How to Care for Money Tree
An introduction to the care and cultivation methods of the Money Tree and its bonsai, along with precautions for green plants and flowers. Let's get to know more about it.
The Money Tree prefers loose, fertile, well-draining acidic soil and enjoys a climate that is sunny, warm, humid, and well-ventilated. The tree itself is not cold-resistant and needs to be kept indoors during the winter. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry, until water flows out of the bottom of the pot. After watering, wait for the surface soil to dry before watering again. During the growing season, apply a compound fertilizer with 10 or more granules every 30 days. To enhance the tree's delicate, bright green leaves, pruning and topping of the potted plant are necessary.
Let's discuss the care methods for the Money Tree together.
Soil Preparation
The Money Tree prefers acidic soil. Not all types of soil can be used for cultivation. The potting soil should be rich in organic matter and have good drainage and aeration. The soil should be slightly acidic to ensure the tree grows well. A mixture of leaf mold, peat, coal slag, and coarse sand in a ratio of 5:3:1:1 can be used as the potting soil.
Sunlight Requirement
The Money Tree enjoys plenty of sunlight and ventilation. It's best to keep it outdoors during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, with no need for shade. In winter, move it indoors near a window to ensure it gets some sunlight. Even if kept indoors for a long time, the leaves will remain green without turning yellow.
Environmental Temperature
The temperature for the Money Tree needs to be controlled. Since the tree is not cold-resistant, it cannot be kept outdoors in winter. The optimal growing temperature is between 20℃-30℃. During winter, when temperatures are lower, it's best to move the tree indoors but keep it away from heat sources. The minimum temperature for overwintering should be above 5℃.
How to Care for Money Tree
Watering Method
Water the Money Tree based on the moisture level of the soil. When the soil is completely dry, water thoroughly until water flows out of the bottom of the pot. Do not water halfway.
During the day, especially when it's hot, you can spray water on the branches with a spray bottle to increase humidity and keep the leaves moist and glossy. In winter, when temperatures are low and the evaporation from the potted plant indoors is limited, water again after the surface soil dries.
Proper Fertilization
The Money Tree does not like a lot of fertilizer and does not require much. The key to fertilization is "frequent application of thin fertilizer." The simplest method is to bury 9 to 11 granules of long-acting compound fertilizer in the soil away from the roots every month. Note that when the temperature exceeds 35℃ in summer or drops below 10℃ in winter, fertilization should be stopped to avoid fertilizer damage.
Daily Pruning
To highlight the delicate, bright green leaves of the Money Tree and make them even smaller and greener, pinching can be done in spring and autumn to promote axillary bud growth and branching. This will result in much smaller leaves and create a more beautiful tree shape.
Precautions
The Money Tree is prone to scale insects, especially during the rainy season when conditions are shady and poorly ventilated. If scale insects are found, they can be picked off one by one with a bamboo skewer. Then, bury the carbaryl granules shallowly in the potting soil, water thoroughly to soak the roots, and kill the pests. Pay attention to ventilation in daily care.
The experience and knowledge shared above on how to care for the Money Tree and its bonsai, along with precautions, are hoped to provide you with some help after reading this article!