Many people have a money tree . It is believed that this flower brings money, that's why it is called. But in fact, his name is Crassula, and he can be very, very different. However, the people gave him other names: a fat girl and a fat girl, which, to a certain extent, can also cause associations with well-being. And an even more good omen can be considered an observation of how the money tree is blooming (photo below).
Place in botany
In fact, Crassula refers to the so-called succulents - plants that store water in reserve, like cacti. But, unlike the latter, she does not have thorns, but has normal leaves. The genus Crassula has many species - about 300, but, as a rule, Crassula arborescens, or tree trefoil, as well as C. ovata (oval) are grown at home. They may look more or less familiar, that is, have round or slightly elongated leaves, but there are also specimens with triangular, square and other leaves.
In nature
Many gardeners are sometimes surprised when they see that the flower that grows in their house on the windowsill, easily took root in someone in the garden or just outside, like a weed. Crassula, for example, is widespread in Latin America and Mexico, and some species in South Africa. Just knowing it may not work, because it can grow up to 3 meters, it is impossible to contain such a plant at home. Perhaps someone will ask: how to care for a money tree if its homeland is a hot and desolate country? Do not arrange the same thing at home. Of course not, especially since Crassula already feels excellent indoors. So, how to care for the money tree so that it will please the owners for many years?
Growing a house
This rather unpretentious plant was liked by many housewives. And the leaves, somewhat reminiscent of coins, began to be associated with financial well-being. Of course, Crassula does not bring money by itself, but the mood and desire to earn it can support it. In general, the popularity of this flower is not surprising. Crassula may well be the first plant for an inexperienced home "gardener". It does not require the maintenance of any difficult conditions and generally has a reputation as a completely non-whimsical pet. And although the fat woman grows quite actively, the flowers of the money tree are not such a frequent occurrence. But if you set yourself such a goal, you can achieve it.
By the way, this plant also has pests. Often a mealybug or spider mite settles on it, especially if the air in the apartment is dry. Crassula can also become infected with a fungus, which will be quite difficult to get rid of, so it’s better to follow the basic rules, and then such troubles will not happen.
Care
First of all, it is worth saying about suitable soil. Crassula loves loose soddy soil with sand. Bright light is preferred, but not in direct sunlight. However, Crassula tolerates partial shade quite painlessly, but in dark corners it can lose its decorative effect, stretch out and turn pale. The fat woman is more or less demanding on temperature - she likes heat up to 22 degrees.
When watering, remember that excess is worse than lack. It is better to moisten the soil abundantly, but with sufficient interruptions so that it has time to dry out. Watering in summer is, of course, more frequent than in winter. Additional humidification or spraying the fat woman does not harm, but it is not particularly required. Care is very simple, but even after performing all these simple steps, you can never see how the money tree blooms. Photo of this phenomenon, of course, can be found easily, but it is so curious to see it with your own eyes!
Bloom
The home money tree is a familiar inhabitant of window sills in many Russian apartments. A similar picture is not surprising. Only a beautifully formed specimen may be of interest, but not everyone has the desire and enough patience to learn how to grow a money tree and make a bonsai from it, although the result can be very interesting.
Watering, suitable soil and a pot, a lot of light - so that the money tree bloomed, this is not enough. Many botanists say that for this the plant should grow on the street, and not at home in a pot, because it loves fresh air. You can try to simulate these conditions, taking the crassula to the country in the summer or putting it on the balcony until the fall.
If you arrange a "free regime" in the warm season, and in winter make the conditions of detention cooler than standard ones, you can achieve your goal and still see the money tree flowers. It always happens somehow unexpectedly. Suddenly, single inflorescences appear on the plant, as a rule, there are few of them, but sometimes the entire crown is covered with them. The fat woman begins to smell sweetly. And these delicate pink, white, yellow flowers, it turns out, look incredibly beautiful and harmonize with its thick leaves. The whole plant seems to be transformed, and it seems that the name "fat girl" sounds somehow offensive and does not fit this beauty at all. And although the money tree flowers themselves are rather inconspicuous, the overall picture is simply wonderful. True, do not forget that delicate inflorescences are poisonous, so you should not taste them - this can have serious consequences.
Fertilizers
To make the money tree bloom, it is worth making a little more effort. It implies good care and timely feeding of the plant with useful substances. Many owners consider this superfluous, since even without fertilizer, the rosula looks great. And yet, during the period of active growth, that is, from the end of spring to the beginning of autumn, feeding can be done once every two weeks with watering. Special mixtures for succulents and cacti are quite suitable. A couple of years of such a life - and money tree flowers can be expected. The photo can then be shown to friends as evidence that your efforts were not in vain.
Breeding
Crassulaceae lends itself perfectly to cuttings, and rooting also has no problems. It is best to do this in the spring, immediately after the start of active sap flow: under the sun and in the heat, the process will go much faster. And how to grow a money tree from seeds, and is it even possible? There are no problems with this, but for young plants you need to choose the right pot - it should be wide and flat, otherwise the flower will begin to stretch up and grow weak.
By the way, most species of Crassul live perfectly for several years in the same substrate, so often they do not need to be transplanted. In extreme cases, if it seems that the pot is becoming really small, you can carefully transship and leave the plant alone for another 3-4 years.
In culture and traditions
The role of the money tree, bringing good luck in financial matters, began to play when the oriental doctrine of harmony in the house called Feng Shui spread in the West. According to him, a fat woman can attract funds to the family, improve her financial situation. And an incredibly good omen is the situation when the money tree flowers appear, especially if there are a lot of them. This may mean that soon the owner will literally flood financial flow. Where it comes from depends on the situation. This can be a promotion or a new field of activity that will become a source of income, or maybe an inheritance from distant relatives, a lottery - in general, anything. Not surprisingly, the housewives want to learn how to care for the money tree so that it blooms.
Wishes of financial success are especially useful for young families who have just begun their independent lives. And if at a wedding a gift in the form of a fat girl may not be too appropriate, then as a souvenir for a housewarming party it will suit perfectly!