potted or planted in the ground, it requires a small annual average temperature change. Productive cultivation is best carried out in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Every summer, when the temperature in the Yangtze River Basin reaches above 35℃, the plants grow poorly, and measures such as covering with black nets to block light and spraying water on the surrounding environment should be taken to cool them down, so as to create a suitable living environment with suitable temperature and relatively dry space. It is best to maintain a greenhouse temperature above 10℃ in winter. If the room temperature is below 5℃, the plants will easily suffer from cold damage and seriously endanger their survival. In the winter of 2002, the outdoor temperature in Hefei suddenly dropped below -7℃ and the indoor temperature was below 3℃. Many money trees planted in homes or offices were frozen to death. In late autumn and early winter, when the temperature drops below 8℃, it should be moved to a well-lit room in time. During the entire wintering period, the temperature should be kept between 8℃ and 10℃, which is safer and more reliable.

illumination

Money tree likes light and is shade-tolerant, so you should create an environment with good sunlight but a certain degree of shade for it. It should avoid direct sunlight, especially the scorching sun after a long period of rain in late spring and early summer, and the 5 to 6 hours of unobstructed strong sunlight around noon in summer. Otherwise, the newly sprouted young leaves will easily be burned. For productive cultivation, it should be placed under a shade shed with 50% to 70% light blocking from late spring to mid-autumn, but it should not be too dark, otherwise the new leaves will be slender and the distance between the leaflets will be sparse, thus affecting the compactness and beauty of the plant. Potted plants moved into the greenhouse in winter should be given additional light. For balcony cultivation, they should be moved indoors a few hours around noon in summer. In winter, potted plants should be placed in front of a well-lit window and not in an overly dark corner, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and lose their vitality. In the southern region, place it in a bright space indoors, away from direct sunlight, keep the soil in the pot dry, and apply a mixture of 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.2% urea once a month. The plant can remain disease-free for many years. The newly pinnate leaves do not show obvious phototropism and still maintain a good plant shape. Therefore, it is suitable for long-term indoor display and viewing.

Moisture

To maintain the potted money tree well, you should try to create an environment that is both moist and dry. For maintenance on the balcony at home, if it is on the 3rd floor or above, the potted plants can be placed on a wet sand tray. Usually, pay attention to spraying some water on the leaves to wash away the dust attached to the leaves. At the same time, pay attention to providing shade. When caring for the plant indoors, when the room temperature reaches above 33°C, the plant should be sprayed with water once a day to keep the soil in the pot slightly moist. For productive cultivation, for plants placed under a shade shed, due to the plant's inherent strong drought resistance, it is better to keep the potting soil slightly moist and dry. However, occasional excessive watering with fertilizer will not cause root rot due to over-watering. In winter, pay attention to spraying water on the leaves and the surrounding environment so that the relative air humidity can reach above 50%. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, you should reduce watering, or use spraying instead of watering, so as to help the new leaves survive the winter safely. In addition, special attention should be paid to the fact that the potting soil should not be too moist in winter. It is better to keep it on the dry side. Otherwise, under low temperature conditions, excessive moisture in the potting soil will more easily lead to root rot of the plant, or even death of the entire plant.

soil

Due to the special climatic conditions in the place of origin of the Money Tree, it has developed a strong resistance to drought, so the basic requirement for the cultivation medium is good permeability. The cultivation medium is mostly made of peat, coarse sand or washed coal slag mixed with a small amount of garden soil, and its pH value is adjusted to between 6 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic. Because of its large tubers, well-developed root system and long pinnate leaves, it is suitable to be planted in a deeper blue and white porcelain pot or purple clay pot, but the bottom should be padded with more stones, bricks or bark blocks, the height of which should be about 1/4 of the depth of the pot, in order to create a root environment with good air permeability and water filtration. Loosen the soil for the plants once a month during the growing season to keep the cultivation medium well permeable. During the rainy season, you should check frequently. If you find water accumulation in the pot, you should repot and change the soil in time.

fertilizer

Money tree likes fertilizer. In addition to adding an appropriate amount of fermented cake fertilizer or multi-component slow-release compound fertilizer to the cultivation medium, it can be watered with dilute cake fertilizer water once a month during the growing season, or a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be used. For potted money trees in areas north of the Huanghuai region, you can also add an appropriate amount of ferrous sulfate to the fertilizer solution to prevent physiological yellowing of the leaves. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, in order to ensure that it can survive the winter safely, the application of nitrogen fertilizer should be stopped. Instead, apply 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 2 to 3 times in a row to promote the hardening and filling of the young leaf axes and newly sprouted leaves. When the temperature drops below 15℃, all forms of topdressing should be stopped to avoid root damage caused by fertilizer under low temperature conditions.