How to Care for a Newly Purchased Money Tree
As a widely popular ornamental plant, the Money Tree is loved for its thick, green leaves and auspicious meaning. However, newly bought Money Trees often suffer from yellowing and wilted leaves due to sudden changes in the environment, making it especially important to master scientific care methods. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the key points for cultivating a newly purchased Money Tree, from environmental adaptation to daily care.
Critical Period of Environmental Adaptation
Initial Indoor Handling Standards
The first task after unpacking is to conduct a physical examination of the plant: remove dead and yellow leaves, and soak the roots in a carbendazim solution for 15 minutes. Pay special attention to check if the original soil ball is compacted and clear any blockage in the drainage holes if found. The plant should be placed in a well-ventilated, shaded area to dry for 12 hours after treatment.
Four Elements of Daily Care
Temperature Control Strategy
Maintain a golden temperature range of 20-28°C, with no more than a 5°C difference between day and night. Use a double-pot method to keep the plant warm in winter and misting to cool it down in summer. Pay special attention to keeping the plant more than 3 meters away from air conditioner vents when placed in an air-conditioned room.
Scientific Repotting Guide
Observe the status of new buds 3 days after transplanting, then choose a ceramic pot with a mixture of perlite (30%), decomposed leaf soil (50%), and vermiculite (20%) as the growing medium. When repotting, keep 1/3 of the original soil to protect the roots and gently tap the pot wall after filling the soil to make the roots adhere.
Light Management Plan
Set the best position on the east-facing windowsill and use a curtain with 60% light blocking rate. Rotate the pot every 10 days by 45 degrees to ensure even light exposure, and use LED grow lights for no more than 4 hours a day.
Advanced Care Techniques
Watering Cycle Formula
Use the formula of "temperature + pot diameter": At 25°C, water a 20cm diameter pot thoroughly once every 7 days; reduce the interval by 2 days for every 5°C increase in temperature, and extend by 1 day for every 5cm increase in pot diameter. The bamboo stake method is more accurate for testing soil moisture.
Disease Prevention System
Apply a Bacillus subtilis solution to the roots every month and spray an extract of garlic on the leaves to prevent pests. Immediately isolate any leaves with spots and apply Daktarin to the affected areas for significant results.
After three months of careful care, the newly purchased Money Tree will complete the period of environmental adaptation. Regularly observe the uprightness of the leaves (>75° is healthy) and the number of new buds (2-3 per month is ideal), and combine with scientific care methods to ensure your Money Tree grows robustly and becomes a bright green landscape in your home.