Pachira aquatica (money tree) is a well-liked house plant that is said to fully fulfil prosperity and good fortune.
It is mostly observed in houses and offices because it has neat, green, glossy leaves, and it is regarded as an easy-to-maintain plant. This is a tropical tree that is native to the Central and South parts of America and is able to grow in different environments, though it needs warm and humid conditions.
How to Take Care of a Money Tree
Your money tree will turn into a healthy and lush tree due to proper attention. Here we will discuss the basic things of taking care of a money tree, starting with the selection of the right place, to watering, fertilization, pruning, and pest control.
How to pick the correct place to plant your money?
The trick to taking care of your money tree is setting it in the appropriate place.
Money trees are also able to grow under a lower amount of light, although their development might slow down, so they can grow in bright indirect light.
You should also ensure your tree is in a location where it gets a lot of natural light, like one inside a window using sheer curtains or one inside a bright corner. The sunlight may tend to burn the leaves, and therefore, they should not be subjected to direct sunlight.
Besides light, temperature, and humidity should also be considered, as they are also important elements in deciding where to locate your money tree. It likes a temperature range of 60-75 °F (15-24 °C), and must not be subjected to draughts, spikes, or cold wind.
The tree should also be kept out of heaters or air conditioning vents, as this causes the plant to be stressed and damaged.
Money trees also flourish in moisture, so in a dry environment like indoors during the winter season, since there is no moisture, it is advisable to place the plant in a well-damp environment like a bathroom or window with a humidity tray or room humidifier to enable the money tree to grow.
Watering and Irrigation
One of the most important issues with the money tree is its proper watering.
Money trees, like most of the plants in the tropics, like well-evenly moist soil, although they are unable to withstand standing water.
Root rot is one of the most widespread issues with this plant, which may be caused by overwatering. It is important to maintain a balance between watering the soil, which should not be saturated.
Your money tree should be watered as soon as the top 1-2 inches of soil dry under your fingers.
To check the ratio of moisture in the soil, put your finger into the soil, and if you think it is dry, that is when the time to water is.
Make sure that the pot is drained of water at the bottom to avoid overflow. When the pot is in the pot holder, be sure to drain out all the extra water that might be in the saucer.
When the money tree is in the growing season (spring and summer), you will need to give the money tree more water, but in dormant seasons (fall and winter), you will need to water the money tree less.
Water requirements of the tree will be different according to the temperature, humidity, and the pot size. Mostly, it is better underwater than overwater.
The plant should recover in case of a drought, but in case of root rot, it may not.
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Tending and Trimming Your Financial Tree
Money tree is a plant that needs clipping, which is crucial for its shape and health.
The money tree grows fast, and when not shaped properly, the money tree looks unbalanced or leggy.
Pruning on a regular basis will keep the plant well-kept and attractive, and it will stimulate new growth.
Your money tree should be pruned at the most opportune time, and this comes when the growing season is between spring and summer, when the plant is growing.
To start with, strip off all leaves that are dead, rotten, or yellow, and trim them at the stem.
When your tree has turned too tall or leggy, you will be able to bend a few of those extra-length stems to form it into a more compact bushy shape.
It should be cut back with clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears so as to avoid damaging the plant or infecting it with a disease.
The other unique characteristics of the money tree are that it has a braided trunk, which is attained by weaving the stems when they are young.
In case you want to sustain or improve the braid, make sure that the stems grow straight and erect.
When the stems stretch, they can be placed in their correct position or re-braided and should not be pushed to be what they are not supposed to be.
Fertilizing Your Money Tree
Although money trees are a fairly low-maintenance plant, they can be fertilised periodically, particularly during the growing season.
Frequent feeding makes the plant very strong and healthy, enabling it to provide the important nutrients in order to aid in growing and having green leaves.
Water your money tree with a water-soluble fertiliser of a balanced formula, specific to houseplants.
Once every month, either in spring or summer, when the plant is growing, it is better to apply a fertilizer.
Atelny is in the dormant stage and does not need extra nutrients; hence, avoid the fertilising period, which is in the fall and in the winter.
To prevent overfeeding the plant, which may cause plant damage, when using fertiliser, dilute it to half the recommended strength.
Feeding of soil with fertilizer should be applied on wet soil because this ensures that the nutrients are absorbed uniformly.
It is important to look out that fertiliser does not come into direct contact with the stems or leaves because this burns the vegetation.
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Managing Pests and Diseases
Even though money trees are not easily affected by pests, certain insects and diseases may affect them.
The spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs are the most prevalent pests that attack money trees.
The pests may damage the leaves of the plant, making them turn yellow or wilt. In case of pests, treat the plant immediately so that an infestation does not spread.
Spider mites are small and are very hard to see; however, they leave behind plant webbing. In case you notice any webs or see tiny specks on the leaves, it’s probably spider mites.
Cleaning of spider mites, spraying leaves with a wet cloth (or insecticidal soap or neem oil) is a way of controlling these spider mites.
The aphids and mealybugs could be managed in a similar way by wiping the leaves using a cotton swab dipped in some rubbing alcohol or spraying the plant using a weak insecticidal solution.
In case the infestation is extreme, one may resort to the use of a systemic insecticide that is absorbed by the plant, and it is more effective in the control of pests.
Money trees may also fall victim to root rot, especially when they are overwatered or the soil lacks the ability to drain. To prevent rot, be sure that the plant growing in it gets well-draining soil, and the surplus water should be able to leave the pot.
When you suspect root rot, take the plant out of the pot, look at the roots, and cut out any parts of the roots that have been affected. After this, you should repot the plant in freshly dry soil.
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Conclusion
The care of a money tree is not very difficult, and given the right conditions, this plant may stay and develop for several years.
With a proper place, good lighting, keeping the tree trimmed, fertilising every growing period, controlling pests and diseases, you will be able to keep your smooth grocery tree in good health and bright.
An easy-going plant that also purifies the air, the money tree is the perfect fit for every home or office, not only because of the beauty it brings with it but also owing to the positive energy it is thought to emit.
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