What to Do When the Money Tree's Leaves Freeze to Death
When cold currents侵袭 lead to the browning and curling of the money tree's leaves, causing the once glossy leaves to lose their vitality, this often indicates that the plant has suffered from low-temperature frost damage. As a typical tropical ornamental plant, the money tree is highly sensitive to temperature changes. Mastering the correct revival techniques after freezing is key to saving the plant.
Four Steps for Emergency Treatment of Frost-Injured Money Trees
Judging the Degree of Frost Injury and Pruning Techniques
Observing the leaf condition is the first step in treatment: mild frost injury is characterized by leaf edges becoming necrotic, while severe frost damage results in the leaves becoming waterlogged. It is recommended to make an oblique cut 1cm from the base of the petiole, using pruning shears that have been disinfected with alcohol to avoid secondary infections. When the main stem's epidermis shows shrinkage, the outer layer needs to be scraped off to confirm the condition of the cambium layer.
Gradual Temperature Control Plan
Avoid moving the plant directly to a high-temperature environment. Instead, gradually increase the temperature by 3-5°C per day until it reaches the ideal range of 18-25°C. Use a double-layer temperature control method: wrap the main stem with a non-woven fabric on the inside and cover it with a transparent plastic bag with air holes on the outside. During the afternoon, temporarily remove the covering to promote gas exchange.
Light Supply Strategy
After frost injury, the plant needs to enhance photosynthetic efficiency, ensuring at least 4 hours of diffused light daily. You can use the mirror reflection principle by placing a reflective board on the north side of the plant to increase the light exposure. During the bare stem period, spray a foliar fertilizer containing trehalose weekly to activate the photosynthetic activity of the epidermal cells.
Precise Water Management
Do not water the plant within 72 hours after frost injury. Wait until the potting soil is completely dry and then use the immersion pot method to add water. Prepare 25°C warm water with 0.1% indole-3-butyric acid rooting hormone and soak for no more than 15 minutes. Maintain a humidity of 60%-70% during the recovery period, which can be achieved by placing wet clay pebbles in a tray to keep the soil moist.
Frost Damage Prevention and Long-Term Maintenance
Begin cold resistance training two months before winter arrives: gradually reduce the nighttime temperature to 12°C and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to increase the cell sap concentration. Use PE insulating film to create a立体 protective cover and place a thermometer inside to monitor temperature and humidity in real time. Be especially careful when placing the plant on a windowsill at night, ensuring it is more than 30cm away to avoid cold radiation.
Through a systematic revival plan after freezing, combined with scientific environmental control, even severely frost-injured money trees can regrow new buds within 45-60 days. The key is to grasp the golden treatment period of 72 hours after frost injury, adopt a gradual warming strategy, and allow the plant to self-repair and regenerate.