How to care for a money tree to ensure vigorous growth
About how to care for a money tree to ensure vigorous growth and some tips for spring maintenance of money trees, here is a detailed introduction.
With the weather getting warmer, many flower enthusiasts find that their money trees are not growing new branches and leaves, and some leaves are even turning yellow. Spring is supposed to be the peak growing season for money trees, so why isn't there any new growth and why are there yellow leaves?
This is mainly due to neglecting some key points in the maintenance process, leading to the plant not growing robustly. So, how to care for a money tree after the spring warming up to encourage new growth? Just focus on four key points.
One, ensure good ventilation in the growing environment
Many money trees at home develop yellow leaves not due to any disease or pest infestation, but because they have been kept in a closed indoor environment throughout the winter, with dry air and poor ventilation. While such an environment won't freeze the plant, it is not conducive to growth, and over time, it can lead to yellowing and withering of leaves.
After the weather warms up, it's important to open windows often to maintain air circulation. When the surrounding air is too dry, frequently spray the branches and leaves with water using a spray bottle to maintain a higher humidity level, providing a good growing environment for the money tree.
Once the weather warms up, you can also move the money tree outside for a period to let the plant recover and bask in the spring breeze and light rain, which will help the plant grow better.
Two, replace with loose and breathable potting soil
Some money trees don't grow even after a few years, with slow growth. In such cases, you need to change the potting soil for them. Check if there are any issues with the roots or if the soil is too sticky, poorly ventilated, and lacks nutrients.
In the spring, which is the peak growing season for the plant, after repotting, trim the old, weak, and diseased roots, disinfect them, and then replant in fresh soil.
How to care for a money tree to ensure vigorous growth
The potting soil for a money tree should be loose and breathable. Avoid using too hard potting soil, as it can easily become compacted, lacks nutrients, and the plant will not grow robustly, making it more prone to yellow leaves.
Three, the potting soil should not be overly moist
Many beginners believe that money trees love water and therefore water them frequently, leading to constantly moist potting soil. After some time, this can result in yellowing and falling leaves.
Money trees prefer a warm and humid growing environment, meaning a high humidity environment, not excessive watering. The more you water, the more likely it is to cause root rot.
The plant's roots are not very developed to begin with, and frequent watering is even more detrimental to growth. When watering a money tree, just keep it slightly moist.
This means that when the potting soil is 80-90% dry, or when a bamboo skewer inserted into the soil starts to dry in the middle, water the pot thoroughly, not just the top layer. Only when the inner roots absorb water can the plant grow robustly.
Four, fertilize promptly in spring
Although money trees are mainly ornamental plants, they need sufficient nutrients to grow lush. If the plant hasn't been repotted or fertilized for a long time, it won't receive the necessary nutrients, leading to no new growth and yellow leaves.
Spring is the season of growth, and money trees will sprout more new buds during this time. Regularly fertilizing to supplement nutrients is key to caring for a money tree.
When fertilizing a money tree, use nitrogen-based fertilizer as the main component, with a small amount of other trace elements. You can fertilize once a month with a multi-element compound fertilizer or apply a dilute nutrient solution, both of which can provide the plant with nutrients and promote rapid new growth.
In conclusion: Money trees that are maintained in a closed indoor environment for a long time may become weak due to dry air and poor ventilation. Once the weather warms up, it's important to frequently open windows for ventilation or move the plant outside to receive some weak scattered sunlight, and to strengthen water and fertilizer care to make the plant lush and full.
That's a detailed introduction on how to care for a money tree to ensure vigorous growth and some spring maintenance tips. Did you get it?