How to Cultivate Money Tree
Let's talk about how to cultivate the Money Tree and understand the implications and symbolism of this green plant. The specific details are as follows:
The Money Tree prefers loose, fertile, well-draining acidic soil and enjoys a climate that is sunny, warm, humid, and well-ventilated. The tree itself is not cold-tolerant, so it needs to be kept indoors during the winter. Water the soil when it is completely dry, pouring until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. After watering once, wait for the surface soil to dry before watering again. During the growing season, apply 10-15 compound fertilizers every 30 days. To highlight the delicate, bright, and shiny leaves of the Money Tree, pruning and topping of the potted plant is necessary.
Let's now explore the cultivation methods of the Money Tree together.
Soil Preparation
The Money Tree is an acid-loving plant, and not all types of soil are suitable for it. The potting mix should be rich in organic matter and have good drainage and aeration. The soil should be slightly acidic to ensure the tree grows well. A mixture of leaf mold, peat soil, coal slag, and coarse sand in a ratio of 5:3:1:1 can be used as the potting mix.
Sunlight Requirements
The Money Tree enjoys plenty of sunlight and a well-ventilated environment. It's best to keep it outdoors during spring, summer, and autumn without any shading. During winter, it should be moved indoors and placed near a window to receive some sunlight. Even if kept indoors for an extended period, the leaves remain green and do not turn yellow.
Environmental Temperature
The temperature for cultivating the Money Tree needs to be controlled. Since the tree is not cold-tolerant, it cannot be kept outdoors during winter. The optimal growing temperature is between 20°C and 30°C. During winter, when temperatures are low, it's best to move the plant indoors but keep it away from heat sources. The minimum temperature for overwintering should be above 5°C.
How to Cultivate Money Tree
Watering Method
Water the Money Tree based on the moisture level of the soil. When the soil is completely dry, water thoroughly until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. Do not water halfway.
During the day, when it's warm, use a spray bottle to mist the branches to increase humidity, which helps keep the leaves moist and shiny. In winter, when the temperature is low and the evaporation of the potted plant indoors is limited, water only when the surface soil is dry.
Proper Fertilization
The Money Tree does not require much fertilizer and prefers "frequent application of light fertilizers." The simplest method is to bury 9 to 11 long-acting compound fertilizers away from the roots every month. Note that when the temperature exceeds 35°C in summer or drops below 10°C in winter, fertilization should be stopped to avoid fertilizer damage.
Daily Pruning
To highlight the delicate, bright, and shiny leaves of the Money Tree, and to make the leaves even smaller and greener, pinching can be done in spring and autumn to promote the growth of axillary buds and more branches, making the potted plant's leaves much smaller and shaping a beautiful tree form.
Precautions
The Money Tree is prone to scale insects, especially during the rainy season when conditions are shady and poorly ventilated. If scale insects are found, they can be picked off one by one with a bamboo stick. Then, burry furadan granules in the potting soil and water thoroughly to soak the roots and kill the pests. It is important to ensure good ventilation.
The above information provides a comprehensive understanding of how to cultivate the Money Tree and the implications and symbolism associated with it, for your reference and study!