Basic biological characteristics of the money tree:
The money tree is also known as the coin tree (gold coin tree) or Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It is被誉为 "Dragon Phoenix wood." Xueqian yu is its literary name. Native to the tropical grasslands of Africa, it is a rare, perennial, leafy herb mainly propagated through underground corms.Due to its air-purifying effect, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant to purify the air and increase the green atmosphere in the space, making people feel relaxed and happy.
Image: Money tree leaves during maintenance
The money tree has no main stem above ground but has corms underground. It prefers a warm, semi-shaded, and fertile soil environment. Its underground corms have a strong ability to sprout and regenerate, and the compound leaves have a fast renewal ability. Therefore, the propagation of new money tree plants mainly involves dividing the underground corms (splitting the rhizome or breaking off the plantlets) and the stem axis leaves, or even the compound leaf cuttings.Methods for propagating new money tree plants:
(I) Corm division (breaking off rhizomes) propagation method:
This method is based on the ability of the money tree's underground corms to sprout and regenerate. The process involves dividing the underground corms of the mother plant, leaving 1-2 sprouts per corm, and dividing them at the weak junction of the rhizome (or quickly cutting with a sharp blade).After treating the wound with a 50% carbendazim wettable powder solution (500-800 times) or a 70% methyl thiophanate wettable powder solution (800-1000 times), the new plants are simply trimmed for the roots and then dipped or soaked in a rooting hormone solution before transplanting them into the prepared soil bed.
Image: Strong money tree plant
How to cultivate a money tree plant
Maintain the soil moisture, and if exposed to strong sunlight, cover with a shading net to reduce light intensity, allowing the plant to grow in a semi-shaded environment until the wound heals and the new plant is ready to be planted independently.
(II)Leaf cutting propagation with leaves for new money tree plants:
Cut a 5-10 cm stem segment with compound leaves from the mother plant and soak it in a 5% naphthylacetic acid and rooting powder solution for 2-3 hours. Then insert it vertically into the prepared cutting bed soil. Leave the leaves outside and the stem part completely buried. Water thoroughly and cover with a shading net. Maintain good soil moisture and light intensity for the cutting bed. After 2-3 months, it can grow into new plants for transplanting.
(III) Directly using the compound leaves of the money tree for leaf cutting propagation:
This propagation method is based on the strong sprouting and renewal ability of the money tree's compound leaves.
Method: Directly cut the double leaves with the main stem or single leaves with the main stem from the mother plant, soak them in a naphthylacetic acid or rooting powder solution, and then insert them directly into the prepared bed matrix soil. Manage light and moisture. After 50-60 days, the base of the petiole will swell, and then new roots will gradually grow from the side, developing into new plants.
About transplanting new money tree plants:
After the new money tree plants have grown, they can be transplanted with soil or the soil can be shaken off the new plants, and after simple root pruning and dipping in a rooting solution (or after soaking in a rooting powder solution), they can be transplanted.
If grown outdoors, a large hole can be dug for transplanting. If grown indoors for ornamental purposes, the soil matrix must be reconstituted.
Image: New money tree plants ready for sale