Is the money tree poisonous? What are the dangers?
Today's small experience sharing: Is the money tree poisonous? What are the dangers and the precautions for maintaining the green plants of the money tree, let's continue reading!
Is the money tree poisonous?
The money tree is not poisonous. The money tree belongs to the Araceae family of ornamental leaf plants. Although most plants in the Araceae family are poisonous, the money tree is not. It is an excellent indoor ornamental plant that contains plant alkaloids. Although some sensitive individuals may experience skin and mucosal irritation after touching it, this can only occur if the plant is damaged and the sap is touched. It is an exaggeration to say that the money tree is a highly toxic plant.
Propagation methods of the money tree
1. Division propagation: Usually in April when the outdoor temperature reaches above 18℃, remove the large money tree plant from the pot, shake off most of the residual soil, split it from the weak joint of the corm, and apply sulfur powder or wood ash to the wound. Then, plant it in a new pot, making sure not to plant it too deep, with the top of the corm buried 1.5-2 centimeters below the soil.
2. Cutting propagation: The cuttings of the money tree can be a single small leaf, a section of the leaf axis with two leaves, or a single section of the leaf axis. The cutting with the leaf axis and leaves has a faster rooting speed and a higher germination rate, making it easier to form larger corms. Plant the single leaf in a mixture of river sand and vermiculite. After 10-14 days, a root ball will form at the base of the leaf. After 2-3 months of cultivation, it can grow into a small plant, but the seedling rate is generally not high.
3. Leaf insertion propagation: The leaf insertion propagation of the money tree involves cutting leaves of different maturity or double leaves with petioles or single leaves with petioles, soaking them overnight in 250ppm of indole butyric acid or naphthyl acetic acid, or mixing them with clay. Insert them into a clean river sand bed or directly into peat and other substrates. The leaves can be placed flat or upright. After insertion, keep the sand bed moist. After 50-60 days, the base of the petiole or total petiole will swell, and then sturdy new roots will grow from the side.
Money tree cultivation methods
1. Temperature management: The optimal growing temperature for the money tree is 20-32℃. Whether it is potted or planted in the ground, it requires little change in the average annual temperature. It is best to grow it in a controllable greenhouse. In the summer, when the temperature reaches above 35℃, the plant's growth is poor, and measures such as covering black nets to shade and spraying water around the environment should be taken to cool down and create a suitable environment with a spatial temperature that is relatively dry. In winter, it is best to maintain a greenhouse temperature above 10℃. If the room temperature is below 5℃, it can lead to cold damage to the plant and seriously endanger its survival. In late autumn and early winter, when the temperature drops below 8℃, it should be moved to a well-lit indoor area. During the entire overwintering period, the temperature should be maintained between 8℃ and 10℃, which is relatively safe and reliable.
2. Light control: The money tree likes light but also has strong shade tolerance. It should be provided with an environment that has good sunlight but also a certain degree of shade, avoiding direct strong sunlight, especially the strong sunlight after a long rain and the strong sunlight from 5-6 hours before and after noon in summer, as it can easily cause the newly sprouted tender leaves to be sunburned. In commercial cultivation, from late spring to mid-autumn, it should be placed in a shaded shed with 50-70%遮光, but not too dark, otherwise it can cause the newly sprouted leaves to be thin and long, the leaf color to fade, and the spacing between the small leaves to be sparse, affecting the compact and beautiful appearance of the plant. For potted plants moved to the greenhouse in winter, supplementary lighting should be provided.
3. Water management: In commercial cultivation, for plants placed in a greenhouse, when the room temperature reaches above 33℃, the plants should be sprayed with water once a day. As the plant has strong drought resistance, it is best to keep the potting soil slightly moist but not too dry. Occasionally excessive watering will not cause root rot. In winter, attention should be paid to spraying water on the leaves and the surrounding environment to keep the relative humidity above 50%. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, reduce watering or replace it with spraying to help the new tender leaves survive the winter safely. Additionally, in winter, the potting soil should not be too moist, preferably on the drier side, otherwise in low temperatures, overly moist soil can easily cause root rot and even the death of the entire plant.
4. Soil selection: The special climatic conditions of the money tree's native origin have given it strong drought resistance, so the basic requirement for the cultivation medium is good permeability. The cultivation medium usually uses peat, coarse sand, or washed coal slag mixed with a small amount of garden soil, adjusting the pH value to between 6 and 6.5, slightly acidic. Because of its large corms, developed roots, and long pinnate leaves, it is suitable to use deeper celadon or purple sand pots for planting, with more stones, bricks, or bark chunks padded at the bottom, about 1/4 of the depth of the pot, to create a good permeability and water-filtering root environment. Loosen the soil once a month during the growing season to keep the cultivation medium well-permeable. During the plum rain season, check frequently and if waterlogging is found in the pot, replace the potting soil in time.
5. Fertilizer management: The money tree prefers fertilizer. In addition to adding an appropriate amount of decomposed cake fertilizer or multi-element slow-release compound fertilizer to the cultivation medium, during the growing season, you can apply a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 2-3 times a month, or apply a balanced fertilizer 20-10-20 at a concentration of 200-250ppm combined with calcium nitrate. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, to ensure it can safely overwinter, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and continue to apply 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 2-3 times to promote the hardening and filling of the young leaf axes and newly sprouted leaves. When the temperature drops below 15℃, stop all forms of top-dressing to avoid root damage caused by fertilizer in low temperatures.
What to do if the money tree leaves turn yellow
1. Irregular watering: The money tree prefers a warm and slightly dry environment and is drought-resistant. Overwatering can easily lead to yellowing leaves. When maintaining the plant on a balcony above the 3rd floor, place the potted plant on a wet sand tray, usually spray water on the leaves to wash off the dust, and provide shade. In indoor maintenance, when the room temperature reaches 33℃, spray the plant once a day, keeping the potting soil slightly moist. In winter, pay attention to spraying water on the leaves and the surrounding environment to achieve a relative humidity of over 50%. Reduce watering after the Mid-Autumn Festival or replace it with spraying to help the new tender leaves survive the winter safely. Additionally, in winter, the potting soil should not be too moist, preferably on the drier side, otherwise in low temperatures, overly moist soil can easily cause root rot and even the death of the entire plant.
2. Inappropriate lighting: The growth environment of the money tree is in a well-lit area but not exposed to strong sunlight. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight and ensure good ventilation and shade, otherwise, it can lead to yellowing leaves.
3. Improper fertilization: The money tree prefers fertilizer, but it is important to master the right amount. During the growing season, you can apply a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 2-3 times a month to the money tree, or apply a balanced fertilizer 20-10-20 at a concentration of 200-250ppm combined with calcium nitrate.
4. Pest reasons: Pest infestation is also one of the reasons for the yellowing of money tree leaves. In poor ventilation and poor lighting conditions, the leaves of the money tree are easily damaged by scale insects. Control methods for home cultivation include using transparent tape to remove the insect bodies or wiping them with a wet cloth. In commercial cultivation, spray 20% imidacloprid wettable powder 1000 times liquid during the peak hatching period of the nymphs for effective pest control.
5. Unsuitable soil: Insufficient soil acidity can also cause the money tree leaves to turn yellow. Due to the special climatic conditions of the money tree's native origin, it has developed strong drought resistance and requires good permeability in the cultivation medium. The cultivation medium usually uses peat, coarse sand, or washed coal slag mixed with a small amount of garden soil, adjusting the pH value to between 6 and 6.5, slightly acidic. Because of its large corms, developed roots, and long pinnate leaves, it is suitable to use deeper celadon or purple sand pots for planting, with more stones, bricks, or bark chunks padded at the bottom, about 1/4 of the depth of the pot, to create a good permeability and water-filtering root environment. Loosen the soil once a month during the growing season to keep the cultivation medium well-permeable. During the plum rain season, check frequently and if waterlogging is found in the pot, replace the potting soil in time.
Above is the introduction to whether the money tree is poisonous, what are the dangers, and the precautions for maintaining the money tree, for everyone to learn and understand!