Roots of the money tree: structure, features, diseases

There are more than 300 species of Crassula. The birthplace of the money tree is South Africa. Our most popular indoor plants are Crassula ovata and Crassula arborescens. Both species have fleshy, silver-gray, shiny, oval-shaped leaves. They produce many shoots and develop quickly into large, gnarled specimens with a huge crown and a height of up to 1 meter.

Crassula arborescens blooms, having reached the age of 10, with small pink or white flowers. According to Feng Shui, the plant attracts money to the house and helps improve the financial situation. That’s why they love to keep it not only at home, but also in offices.

Feng Shui pays great attention to the money tree - where to place the coins, what ribbon to tie, where to put it. The plant is unpretentious and does not require complex care. And yet it has its own characteristics. In order for it to develop well and bring good luck, it needs to be properly looked after.

The Crassula genus, to which Crassula belongs, includes a wide variety of plants. It even includes varieties for aquariums. The fat woman is quite unpretentious and easy to care for. Therefore, even a novice florist will not cause any trouble with the money tree.

Types of Crassula

The most common types of money trees are:

• oval Crassula (Crassula ovata);

• tree crassula (Crassula arborescens);

• crassula minor;

• Crassula Sunset;

• Crassula crescent;

• Crassula Alstonii;

• Crassula Campfire.

general characteristics

Crassula is one of the most famous and widespread succulents, which came to us from South Africa. It received the name “money tree” because of the characteristic shape of the leaves. Volumetric and round, they resemble coins. In nature, their main purpose is to store water. It is due to this that the fat woman is unpretentious and takes root well in arid regions.

The largest varieties reach 2 m, branch and grow a lush crown, but for this they require constant care. In nature, this is a flowering plant with a long flowering period - up to 3 months, but this is almost impossible to achieve in an apartment. But there is a downside: the absence of fragrant flowers and pollen makes the fat plant almost completely hypoallergenic.

Lighting and location

Crassula is a succulent. The plant should be located where it is light, even sunny, but not on the windowsill at noon. The leaves will turn red and then wither and fall off.

The fat woman also needs fresh air. In summer, the plant can be taken out into the garden or onto the balcony in a bright, but not sunny, place protected from rain. In winter, it is important to provide the money tree with coolness (10 degrees) and it is better to move it to the south side. When wintering is too warm, long, unsightly shoots are formed.

What is a flower

The money tree plant originated from Africa. It belongs to the genus of succulents and has thick, succulent leaves that are capable of storing moisture. This, in particular, helps it survive in the natural environment. Also, under natural conditions, the plant is capable of blooming, but this cannot be achieved when grown at home.

In nature it grows into a tall tree up to 4 meters. Care at home helps the flower grow up to 1-2 meters in height. Of course, lower than its “wild” counterpart, but still not bad for a houseplant.

Money tree watering mode

In summer, under indoor conditions, the soil in a pot with Crassula should be moderately moist. In the garden, the plant requires more watering. If it’s hot outside, at least 2 times a week; on cool days, once is enough. But keep in mind that the soil should never dry out. It is very important! Watering the plant in winter is enough 2 times a month.

Tips and rules for growing and caring for plants

Most often, flower growers grow the Ovata species of Crassula on their windowsills. An unpretentious money tree with a thick trunk and oval leaves does not require special maintenance conditions. It is enough to remember his love for sunlight, take into account the period of growth and rest. If you choose the right pot, type of soil and fertilizing, you can get natural home decor with ideal characteristics.

Soil and pot size

You can determine whether the soil is chosen correctly for a money tree by the condition of its leaves. If they are bright green in color with red tips, dense and fleshy, then the soil is doing an excellent job of its nutritional function. In order for the fat plant to grow strong and bloom, it needs to create all the conditions for this.

Only loose soil with plenty of sand and drainage is suitable for the money tree. The breathable structure will prevent fluid stagnation. After watering, excess moisture should go into the pan and not remain in the soil.

Plant growth depends on the quality of the soil. For an underdeveloped root system, a special composition consisting of several layers will be required. The bottom layer of 1 cm is laid out with pebbles and broken bricks. In the middle there is a soil mixture of soil, river sand, and humus. The top is covered with expanded clay.

The root system of the Crassula plant will develop well in a wide, shallow pot. The width should be at least 1.5 times the crown diameter. The container must be stable with a flat bottom to prevent the plant from overweighting and tipping over. The size of the money tree depends on the depth of the pot. If you plant it in a long flowerpot, it will stretch upward; in a low flowerpot, natural branching of the plant will occur.

To plant a money tree, you cannot use mixtures based on peat or moss. Such soil retains moisture for a long time, which will lead to rotting of the plant roots.

Temperature

The usual room temperature of 20-25° C is suitable for Crassula. The minimum threshold is 10° C, the maximum is 32° C. In summer, the pot can be taken out to the balcony or veranda. To lower the temperature, the fat plant can be moved to the floor. If the temperature goes beyond the comfortable limits for the plant, the flower goes into a state of complete freezing.

In winter, it is better to move the money tree to a cool place. The temperature should be maintained in the range of 14-16 ° C. The fat woman can winter on the loggia, on the northern windowsill. The condition of the plant must be constantly monitored in order to notice changes for the worse in time.

Air humidity

Coinwood does not require moisture control. Dry room air in summer does not harm it. The plant calmly sprouts shoots and grows leaves. Once a month it can be sprayed with a spray bottle or doused with water from the shower. In the latter case, it is necessary to cover the ground with polyethylene.

All types of succulents are accustomed to low humidity. Plants with high moisture requirements are not suitable for them as neighbors on the windowsill. Do-it-yourself removal of dust and dirt from the leaves should be done with a damp cloth.

Lighting

The ideal place for representatives of succulents is a windowsill. It is better if the windows face south, southeast. On the southern window, the plants will have to be shaded when the sun is at its zenith. The north side is not taboo for the Crassula. But, the money tree will begin to grow upward, branching will stop, and the stems will become weak and stop becoming woody.

For such plants, lighting plays the most significant role. With a lack of light, Crassula can completely stop growing, get sick and even die. In the summer, in addition to light, the plant has a need for fresh air. If it is not possible to take the pot outside, the room should be periodically ventilated, taking care of it without drafts.

Watering

The money tree categorically does not like excessive moisture. Excess moisture will lead to rotting of the roots, trunk, and branches. After which the plant will no longer be able to be saved. If the soil is constantly wet, fungal diseases will develop and the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.

Due to the constant accumulation of moisture in the leaves, excessive watering poses a greater danger to Crassula than its lack. Such a plant will delight those who constantly forget to water it with a lush and green crown. Crassula grows freely without water for a month. Recommended watering schedule: in summer - once a week, with the onset of cold weather - once every two weeks.

Feeding and fertilizer

The application of fertilizers is necessary for the plant at all stages of growth, especially after transplantation. Special fertilizer is included in the soil for certain types of plants. It is recommended to plant the money tree in a mixture of soils for succulents and ficus. As the nutrients originally contained in the soil become depleted, they will need to be replenished. The fertilizer that is suitable for the fat plant is the same as for cacti.

You need to start feeding in early spring. It is easy to determine the appropriate period. As soon as pairs of leaves appear, it means it’s time to increase the activity of the growing season. The soil is supplied with mineral fertilizers once a month. You can carry out the procedure more often, but then you need to reduce the amount of nutrients.

Fertilizers in granular form are applied to moist soil and mixed. This is done to avoid causing burns to the roots. The dry matter will break down slowly and will not reach the roots too quickly. Active feeding should not be prolonged.

Crown formation

Due to branching shoots and their strong growth during the growing season, the plant may lose its decorative appearance. The formation of the crown will help restore its former attractiveness. In addition to increasing decorativeness, pruning is carried out to improve color stability, simulate a strong trunk, and facilitate the care of succulents. There are several crown formation schemes:

1. To strengthen the central trunk. In young fat plants, branching shoots and foliage in the lower part are removed. At the time of applying fertilizer, all newly formed branches are removed from an aged tree.
2. Hanging shoots from the tops. The formation of a bonsai-type crown can be carried out after strengthening the trunk. Otherwise, the flimsy base may not withstand the load.
3. Low, compact bush. You can stop the stretching and add splendor and volume if you regularly tear off the leaves on the trunk. Temporarily stopping watering will help slow growth.
4. Spreading shrub. The money tree will increase in width if you constantly pinch the shoots at the top of the bush. Removing shoots from the apical buds will provoke branching of shoots from the axils below the cut.

Transfer

The best time to plant Crassula in new soil is the first half of March. During its development, the plant will more easily tolerate changing soil and pot. In summer and autumn, Crassula is replanted if absolutely necessary, if the container is not suitable in size, diseases or pests are detected.

According to the rules of replanting, all plants need to change the soil and pot every year. Flowers 3 years old and older should change their habitat once every two years. Frequent transplants of the fat woman are contraindicated. Each event is stressful for the tree and requires a lot of time to adapt and recover. Excessive movements can damage fragile leaves. To make money, an adult plant is replanted according to the following step-by-step scheme:

• Clean the new pot, prepare a mixture of soil, drainage, humus;
• Place crushed stone and broken bricks on the bottom of the flowerpot;
• Cover the substrate with fresh soil;
• Make small holes around the trunk, loosen the tree and remove it from the old pot;
• The soil at the base is not removed; only dead, rotten roots can be removed;
• Lubricate the cut areas with wood ash;
• Leave the plant to dry for several hours;
• Place the money tree in the center of the new container;
• Add soil to the root collar and water generously;

If, during the process of transplanting a fat plant, rotten roots are discovered, for the purpose of resuscitation, the plant is planted in a mixture of sand, turf and humus.

Bloom

Seeing a money tree strewn with white inflorescences is a great success. This plant does not often please with color, since it grows slowly and requires special conditions for the appearance of buds. If this event occurs, then the owner of the Crassula will be pleased with small white flowers, similar to stars, that appear on some or all of the young shoots.

Crassula can bloom at any time of the year. More often this happens in autumn or winter. If this moment does not occur for a long time, the reasons for the lack of bud formation should be found. The money tree will not bloom under the influence of the following factors:

• The plant is constantly exposed to light;
• The soil is dense and acidic;
• The earth is constantly moist;
• Stems and leaves are damaged by pests;
• The bush is affected by fungus and other diseases.

Feeding the money tree

It is better to feed once or twice a month with fertilizer for cacti and succulents. At other times - only once a month, and the fertilizer must be diluted 2 times. Fertilizer should be applied only to moist soil, that is, after watering.

Money tree propagation

The easiest way is to propagate by dividing the bush and apical cuttings, but you can also use seeds. Apical cuttings easily form roots, especially in a mixture of peat and sand. Before planting, the cut site must be dried for a couple of days. Cuttings can also be placed in water to form roots. To stimulate root growth, charcoal is added to the water.

Then the cuttings are planted in small pots with leaf and turf soil and sand added in equal proportions. Small plants should be kept at 16-18 degrees, watered once a day.

Money tree blossom

Crassula flowering is a rare occurrence. One of the reasons for its absence is the lack of lighting. It blooms with beautiful white flowers (during the period of active growth) with a characteristic suffocatingly sweet smell.

When should you replant a succulent?

It is recommended to transplant a healthy money tree in the spring when its active growth begins. It is not advisable to replant the plant in autumn or winter during the dormant period of Crassula. However, there are exceptions when you can replant a money tree in the fall.

• when there is rotting of the roots;
• if the pot is cracked;
• when the plant constantly turns the container over;
• if the soil is not suitable for a money tree or there is no drainage layer;
• in cases where the soil has turned sour or formed a lump.

Interesting fact! The best day of the week for transplantation is Wednesday. According to the lunar calendar, it is more correct to transplant the crassula on the second lunar day.

Crown formation

In order for the fat woman to look like a tree, it must be shaped. To do this, overgrown branches are pruned, but pruning must be done so that four leaves remain on the branch.

The crown should be lush and beautiful. To do this, you need to pinch the top so that the plant grows wider. And also do not forget to periodically turn the plant in different directions towards the light.

Planting container

Before planting, you should prepare a new pot. A money tree pot must meet certain criteria:

1. The container should be heavy enough and match the size of the plant so that it does not tip over under the weight of the flower. It is preferable to choose clay or ceramic pots. Containers made from such materials are characterized by increased strength.
2. The root system of the Crassula is superficial, so there is no need to choose a container that is too deep. The soil in it may turn sour. Therefore, it is better to purchase a stable and shallow pot. However, a completely flat container is not suitable for a money tree.
3. The new pot should not be narrow. The plant should be comfortable inside, and since the root system grows rapidly, it is better to choose a container with a wide bottom. The wide container is more stable and will prevent the Crassula from falling.

Parasite control and prevention

The greatest danger to the money tree are parasites - scale insects, spider mites, felt insects (mealybugs).

There are different ways to combat parasites:

• As a result of an attack by scale insects, the leaves are primarily affected. Brown and yellow spots appear on them. A soap solution of laundry soap or the preparations Fitoverm, Fufanon can save you from this scourge;
• Spider mites form cobwebs on leaves and stems. The plant is treated in the same way as for scale insects;

• A solution of laundry soap can help against mealybugs. And if there is no result, then insecticides are used. You can try alcohol applied with a cotton swab. Insecticide treatment is carried out in the form of spraying. This not only kills the insects that received the poison, but also those that still remain after spraying. The soil also needs to be well saturated with insecticide. The procedure is repeated 3 times with breaks of 10-15 days;
• a diseased plant that has been attacked by insects must be removed from the pot, washed thoroughly under running 50-degree hot water, then completely immersed in a solution of systemic pesticides for several hours. After this, the completely dried plant is transplanted into new, uninfected soil. Don't forget to add drainage to the pot.

In what cases is a transplant needed?

It is not recommended to replant Crassula frequently, since the root system of the money tree is poorly defined, the roots are small and fragile, and can be damaged during replanting. Therefore, it is better not to expose an adult tree to such stress unless necessary. It is recommended to replant young plants once a year. Specimens that are already three years old can be replanted once every four to five years.

Sometimes a forced transplant is needed.

1. The need for replanting may appear if the root system has grown very large and the plant has become cramped in the old pot.
2. A sick or infected succulent should also be replanted. When transplanting such a flower, you should pay attention to the diseased parts of the plant. Some things will need to be cut, some things will need to be treated with a special product.
3. Replanting is necessary when the succulent needs to be placed in more suitable soil. If the soil is not suitable for the succulent, the flower may experience discomfort and even get sick.

Some gardeners transplant the fat plant immediately after purchasing it in the store. It is not advisable to do this. Replanting is always stressful for a green pet. After purchasing, you should let the fat plant get used to the new conditions, and also observe the succulent. If a flower is infected with parasites (aphids, scale insects or spider mites), you must first remove the pests from the tree, and only then plant the plant in a new pot.

The best time for a chemical attack

The best time for chemical treatment with poisons is the evening in warm, cloudy weather. In the following days, it is necessary to protect the plant from the sun so that it does not get burned. Recommended chemicals are Fufanon or Karbofos, preparations based on Imidacloprid, Actellik, Sherpa, Apollo, Decis.

If mealybugs have appeared recently, you can use a garlic tincture: ¼ part finely chopped garlic and ¾ part 70% alcohol. Soak a cotton swab in this tincture and remove the spider web with the mealybug. After this, carefully treat the affected area. The same can be done using pure alcohol.

Money tree: care at home

Although this succulent is unpretentious, mandatory rules of care still exist:

• avoid drafts;
• excess moisture is dangerous, which can cause the roots and base of the trunk to rot;
• if the leaves are limp, then the plant, on the contrary, lacks moisture;

• Do not water with cold water, otherwise the leaves of the fat plant may fall off;
• direct sunlight on the base of the money tree is strictly unacceptable;

• wipe the leaves periodically with a damp cloth - then they will retain their healing properties;
• when transplanting into another pot, for prevention, treat the roots with a weak solution of potassium permanganate;

• you need to replant the fat plant in a reliable pot, since the plant itself is quite heavy. Otherwise, during the process of growth, it may change the center of gravity, and the pot will fall and the tree will break. Why are you so upset?

Diseases and pests

The main factors leading to diseases and pests in Crassula are dampness and drafts. The reason for the development of all negative events is improper care. The most dangerous period for fatworts is winter. Ailments appear at this time due to lack of lighting, temperature fluctuations, and the operation of heating devices. With insufficient attention, the plant may suffer from the following diseases and pests:

• Fungal diseases. Defeat by spores occurs in the cold season. Gray, wet rot appears as brown spots, constantly increases and spreads over the entire leaf. Treatment consists of transplanting the plant into disinfected soil and removing diseased shoots. Fungal spores will be eliminated by reducing the amount of watering, ventilating the room, and disinfecting sections with a solution of potassium permanganate.
• Bacterial diseases. Externally they resemble a fungus. Such diseases are treated with fungicides. Then it is necessary to spray with products based on penicillin and gentamicin so that the leaves do not begin to fall off.
• Shield. Female insects attach themselves to leaves and stems and remain motionless. All affected areas must be smeared with kerosene and pests must be removed manually. Then the entire fatty must be treated with a solution of laundry soap and tobacco.
• Spider mite. The appearance of an insect is indicated by a silvery coating on the stems and leaves. Inaction leads to yellowing of the plate and its death. A sharp rise in humidity levels will help remove the pest. The tick does not live in such conditions. The money tree should be sprayed generously with water and placed in a plastic bag.
• Mealyworm. It lives in the axils of leaves, feeding on their juice and plant tissues. This leads to a weakening of the fat woman’s immunity and shedding of leaves. Remove the insect with a stream of water. The pest's habitats are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in garlic infusion.
• Root mealybug. The pest can only be detected when the plant is replanted. The roots will be covered with growths, and insect movements will be noticeable. Until then, the reason for the deterioration of the fat woman’s condition will be unknown. The worms are removed under warm running water and treated with pesticides.

Benefits of the money tree

Whether the tree will attract money to the house or not is another question. But what has been scientifically proven is its benefits for human well-being and health:

• the plant purifies the air in the room;
• relieves nervous tension;
• destroys pathogenic formations, thereby improving the microflora of the room.

Medicine on the windowsill

Not everyone knows that the fat plant is no less useful for its antiviral, bactericidal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and regenerating properties than the well-known aloe. The juice of the plant heals abscesses, wounds, and cuts. It is enough to moisten gauze with it and apply it to the affected skin, you will feel the effect immediately. For medicines, it is important to take the upper leaves, from the crown.

Crassula helps with:

• sore throat, tonsillitis;
• inflammation of the gums;
• arthritis, arthrosis, gout;
• colitis;
• insect bites;
• thrombophlebitis and varicose veins;
• hemorrhoids;
• ulcers and gastritis;
• calluses.

Crassula juice also has an analgesic effect. However, we must remember that it also contains toxic substances. This is an arsenic compound, so you need to be very careful, especially for those who take the juice internally.

For medicinal purposes, it is important to use only freshly squeezed juice. For example, for joint pain (gout, arthritis), it should be applied to the sore spot with a cotton swab. This will reduce pain and relieve swelling.

Those with ulcers and those with gastritis are recommended to chew 2 leaves in the morning, an hour before breakfast. A tincture of this plant in vodka or alcohol will help with inflammation of the trigeminal or facial nerve. A mixture of juice and Vaseline is a cure for hemorrhoids. This emulsion is applied to a cotton swab and applied to the hemorrhoidal lump 3 times a day.

In addition, you can make a paste of 5 leaves and apply it as a compress to cuts, wounds, bruises, bites - healing will happen literally before your eyes. It is also an excellent aid in the treatment of herpes, eczema, lichen, skin allergies and even psoriasis.

Botanical description

Most species of Crassula are perennial plants with pronounced properties of succulents (they can accumulate water and nutrients not only in the roots, but in the trunk and leaves).

The root system of the plant is branched, but covers only the upper layers of the soil. Crassula can do without water for a long time, however, when the soil is sufficiently damp, the root shoots actively consume all the moisture from it, accumulating it in the trunk and leaves of the plants.

The leaves of Crassula are usually oblong, round in shape, located oppositely along the length of the trunk and shoots. They are fleshy and have the ability to retain moisture and microelements in their tissues for a long time (even better than the root or trunk). The leaf color of most varieties is dark green, but light green, pale gray, silver and even red are found. Sometimes the leaves of some varieties have two colors: for example, the border is red, and the main plate is classic green. The size of the plates most often does not exceed 5 cm, but there are species with leaves more than 10 cm in length and 4-5 cm in width.

The Crassula bush can grow up to 3-4 m in height. However, decorative species for indoor cultivation are usually much smaller (15-20 cm).

IMPORTANT! Crassula is known as a poisonous plant. The thing is that in the wild it accumulates a lot of arsenic in its leaves, drawing it from the soil. Indoor varieties are, of course, less harmful, since limited amounts of soil usually contain little arsenic. True, they can also cause allergic reactions or mild poisoning if the juice gets into the mouth or mucous membranes of a person.

The flowers of the plant are less often single, and more often collected in small racemes. In color there are white, yellow, and very rarely red and blue flowers. It is extremely difficult to achieve flowering at home.

Crassula flowering

Money tree in the photo

This is what a wonderful and useful plant Crassula is. It can not only become a wonderful element of the decor of your room, but also attract good luck in financial matters, and most importantly, help your health. Therefore, the money tree must certainly be near you!

Conclusion

Crassula or money tree is an unpretentious plant that is perfectly adapted to growing indoors. Perhaps it has many other advantageous points: it is very easy to care for, today there are a large number of varieties that are very different in appearance, and finally, legends are associated with it about attracting success and financial well-being to the owner.

Perhaps all of the above are the main qualities for which so many people want to keep a money tree in their home. In fact, they certainly won’t have any more inconveniences associated with care, but a beautiful flower will appear in the house and with it positive energy to attract wealth (after all, entire generations of Chinese could not have been wrong, right?).