Caring for the money tree at home, reproduction and transplantation
One of the most popular houseplants is the money tree, also known as Crassula or Crassula. It comes from the southern and southwestern regions of Africa. Crassula has gained wide popularity due to its spectacular appearance, unpretentiousness, ability to attract well-being and wealth into the house, as well as many useful properties. Consider what caring for a money tree at home should be.
Description of the plant
The genus Crassula belongs to the Tolstyankov family and includes many species of annual and perennial succulents. Its name comes from the Latin word crassus, which literally means "thick". In total, this genus has from three to five hundred varieties of plants, differing in size, external data and lifespan.
The main characteristics of most species of this plant are herbaceous stems (erect or creeping). However, there are also tree crassulas, which have strong fleshy or woody trunks.
Perennials are the most common, but some of the genus are annuals.
The leaves of the money tree or crassula are compact in size, as well as oval, rounded or teardrop-shaped with a juicy, fleshy structure. They have a slight waxy coating on the surface. They are yellowish, greenish or bluish in color. In the sun, the leaves of the plant appear cherry or reddish.
Beneficial Features
In addition to its spectacular appearance, the money tree has useful properties that beginning amateur flower growers should know about. The plant is characterized by positive energy, due to which a favorable microclimate is provided in the room. Crassula acts as a filter that cleans and disinfects the air in the room. The money tree is rich in phytoncides which have antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
From the fleshy leaves of the plant, juice is obtained, which is widely used for medicinal purposes:
- For arthritis, osteoarthritis and other joint diseases, rub affected areas before bedtime.
- For bruises, cuts, abrasions, insect bites and herpes, lotions from crushed leaves in a boiled state help - they are wrapped in a sterile bandage and tied to the lesions for four hours.
- With calluses and corns, a sheet of jerky is taken, cleaned of the film and attached to the affected area of the foot with the help of a medical bandage.
- With angina, as well as inflammatory gum disease, freshly squeezed crassula juice is used for rinsing. To prepare the medicinal solution, take one part of the juice and five parts of warm boiled water.
It is important to consider that due to the arsenic content in various parts of the money tree, it is strictly forbidden to consume the plant indoors in any form.
Kinds
You should get to know the representatives of the creeping and tree-like varieties of the Crassula plant better.
In the shape of a tree
This category includes these varieties.
Crassula oval (or ovoid)
Crassula ovale, also known as ovoid, is the most famous and common member of the tree-like jerky. Under natural conditions, the height of this plant reaches three meters, and when grown in a room, it is twice as low. The plant is adapted to arid climates thanks to its swollen root system, as well as succulent leaves and stems that can retain moisture for a long time. Grows well in shady areas. Crassula ovale is an undemanding plant for special maintenance conditions.
fat woman tree
This type of money tree is characterized by a bare trunk and branches. The leaves have a classic ovoid shape, as well as a dense fleshy structure. The panicle-shaped inflorescences of the plant are characterized by a white or pale pink color. In shady conditions, the tree fat woman feels uncomfortable.
silver crassula (purslane)
The plant is silver crassula, also called purslane, which in many ways resembles the two varieties described above. But it is smaller in size.
crawling
Creeping species include the following.
Lycra (mossy)
The plow-shaped crassula is one of the most unusual representatives of this family. She has no trunk at all. Instead, there are many erect stems covered with triangular-oval, small-sized, scaly-shaped leaves. This variety has erect shoots, which, when they reach a considerable height, begin to hang down gently. Because of this characteristic, Lymphoid Crassula is often used as an ampelous plant as well as a ground cover plant. Flowering occurs extremely rarely and only in a state of absolute rest.
Pseudo-blocks
This look is similar in appearance to the previous one except for a few quirks. The stems, which look like thorns, point in different directions. And the leaves are less pronounced.
Milky
Milky bastard is an ampelous plant, which when mature forms a shrub with a diameter of up to 60 centimeters. This variety has brown stems and pale green leaves that are wide at the base and pointed at the tips. There are white dots on the edges of the leaves - it is because of them that this type of crassula is called milky. Its flowering period begins in January and lasts until March.
Point
Crassula point is very attractive from a decorative point of view. It is characterized by profusely branching shoots and leaves with an unusual color. They have numerous red dots on the outer surface and red-purple on the inner surface. There are thin transparent cilia along the edges of each leaflet.
tetrahedral
This variety is distinguished by an unusual punch-shaped leaf shape. The rest of the signs are similar to other members of the Crassula family.
Cooper's
Cooper's Fat Woman is a herbaceous succulent that grows on sandy soils.This variety is resistant to lack of natural light. The bush is characterized by numerous fine roots and the presence of filamentous shoots. The leaves of the plant have elongated leaves, pointed at the edges. An important feature of Crassula Cooper is the beautiful white and pink flowers that look like bells collected in umbrellas.
Grow and care
Before buying a plant, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for its cultivation.
Planting
For planting crassula at home, a shoot or leaf can be used. In the first case, a cutting with a length of seven to ten centimeters is taken and rooted in water. First of all, it must be cleaned of leaves - about three centimeters at the bottom. When a root appears after a week, the process should be immediately planted in the ground. The container for the plant should be quite low and wide. It can be clay, ceramic or plastic. At its bottom, it is imperative to pour a draining layer. In two weeks, the planted fat woman will start the roots.
When using a plant leaf, it must also be rooted beforehand by keeping it in water for several days. Then plant it in the ground.
Soil requirements
It is recommended to use special potting soil designed for succulents. In addition, one part of clean river sand should be added to three parts of soil.
You can prepare a suitable soil yourself by mixing together:
- 3 parts of peat land;
- 1 leafy lot;
- 1 part coarse river sand;
- 1 part of humus;
- 1 part agroperlite or fine gravel.
Additionally, a small amount of wood ash should be added. It is recommended to add a little activated carbon or charcoal to the bottom of the pot with the drainage layer - this will protect the plant from fungal infections.It is important to consider that acidic soils are unfavorable to the money tree. In such cases, the composition can be balanced by adding a small amount of dolomite flour.
top dresser
It is necessary to feed the money tree only from the end of May to mid-August, when the leaves and stems are actively growing. Liquid must be used for this. fertilizer for succulents and cacti, which are introduced shortly after watering.
Lighting
Most types of money trees need plenty of active lighting. Therefore, the most successful place in the room for them will be a window sill on the south, southeast or southwest side, as well as the area near it. If all the windows in the apartment are located only in the northern direction, then you should also use special phyto-lamps or ordinary fluorescent lamps.
It's also important to keep in mind that Crassula varieties with light green leaves can turn brown when exposed to too much sun. In such cases, it is imperative to shade the window.
watering
The frequency and regularity of watering the money tree depends on the air temperature and the season:
- on hot summer days - twice a week;
- in winter - once a month;
- at an average air temperature - once a week.
Sprinkle with warm boiled water in the evening. Excess moisture in the soil should not be allowed, since the root system of the fat woman is prone to rotting. A prerequisite is the presence of drainage holes in the container with the money tree.
Humidity
This plant species tolerates a lack of moisture well, so it does not need frequent spraying.Once every three months, you can arrange a hot shower for the money tree, having previously covered the ground with plastic wrap.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for storing Crassula is + 22- + 28 degrees Celsius. In the summer, it is advisable to take the flower out to the balcony, and in a private house - to the veranda or garden.
The calendar
From late autumn to late winter, the fat woman should enjoy a lower temperature, up to 16 degrees. Therefore, the pot with the plant should be placed as far as possible from the devices of heating. During this period, it is very easy to care for the money tree - it is enough to water it once a month. It does not need fertilizer.
Support
Under the influence of certain factors, the trunk of the money tree can weaken and deform. In such cases, you need to tie it to a metal or solid wooden stand for some time.
Rejuvenation
It happens that over time the fat woman loses its decorative appeal. Especially if his age is 15-20 years old. In such situations, the plant should be transplanted or propagated using cuttings.
How to transplant
Young Crassulae need an annual transplant. For mature plants, this should be done every two or three years. The most favorable time for this is mid-spring or autumn. To transplant a money tree safely, you must:
- Carefully remove it from the pan.
- Carefully examine the root system.
- If excessively long, damaged or broken roots are found, cut them carefully using a sterile knife.
- Immediately treat fresh sections with crushed activated carbon to protect against contamination.
- To allow the sections to dry out and tighten up, keep the plant in the fresh air for several hours.
- In the absence of any damage to the roots, leave the clod of earth in its original state and immediately move the bastard to a new pot with a previously laid out drainage layer on the bottom and a small amount of substrate.
- Carefully cover the roots of the plant with soil so that no voids remain in the container. In this case, you should not deepen the root collar - it is enough to lightly compact the soil, then water.
To transplant large, mature plants with thick trunks and a heavy, massive crown, you need to choose strong ceramic pots suitable for size. Put a few stones at the bottom of the container - this will make it stable and prevent the fat woman from accidentally falling. Also attach the trunk to the support.
How to prune correctly
In order for the money tree to have an attractive decorative appearance, pruning should be done at a young age. When you reach twenty centimeters in height at the top, you need to pinch two leaves. Connection will then begin.
Crown formation
When the Crassula reaches a sufficient size, it should not be transplanted into a more spacious container. Instead, you should change the top layer of the substrate in the same pot, repeating the procedure every year. The formation of the crown should be started from the first months of the life of the plant. At this time, its shoots and trunk have a grayish-green tint and a soft structure, thanks to which there are no traces after the cuts. To achieve the desired height, you need to remove excess processes on the sides. Then you need to cut off the top with two leaves for the growth of new shoots. It is important to ensure that the number of leaves on each of the branches does not exceed four pieces.
Main issues
Caring for a money tree at home is not difficult, but in some cases difficulties arise and it is important to be aware of them.
pests
The fat woman rarely encounters attacks of harmful insects, since her leaves contain arsenic, which is destructive for them. However, due to violation of the conditions of detention (in particular, temperature, humidity and lighting), the money tree becomes vulnerable to damage.
Spider
The arachnid class spider mite is one of the most widespread plant pests. Its presence is evidenced by a thin cobweb that stretches from the stem to the leaves of the money tree. To get rid of this pest, you need to carefully treat all parts of the plant with an infusion of tobacco or garlic, or with medical alcohol, moistening a cotton swab.
cochineal
Mealybug leaves an unpleasant bloom in the sinuses of the leaves, reminiscent of dirty cotton. If the affected plant is not tall, it is enough to rinse it under the shower in the bathroom. Garlic and horsetail infusions are also known to be effective in treating crassula leaves.
Shield
Cochineal is a representative of mealybugs and hemipterans. Its appearance on the plant is highlighted by yellowish or brownish tubercles on the leaves. In such cases, the leaves should be thoroughly wiped with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol or tobacco or strong garlic broth.
Root and trunk base rot
The main reasons for the decay of the rhizome and trunk of the fat woman are:
- growing in the wrong type of soil;
- frequent replacement of the floor;
- lack of high-quality drainage under the soil or drainage holes in the pot;
- frequent and abundant watering.
In these cases, the trunk becomes weak and limp, the roots become slippery and smell musty, and the leaves turn yellow and wither.
To solve the problem, you must:
- Carefully pull the plant out of the ground.
- Naturally dry the trunk and roots.
- Transplant into new favorable soil.
In case of abundant lesions, it is necessary to cut off all the rotten parts and treat the cuts with activated carbon powder.
wilted leaves
Sluggish and weak leaves of the money tree may indicate a violation of the rules of watering or a lack of drainage.
leaf fall
Scattering of plant leaves indicates unfavorable growing conditions:
- lack of lighting;
- an abundance of moisture;
- prolonged and often repeated drying of the earthy coma;
- water under the tap with cold water;
- excessive feeding.
how it blooms
In indoor conditions, Crassula does not bloom often, for the first time when it reaches the age of ten. The flowers of the plant are white or light pinkish, in shape they resemble miniature stars. Throughout the flowering period, they exude an intense sweet aroma.
the reproduction
Crassula can be spread in several ways.
Cuttings
The most practical way to propagate a money tree is by using cuttings.
You must do the following:
- Carefully cut the plant about ten centimeters long.
- Treat the cut with activated charcoal or charcoal powder to protect it from infection.
- Air dry the slice.
- Place in a slightly damp substrate to a depth of 5 centimeters.
Seeds
The money tree is also propagated by seed, but this method is more time-consuming and labor-intensive.Crassula seeds are recommended to be sown in February using a special substrate for plants of the succulent family. At the bottom of the container you need to lay out a layer of soil and evenly distribute the seeds on it. Then cover with a lid. When sprouts appear after two to three weeks, move the container to a warm, lighted place. When the seedlings of the plant have hardened, you can transplant them into separate pots.
Indoor use
The money tree is a spectacular interior decoration. It harmoniously fits into interior green spaces in combination with palm trees and figs. For this plant, it is necessary to choose a well-lit place, but protected from direct sunlight.
Answers to questions
Novice florists are interested in the details of growing a plant.
When will bloom
In most cases, homemade crassulas first bloom at a fairly old age - about ten years.
how many lives
The life of a money tree depends on compliance with the rules of care. The average age of this plant is 20-30 years.
What to do if the tree withers
When the first signs of crassula wilt appear, you need to revise the watering and feeding regime, check the condition of the root system and, if necessary, transplant the plant.
Is this plant poisonous or not
Crassula contains small amounts of arsenic compounds.
Medical properties
The juice of the Crassula plant has valuable properties. It is used topically for insect bites, bruises and scratches. For sore throats and gum lesions, it is used as a rinse.
You have to go on a business trip for a month: how to leave
Crassula is a drought-resistant plant, so it can survive a month without watering.The main thing is to remove the plant from direct sunlight before going on a business trip.
Why can't I form a round crown?
To form a neat round crown of the money tree, it is necessary to pinch the upper buds of the lateral processes of the plant. It will grow sideways and upwards at the same time.