One of the popular houseplants in Russia is Crassula, better known as the money tree. Its dense, round, plump leaves are very similar to coins. In addition to decorating the interior, it is believed that a tree grown with love can bring good luck and financial well-being to the home.
Crassula is generally an unpretentious plant; caring for the tree is not difficult even for novice gardeners or those who are always busy. The main and basic element of caring for a fat plant at home, ensuring its health and successful growth, is proper watering. Feeding is carried out with special mixtures once every half month and only in the summer, when the plant is actively developing.
Features of watering
The more magnificent the crown of a tree and the fleshier its leaves, the more actively the well-being of the family grows - this is what followers of Feng Shui believe. In addition, the abundant foliage of Crassula neutralizes negative energy. Correct and timely watering, carried out with a good attitude and love, can turn a young sprout into a full-fledged money tree.
This plant, like any living organism, has its own requirements for water quality. For example, its root system does not tolerate watering with cold tap water. Before moistening the soil in the pot, you should let the water settle and warm up to room temperature. It should be stored in an open container to allow the chlorine added to tap water to evaporate. Watering with melt water obtained by freezing in the freezer and then thawing will have an even better effect on the health of the flower - this way chemical impurities harmful to plants are removed from it.
Watering a money tree with a watering can
Watering the plant should be very moderate; it is recommended to do it from a watering can with an elongated spout; the water should flow slowly, without forming puddles in the root zone. If liquid seeps into the tray under the pot, it should be dried with a rag (and not left to soak back, as is done for other indoor flowers) a couple of tens of minutes after watering.
Additional Information. After moistening, the top layer of soil must be loosened to supply the roots with air.
The second way to water a money tree is to supply water through a tray in several passes until the substrate is completely saturated. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that excess moisture does not remain in it, otherwise the roots may begin to rot.
Typical mistakes and their consequences
It happens that serious mistakes are made when watering a money tree. Their price is a decrease in decorativeness, loss of leaves and even branches, diseases, rotting roots and other critical situations. It is important to eliminate the mistakes made as soon as possible, or better yet, to prevent them by studying Crassula agricultural technology in advance.
Problems when growing a money tree, the reasons for their occurrence and methods of elimination:
- The leaves turned yellow and became soft. The reason is abundant and frequent watering, which provokes rotting of the roots. Disease-causing pathogens multiply in the soil and infect the roots. The solution is to normalize the watering regime.
- Cramped pot. If the fat plant is not transplanted in time, it becomes crowded and lacks nutrition. Because of this, the leaves, as well as in case of violation of the watering regime, become soft, lethargic, and yellowed. The solution is to remove the plant from the pot and inspect the roots. If they are rotten, the diseased areas are removed and the crassula is replanted.
- Dropping leaves. The reason is improper watering or stress. The latter can be caused by unfavorable factors - hypothermia, draft, moving from place to place, etc. The most dangerous factor is root rot. The solution depends on the reason that caused the leaves to fall. After eliminating the negative factor, the plant gradually restores the lost green mass.
- Growth has slowed down. The reason is damage to the root system. Including due to violation of the watering regime. The solution is adequate adjustment of irrigation. If everything is done correctly and on time, the plant quickly recovers, without pruning roots or replanting. The reason for slow growth can also be a lack of nutrition or an unsuccessfully chosen place - shade or partial shade. In the first case, transplantation into a new pot - larger in size, and into a new substrate is required. In the second, the plant must be provided with bright, diffused light.
Watering Crassula at different times of the year
How to propagate a Money Tree at home
In order for the tree of wealth to always be lush and pleasing to the eye, the conditions and intensity of watering should be differentiated depending on the time of year.
Being an African native and a genus of succulents, the money tree, with the help of its leaves, twigs and main trunk, can store large amounts of moisture in order to use it up little by little during dry periods. Therefore, for the health of the fat woman, insufficient hydration is easier to tolerate than its excess.
Watering a money tree through a tray
During the cold period, the plant begins to rest. You have to refrain from watering the “poor flower” one more time, even if the soil near the trunk seems completely dry.
When spring comes, the money tree, like most plants, begins to actively flow sap, it begins to grow and actively form new leaves. During this period, it is necessary to increase the number of waterings, depending on the growing conditions and the type of fat plant.
The fat woman can go without water for quite a long time; under no circumstances should it be watered daily. Two waterings a week are enough, and even less in the cold season (the required minimum is a couple of times a month). However, it is necessary to focus primarily on the state of the soil substrate in the pot for each specific plant: is it dry or still wet. Ideally, it should remain moist in the middle and dry in the upper layers.
How often to water a money tree in summer
How often does a money tree need to be watered in the summer? Many inexperienced indoor flower lovers believe that at this time the plant should be watered as often as possible. However, it is advisable to limit the amount of moisturizing to a couple of times every ten days.
In summer, the money tree is watered more often
It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil substrate in the root zone, because it may be dry while the soil underneath is still moist. If you start watering the money tree again, the roots may rot, because they are very sensitive to excess moisture.
Important! If a plant nevertheless begins to lose foliage in the hot summer due to rotting of the roots, it can be revived by removing the dead parts and replanting it in a dry substrate, gradually moistening it to the entire depth of the pot.
Watering in autumn-winter
After the hot summer, it is advisable to keep the soil in containers where the money tree grows dry. Watering is done once a week, because autumn is considered to be the plant’s preparation for wintering, with sap flow slowing down and entering a state of dormancy.
In winter, the frequency of moistening the substrate is significantly reduced. If the tree overwinters at room temperature, in a warm place, it is enough to give it water once a month. If the plant is in a cool room during this period, you don’t have to water it at all.
There is almost no need to water the money tree in winter.
At this time of year (from November to March), the flower rests and gains strength for the new season. At the end of winter, the fat plant is again transferred to warm conditions and watered more often.
If the plant is cared for in this way, the green pet will actively grow a fleshy green mass of leaves - “coins”.
What to do if a flower is flooded?
If the grower over-moistened the plant and it turned out to be flooded, then the only way out in this situation would be to transplant the fat plant into another soil.
This is the only way to save the plant from death. The money tree is carefully removed from the pot, with a small lump of earth, the root system is carefully cleared of soil, the roots are allowed to dry a little, they can be wrapped in a napkin to speed up the drying process and remove excess moisture. The fat plant is transplanted into already slightly moistened soil; it is not recommended to water it for the first two days after transplantation .
Important ! If during transplantation rotten roots are found in the root system, they are carefully removed.
Watering Crassula at home does not cause difficulties for gardeners, and is famous for its unpretentiousness. However, for healthy growth, it is necessary to observe the frequency of irrigation, maintenance conditions, time of year, only compliance with all measures will prevent the plant from causing disease and its death.
Is it possible to spray a money tree?
In addition to watering the root system area directly, many indoor plants (for example, spathiphyllum, tradescantia, chlorophytum, etc.) require cleaning the leaves from dust and humidifying the air near them by spraying from a spray bottle.
How a money tree blooms at home
The money tree is not so picky; it is not at all necessary to spray it regularly. However, if the room is too hot or the air is dry, you can spray the plant a little with a spray bottle of simple settled (or better melt) water in the absence of direct sunlight.
Note! When spraying, it is advisable to cover the soil in the root zone and the tree trunk with a piece of polyethylene so that moisture does not penetrate into the substrate and lead to unnecessary wetting.
Sometimes you can spray the foliage of the Crassula with a spray bottle.
The coin-shaped leaves can be periodically wiped from accumulating dust with a damp cloth. It is also necessary to ensure proper air flow, i.e. ventilate the room where the pot of Crassula is located.
What water to irrigate
Crassula is undemanding when it comes to the composition of water for irrigation. It can be watered with soft water and water of medium hardness. Tap water works fine. You can use rain or snow melt water. It is not recommended to water the fat plant with too hard water.
Before watering, tap water should be left to stand in an open, wide container for 2-3 days.
During this time, it is freed from many substances harmful to the plant. Water the tree only with warm water. It should be 2°C warmer than the surrounding air. You cannot use cold water so that the root system does not become overcooled and putrefactive processes begin.
How to determine if a tree needs watering
It is quite easy for novice gardeners to answer this question - you just have to look at the soil and carefully test it with your finger. If it feels dryness deeper than one phalange, it is necessary to water the tree.
Money tree - home care and flowering
If you are guided only by external inspection, you can make a mistake, because often the top layer of soil may look dry, and under the crust the substrate will even be waterlogged. In such a situation, the fat plant does not need additional watering, but rather loosening the top layer.
Something to remember! During the cold season, the soil will dry more slowly (which is why the amount of watering is significantly reduced in winter), and faster in the hot summer season.
If it is not possible to water the fat plant (for example, when going on vacation), you can pour wet expanded clay onto the soil. It will dry out excess moisture and release it when hydration is needed.
What kind of water is needed?
Flower growers choose water carefully; the healthy growth of the plant largely depends on the quality of water. It is not recommended to use tap water , as it contains a high chlorine content, which can be detrimental to the fatty acid.
It is advisable to use pre-purified water to moisten the fat. If it is not possible to filter the water, then take water from the tap and leave it for at least 6 hours in a glass jar with an open lid to evaporate all harmful substances.
The water temperature for irrigation should be room temperature . A good alternative for irrigation is melt water, which does not contain harmful microelements.
To prepare it, the water in the container should be placed in the freezer, wait until some of the water freezes, then the top layer of water is drained, harmful substances accumulate in it. The ice is allowed to melt a little, heated, and water is poured over the fat plant with melt water.
Optimal temperature and humidity in the room
The determining factor in deciding how often to water the fat plant is its growing conditions. So, in the summer, when the container with the plant is on the balcony, in hot air, it will have to be watered more often due to the increased rate of soil drying.
The optimal temperature for active growth of a money tree is from 19 to 25 degrees Celsius. If the temperature exceeds this limit, the shoots of the money tree become too elongated and the rounded leaves become small. For the autumn period, the temperature can be reduced to 15 degrees; in winter, when the flower goes to winter, it is enough to maintain plus five degrees of heat. However, at lower temperatures the plant may die.
Crassula feels great in the fresh air
The success of the growth of new “coin” leaves is also affected by a sufficient level of lighting, otherwise the plant will begin to lose foliage and dry out. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the fat plant does not receive direct sunlight, otherwise burns will appear on the leaves. To avoid this situation, in summer you can lower the plant from the windowsill to the floor near the window, since it will be a little cooler there, but the optimal level of light will remain.
Trees like fresh air, so pots with them can be placed on the balcony or in the garden in the shade of the tree crown.
Improper watering and plant diseases
According to Feng Shui, money tree ailments symbolize troubles with finances. In fact, plant disease indicates improper watering, violation of maintenance conditions or pest damage.
Sick tree
You can determine the cause of a bad condition by appearance:
- A light white coating on the foliage appears after the plant is transplanted. This is a natural process of getting rid of excess cells and does not require treatment.
- Large brown spots of a round shape are a sign of fungus. It appears due to waterlogging or too low temperatures. This disease can only be cured in the initial stages with the help of fungicides. Irregular brown-yellow spots appear when wet leaves are exposed to sunlight.
- White dots abundantly covering the leaves indicate excessive spraying and watering. It may also mean that the air humidity is too high for the plant.
- Green pimples occur for two reasons - excess water and damage to the thyroid gland.
- Red-purple foliage is a sign of unbalanced soil, lack of fresh air and prolonged contact with direct sunlight. When feeding a tree, use fertilizers only for succulents and cacti.
- Yellowed, flaccid leaves appear due to the heat.
- Small leaves mean lack of nutrition and light. It is recommended to fertilize and change its location to a more illuminated one.
- Poor lighting, low temperatures and excess water lead to thinning of the stems.
Leaf fall can occur for several reasons. Every few years, the money tree sheds its leaves before winter. This is an absolutely natural process. In other cases, the loss of green cover symbolizes errors in watering.
How to water a money tree after replanting
The need to replant a money tree arises when the roots of the plant become so long and branched that they entwine the entire earthen lump in the pot. Such plants are moved to a larger diameter vessel. Young crassulas should be planted in a new location every year, and older plants should be planted once every three to four years. You should not make a common mistake for beginning plant growers - immediately plant a young flower in a large pot. Indeed, in such a container after each watering, moisture will accumulate due to slow drying, which will significantly increase the risk of rotting of the root system and death of the plant. Transplantation is best done in the spring, when active sap flow in the tree resumes.
It is important to follow the step-by-step watering schedule after transplanting the fat plant. The main rule is that it is better to give less moisture than to transfer it.
Something to remember! The money tree easily copes with drought, while waterlogging can destroy it.
After transplantation, watering is carried out in two ways:
- In case of emergency resuscitation (for example, after flooding) and damaged roots drying out in air, the plant should be watered very little and immediately after placing the rhizomes in the substrate;
- When planning a transplant, be sure to water the new “tenant” after a day or two. In this case, the soil mixture will settle a little; it should be filled to the required level and watered again (avoiding stagnation of water in the pan).
It is necessary to water after transplanting within a day or two.
Many houses have a Crassula money tree on their window. It is believed to bring good luck and financial well-being. In general, this plant is unpretentious; the main thing is to water it correctly and maintain the temperature regime. The number of waterings varies depending on the season: in the hot summer it is a couple of times a week, in the winter when the flower goes into hibernation, once a month is enough. If these conditions are met, the tree will delight its owners with lush “fleshy” foliage in the form of coins.
What and when to feed Crassula
Feeding of the fat woman is carried out from mid-spring to the end of summer. At this time, intensive vegetation is underway, the plant needs additional nutrition. Fertilizers for indoor succulents and cacti are used for feeding. The most popular are liquid formulations that can be diluted with water and applied to the soil when watering. Cooking instructions are on the package.
Feed the plant every 2 weeks. You need to water the tree with the prepared mixture.
Watering is carried out in moist soil. To do this, water the plant, and after 3-4 hours, water it with the prepared nutrient composition. After watering, the soil has time to be well saturated with water. When fertilizers fall into moist soil, they are quickly absorbed by the plant. Otherwise, when fertilizers are applied to dry soil, they get on the roots and can cause burns.
What determines the frequency of watering?
Crassula is a succulent plant and survives well in the arid climate of its natural habitat - on the African continent.
The money tree accumulates moisture in the tissues of thick, fleshy leaves, gradually consuming it, which allows it to go without watering for a long time.
Indoor specimens have retained this feature of vital activity - frequent moistening of the substrate is not only useless, but can also harm Crassula.
Several factors influence the fat woman's need for water:
- Degree of illumination. Plants that are exposed to sunlight for several hours a day will use more moisture than plants growing away from a window.
- Availability of heating appliances. The substrate will dry out faster if the pot is standing next to a radiator or convector.
- Transplant timing. Recently transplanted fat plants do not need frequent watering, since the roots are just beginning to develop the earthen ball, and the plant itself consumes less water. Specimens growing in the same substrate for a long time require more frequent watering.
- Microclimate of the room. Temperature and humidity also directly affect the rate at which a plant absorbs water - in hot and dry air, liquid is consumed faster than in cooler conditions.
- Season. As a rule, from mid-autumn and throughout winter, the fat woman “drinks” less water as it enters a dormant period. In spring and summer, watering is resumed.
It is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of maintaining a money tree - this will help to avoid basic watering mistakes and guarantee the health of the indoor flower.
Problems that arise when watering Crassula at home
The catch is that this flower does not like waterlogging . Most likely, this will lead to rotting of the roots, and then the Money Tree will die. Remember: this plant thrives without a lot of water.
Cute jade plants. Photo used as illustration. Source: Yandex.Images
On the other hand, lack of moisture causes this Succulent from the Crassulaceae family to lose its leaves. At this time, the roots of the plant dry out and gradually die off.
Such difficulties are easily solved by using a pot with a drainage hole and the right soil, which easily allows a large amount of moisture to pass through and does not retain it. Read more about this in a specially prepared article about the best substrate for Crassula.
