Care of the money tree at home: transplantation, reproduction, disease

In what era began to grow indoor plants, it is difficult to say. But since they entered our lives, it is impossible to imagine an apartment without decorative pots on the windowsill, a hall of public institutions without tree compositions and an office without tropical ficus. The money tree enjoys considerable popularity among amateur gardeners. At home, caring for him is not so complicated. In this article we will talk about some secrets that you need to know for those who like this unique plant.

Some interesting information

In the wild, there are up to 350 species of tree plants. Most often it is found in Madagascar. In the natural environment, succulent has an unusually high ability to survive. The extreme conditions of a hot climate are not an obstacle for him. Absorbing the necessary amount of moisture and nutrients, the exotic plant reaches enormous size.

The tree owes its name to the interesting structure of the root system, in appearance resembling a flat coin. On this occasion, there are some beliefs that a healthy appearance of the bush is closely related to the well-being of its owner. Falling into the trap of superstitions, many begin to worry about themselves and their loved ones when the plant is sick. In fact, falling leaves from the crown does not affect the flow or absence of funds. Florists understand this, but since it is customary, they call the succulent a dollar tree.

It is quite natural that, getting into an unusual habitat, a plant requires attention from a person. Each mistake when caring for a money tree at home is reflected in it. Obviously, a negative reaction is observed due to improper succulent content.

This representative of tropical places can be attributed to the group of the most hardy indoor plants. However, in order for the tree to please the eye, you need to know some of the nuances of growing it. Beginning flower gardeners should carefully read them and create the most comfortable atmosphere in their home.

In order for the plant to please you with its decorative bouquets in the form of stars, it needs to provide some care at home. The money tree gives flowers only to those owners who are familiar with its botanical features. We will talk about these secrets a bit later.

Kinds

In addition to the common name by which everyone knows this plant, it is scientifically called Crassula. Separate the tree according to external signs. He is also called a thick silver flesh, stonecrop of Adolf and sickle-shaped crassula. Presumably, it is considered to belong to the group of bush-shaped representatives, distinguished by a thick stem. Due to this feature, it seems elementary to form a tree out of it.

Although it was precisely the money tree that managed to take its rightful place in the heart of flower growers, there are several more varieties that are grown indoors. In our country, three subspecies of the Crassula are known: Purslane, ovoid and Crassula. They are distinguished by the shape of leaves, stems and branches, while the main stem is not particularly susceptible to change. In the discussion process, pay attention to the photo of the money tree. Home care does not detract from its natural beauty.

Choosing the right place

Crassula loves stability and does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. For her stay, you need to choose a room in which the indicators on the thermometer will be moderate. Paradoxically, in an African plant, at a temperature higher than + 24 ° C, the crown begins to fade. Excessive coolness must not be allowed, for example, lower than + 16 ° C.

Treelike Crassulaceae can develop at any humidity, but again, its level should be constant. She also does not like to run around the house. They respond to any changes instantly. Jumps in air humidity lead to yellowing of the leaves.

In order to take good care of the money tree at home, it should be placed at the correct level relative to the arrival of daylight. It is better that direct illumination alternates with diffused rays throughout the day. If there is no such place, the shadow is created using curtains or other improvised means. You can not protect the crassula completely from the sun.

In order for the fat woman to get the optimal amount of light and heat, the flowerpot needs to be placed on a stand next to the window. With a lack of light and an excess of moisture, the stem stretches and forms ugly.

Basic care

Caring for the money tree at home is a few simple steps. Perhaps the most important trick in keeping a fat woman is to control moisture. In summer, it is watered 2 times a week. In winter, a single moisturization of 14 days, or even once a month, will be enough. Experienced growers are advised to learn how to control this process on their own. It is necessary to check the ground to a depth of two centimeters - if it is dry, then the plant is watered. This is the most reliable way.

If the roots are constantly in wet soil, then a fungal disease is provided. In case of decay, immediate measures must be taken to save the rosula. The bush is carefully removed from the soil, dried and the roots affected by the disease are trimmed.

Do not forget about another important detail regarding the decorativeness of such a plant as a money tree. Home care involves regular rubbing of each individual leaflet from dust.

To make the crown look alive and saturated, you need to periodically feed. This is done using special mixtures for cacti. Fortunately, pests, the tropical plant did not like. True, despite the fact that they visit him extremely rarely, carrying out preventive treatments will not hurt.

Lovers of flowers need to be prepared for the difficulties that comprehend when leaving at home, the money tree. The fat girl sometimes presents unexpected unpleasant surprises. If the leaves have lost their natural luster and wrinkled, you need to pay attention to the soil, perhaps it is too dry. Lack of moisture significantly depletes the indoor flower. A similar problem can occur if you pour it with too cold water.

Transfer

If the flower was purchased at a store, it is not advisable to transplant it immediately. Since this technique is necessary, you still have to do it a bit later. This is done in order to avoid unnecessary troubles in the future and provide the money tree with home care. Transplanting allows the root system to grow stronger and grow. The growth of the plant itself will depend on its condition. After the krassula adapts to the apartment, it needs to be transplanted into a more spacious pot. To get used to the new conditions, two weeks will be enough for her. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. A young fat woman is transplanted once a year and a half, an adult - once every 5 years.
2. For a small plant, a capacity is taken larger in diameter by 3-4 cm from the previous one, for an adult - by 6-7 cm.
3. Drainage is laid at the bottom.
4. The bush is carefully taken out together with a lump of earth and transferred to a new container.
5. The space between the wall of the pot and the ground is covered with special soil purchased in a flower shop.
6. The soil is watered along the edge of the pot. Excess water leaked into the sump must be drained immediately.
7. The next watering is possible only when the lump of land is completely dry. Moisturize often and little by little is not recommended.
8. A flowerpot with a rosula is immediately put in place with diffused light.

Tree formation

The magnificent and chic look of the plant will depend on what kind of care is provided to him at home. The money dollar tree that you have ever seen in greenhouses and public spaces has exterior features not by chance. It looks like that only because someone diligently worked on its forms. If you want to have similar beauty on your windowsill, do a few simple manipulations on your plant:

• To turn a bush into a tree, you need to grow a young shoot to 16 cm, then remove the side branches in such a way that part of the future trunk remains free from greenery.
• Next, we form the crown. If the bush is stretched only in length, you need to do pinching. It will take out side shoots, become fluffy and, when it grows, it will acquire a luxurious look. From each branch, the edge with leaves is broken off. By the time of this procedure, there should be at least 4 pairs of leaves on the branches.
• To form a tree-like fatty to your taste, pruning of excess branches is carried out. This technique prevents the plant from premature bushings.
• Some gardeners manage to form a tree using the bonsai technique. To achieve the desired forms, young shoots are cut to the maximum upon reaching 9-11 cm. 2 pairs of leaves are left on them. Thanks to frequent pinches and accessories, such as wire and clamps, they give the crassula a bonsai shape.

How to achieve flowering

To provoke the flowering of a money tree, home care should be aimed at creating the most natural environment for its habitat. Since the plant belongs to the succulents family, it has an African climate. To create a suitable atmosphere, the following recommendations must be followed:

• Comprehensive lighting is an important factor for the proper development of the fat woman. In the summer, it should be taken outside. The flowerpot is best installed in the area where the plant will be shaded at noon. Intense sun rays are not familiar to a houseplant.
• We must take into account that the homeland of Crassula is South Africa, respectively, she loves warmth and is not afraid of heat. Being in the sun will not adversely affect its crown. The only negative is that the leaves can acquire a reddish edging. Do not be afraid of this, because this is a normal reaction of a tree to climate change, because initially, it was indoors.
• Excessive watering can lead to the absence of flowers. The plant does not tolerate high humidity, its roots begin to rot and various diseases appear. Spraying can only be done in hot weather.
• The tree-like fat girl really likes the fresh air. It is best to keep it on the terrace or open loggia. Usually it blooms where the room is regularly ventilated or windows are open.

With the correct understanding of the principles and their application when leaving at home, flowering a money tree will not be difficult to achieve. Remember: you are dealing with a tropical thermophilic plant.

The maintenance of a fat woman in the winter

An ideal place for a plant is a glazed heated loggia. Money tree care at home in the winter takes on a completely different turn. Surprisingly, the representative of the exotic at this time needs to be cool. Putting a flowerpot with a flower close to a battery or other heating item would be a gross mistake. If in the summer period it normally tolerates dry air, then in cold weather the succulent needs to be cooled (10-14 ° C). He needs to create an atmosphere of peace. Crassula is practically not watered, but maintain humidity in the room where it is located.

Breeding

I would like to mention right away how simple and fast the reproduction of money trees is. Care at home for a young cuttings will not take much time. He lets out roots well and perfectly takes root in the ground.

• The best time for breeding is considered the spring months.
• A piece of stem or one leaf is cut off from the shoot. The constituent plants wither slightly in the shade, and then immersed in water. When they release the first roots, they are planted in the ground.
• For a small process, a clay pot is selected. The soil should be loose, a special mixture for succulents or cacti is suitable.
• When planting a sprout, do not forget about the drainage layer. At the end, the flowerpot is sent for a week to a shady place. Before this, the substrate must be abundantly moistened.
• New bushes should be sprayed every day. At this time, they especially need moist air.

For seed propagation of Crassula seeds, you need to take a wide container with low sides. It is necessary to make several holes in it at the bottom, and then fill with sandy soil mixed with sheet soil. Seeds are sown and covered with glass. Next, the seedlings are timely ventilated and sprayed.

Diseases

Like all indoor flowers, the money tree is not safe from diseases. Home care for succulents may be accompanied by the fight against infections. The most common diseases include the following:

• Decay of the root system. Signal of this problem are yellowed and subsequently fallen leaves. We have already mentioned how to process the roots. In addition, they need to be poured with crushed activated carbon and transplanted to a new place. Watering should be reduced.
• Fungal infection. It is expressed in the manifestation of spotting on the crown. Light and brown stains become visible on the leaves. It is necessary to remove the affected parts and disinfect with a fungicide.
• Pests that damage the plant include: scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs. It is better to deal with them using folk remedies. The leaves are wiped with garlic or tobacco infusion. Spray with a solution prepared with their laundry soap and water. Some gardeners practice rubbing with diluted alcohol.

Conclusion

Perhaps this is all that can be told about what a money tree is (photos and care at home for it are also presented in the review). As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this process. Moreover, with a competent approach to the issue, Crassula will reward you with its fancy colors. And it will become a real decoration of your home.