Crassula ovate has become one of the most common succulents on windowsills in Russia. She is better known by her middle name - money tree. The plant received it for the similarity of its small round leaves to coins.
Caring for crassula at home is quite simple:
- it does not require close attention;
- tolerates drought calmly;
Healthy Crassula tree
- easy to reproduce;
- slow growth does not imply frequent replanting.
However, novice gardeners with excessive care and lack of experience can destroy the plant or significantly damage it.
Why does the barrel break?
The money tree is very powerful and heavy. The trunk must be able to withstand heavy leaves and branches. The root system of the plant is superficial, so at the slightest tilt the Crassula runs the risk of falling out of the pot.
Important! Proper watering and crown formation will save the trunk from breaking.
It often happens that a tree grows for several years, its branches and trunk develop successfully, it pleases with its appearance, and at one moment it breaks for no apparent reason. The main culprits of the breakdown may be:
- improperly formed crown;
- excessive watering;
- one-sided position in relation to sunlight.
The money tree grows actively in the spring and summer, its branches grow quickly and uncontrollably, unlike the trunk. If the crown is not formed in time, it will break the tree under the influence of its weight or tear it out of the pot, since the superficial root system is not able to support the entire plant, like the one that develops in an adult oak with a huge crown. Therefore, every autumn you should shape the plant, measuring the strength and height of the trunk with the length of the branches.
Broken rotten trunk
Caring for crassula at home does not require constantly wet soil. This desert plant easily survives drought, accumulating nutrients in its fleshy leaves. Its roots are sensitive to waterlogging. Constantly present moisture in the soil can provoke fungal infection of the roots or root rot, which rapidly spreads throughout the underground part of the plant, causing it to begin to disappear. Therefore, each subsequent watering can be carried out only after the soil has completely dried.
How to save a money tree from falling if watering is carried out in compliance with the main conditions, and the crown is pruned, but it still tilts? You need to regularly turn the pot on the window, first one side, then the other. When the flower is positioned one-sidedly in relation to the sun, the foliage stretches from all sides towards the window, shifting the center of gravity.
If Crassula shriveled and became saggy
When you notice your Money Tree withering, pay attention to the reasons mentioned above. Once you find the problem, start fixing it. Depending on the cause of the soft leaves, there are many things you can do to stop the wilting.
- If the reason is watering, adjust it. As a rule, people over-water the flower, but if after watering the leaves straighten, there was not enough moisture. In addition, avoid getting moisture on the leaves, this will soften the plant tissue and harm the plant.
- If the wilt is caused by sunburn, the surface of the leaves will be hard in places. In this case, simply move the pot to another place. Remember, Crassula can tolerate a small amount of direct sunlight. If sagging occurs in winter, it is worth installing artificial lighting.
- Sometimes leaf lethargy indicates the presence of a disease. Look for areas where rot is visible, then cut out those areas using clean, sharp scissors or a knife.
Additional support
It happens that the Money Tree grows to indecent sizes and becomes too heavy. You can solve this problem by trimming or staking. Use a wooden stake to help the plant stand upright.
How long does a money tree grow?
Pilea peperomyoid or Chinese money tree
On average, Crassula trees gain 6 cm in height per year. It can increase the growth of green mass in width by approximately the same amount. With enough light and timely watering, the plant will not slow down its growth with age, thanks to which it will be possible over time to form a beautiful lush crown on a thick, woody trunk.
The maximum lifespan of a tree under natural conditions is close to 80 years. You can grow one specimen in a pot for almost 50 years, if you do not over-moisten the soil and control the growth of branches.
Features of caring for a fat woman
In order for the plant to feel great, be healthy and beautiful, so that its leaves are densely arranged, large in size and have the correct shape and thickness, it must be conscientiously cared for and maintained in optimal living conditions.
Wilting leaves usually indicate that something is wrong and the Crassula needs help.
It is important to provide the plant with proper and complete lighting by placing it near a window on the southwest side, shielding it from direct sun with a tulle curtain. In winter, the fat plant may require lighting.
The correct temperature must also be maintained . In summer, its limits are about 23 - 27°C; if it rises higher, the plant may overheat, which will not benefit it at all. In winter, it is recommended to maintain the temperature within 18 – 20°C, and also ensure that it does not fall below +15°C.
The plant should be watered once a week with a small amount of warm water , replacing watering once a month with fertilizers diluted in water. In winter, watering should be reduced to once every 2 weeks, and fertilizers should be applied once every 2 months.
What does money tree cure?
Money Tree - scientific name and where it grows
The benefits of having a money tree in the house are not limited to the beneficial qualities of the composition of the leaf juice. Many people get it only because, according to Japanese belief, the presence of this plant in the home ensures the financial well-being of the owners. There are even legends about how rich people, wanting to further increase their existing wealth, started a money tree. But due to neglect, the plant died, taking with it the success and prosperity of the busy rich, turning them into beggars.
A plant that attracts wealth
From a medical point of view, Crassula foliage can help treat certain diseases. The arsenic contained in the juice is present in each leaf in sufficiently large quantities that can be used to prepare an antimicrobial solution used as a rinse. They wash shallow wounds and abrasions, preventing bacterial infection.
In small doses, adding fatty juice to drinking water can help heal ulcers in the digestive system.
Attention! Ingestion of the juice of a plant containing arsenic is possible only under the supervision and with the permission of the attending physician.
The composition of the leaf juice of Crassula is close in its chemical characteristics to drugs that help fight certain types of oncology. It is worth keeping in mind that its uncontrolled independent use can lead to irreversible negative consequences.
The main plant problems and their solutions
Crassula is a fairly healthy plant that requires minimal attention and has strong immunity. However, diseases can also plague Crassula; most often, they are the result of improper care or keeping the flower in unsuitable conditions.
But if the owner promptly pays attention to the ailment of his ward, then it is possible to revive the flower. Therefore, it is better for the gardener to know in advance how to save the fat plant in case of certain diseases.
Yellowing of the plant and loss of leaves
This succulent problem can be called the most common; often the money tree begins to turn yellow and lose its foliage. There are several reasons for this:
- improper watering - cold water is contraindicated for the plant, it should be settled, at room temperature;
- the difference between the temperature of the soil and the air - being in the cold and damp is another reason why the fat plant begins to shed its leaves; in this case, the development of mold and fungi is added to the symptoms.
Excessive growth and elongation of the stem
With a lack of lighting, this flower can starve, since it receives useful nutrients not only from the ground through the root system, but also through the process of photosynthesis through the foliage.
The succulent has enough moisture and little light, so it begins to grow quickly, not keeping up with the usual pace of development. It strives for a source of light, its trunk stretches and can bend.
Therefore, in order for the Crassula bush to form beautifully, the pot should be placed in a place with good lighting. But it is important to protect the plant from direct rays of the sun, as they can burn the leaves of the succulent.
Slow flower growth
If Crassula grows slower than usual, it is worth reviewing the rules of care; perhaps we are talking about violations of the watering regime, fertilization, and lighting. In addition, like most succulent plants, it “rests” in winter and it is recommended to place the flower in a room with a temperature of +10 - +12 degrees.
Rotting of the trunk, softening and wrinkling of foliage
While watering your money tree generously, the owner may wonder why the tree's trunk is rotting and its leaves are shriveling. In most cases, these are negative consequences of overflow.
Unfortunately, if the flower’s trunk is damaged, then most likely it will not be possible to save it. In this case, it is recommended to take healthy cuttings from it and plant a new plant using the cutting method.
But, when the foliage wrinkles, the problem can be solved. The first thing to do is remove the plant from the pot and thoroughly dry the earthen ball. If the soil is too wet or smells moldy, then you should transplant the succulent into another pot with new soil.
The leaves are wrinkled and dry
As a rule, succulent plants consume little moisture and know how to use it wisely. However, this does not mean that they do not need to be watered. If the Crassula stood on a window with good lighting for a long time, but was not watered, then it is not surprising that its leaves shrink and dry out - this is a sign of dehydration of the plant.
Experienced gardeners warn not to immediately water it abundantly. The fact is that during a drought, the root system of the flower also dried out and shriveled, and when it receives moisture, it will begin to straighten out. If water is supplied in large quantities, the fat plant will not be able to absorb it, its roots will crack and rot in excessively wet soil.
It is not surprising that an overwatered plant that has endured a long dry period will have wrinkled leaves. You should follow the regime and water it little by little.
Softening the foliage
Soft leaves may indicate that the succulent is overwatering. Due to inexperience, flower growers can overdo it, watering a flower as soon as its soil dries out. But, Crassula feels great when it is watered once a week in the summer, and once every 4 weeks in the winter.
If the plant is significantly damaged, it is advisable to carry out resuscitation:
- remove the flower from the container;
- clean the roots with a knife;
- place in water for half an hour;
- plant in new soil mixture.
It is important! A similar procedure is recommended for young flowers. An adult fat plant should not be replanted when it is overwatered; it is enough for it to replace the wet soil with dry one.
For some time, watering should be completely avoided.
It is worth taking a closer look at the plant if its leaves have become soft and thin. Perhaps the problem is not in watering at all; such signs also appear when the plant is damaged by pests. Then you can't do without treatment.
Foliage becomes covered with black spots
Their appearance can be misleading for novice flower growers, because the sun’s rays can leave darkening on the leaf blades, as well as pathogenic bacteria. There is a significant difference between these lesions: the location of the burn is always local, the spot appears where the beam is directed. And when the sun exposure stops, the lesion disappears and does not spread to the rest of the flower.
If Crassula becomes ill with an infection of bacterial origin, then dark spots begin to cover an increasing area of the leaf plates. If the money tree is not treated, it will die. You can save it by treating it with antibacterial and antifungal drugs, for example, Fitosporin-M. It is necessary to dissolve the product in water in a ratio of 1:2, and then dilute it again, but this time 1 part to 10 parts of water. The resulting solution should be carefully treated with the affected foliage of the crassula.
The flower withers, its parts begin to dry out
Most likely, the fat plant is withering due to the fact that it has outgrown its previous “home” and needs a more spacious pot. Like other succulents, it requires a slightly larger container than before, and its root system does not grow as quickly as most ordinary flowers.
If time is of the essence, then it is better to plan this event for the spring. But a sick or dying flower should be replanted as soon as the need arises.
Again, the fat plant can dry out not because of disease or pests, but as a result of an incorrect watering regime - excessive or insufficient. It is important to regulate this process.
Reddening of foliage
If the leaves of the money tree are initially green, then you should take care of shading your pet. Most likely, they are exposed to direct sunlight.
Another reason for reddening of foliage is lack of fresh air. It is recommended to ventilate the room in which the flower is located every day.
In addition, discoloration can occur due to a lack of nutrients. But you shouldn’t be overzealous with feeding either. As a rule, Crassula is fed in spring and summer, using liquid formulations for cacti, no more than once every 2–4 weeks. In winter, one event per month is enough. It is better to apply fertilizer after watering.
Darkening, rotting roots
If the owner discovers that the flower is unwell and the roots have rotted, then it can be saved before the trunk begins to turn black and rot. In this case, you need to immediately begin processing the rhizome and subsequent replanting:
- Crassula should be removed from the pot, placed with its roots under running water and rinsed thoroughly.
- Then, it is recommended to inspect the plant, removing damaged roots and shoots.
- The remaining healthy root is placed for a quarter of an hour in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate; this procedure will allow it to be disinfected.
To eliminate the possibility of the flower becoming infected with pathogenic bacteria and fungi, which causes the root system to become sick, you should use soil and a container that have been previously disinfected and treated. To do this, the soil is calcined in the oven for 50–60 minutes at a temperature of 200 degrees. As for the pot, you can rinse it with boiling water, hold it over steam, or wash it with a solution of potassium permanganate or 20% bleach.
The leaves are covered with white dots or a silvery coating
Spots on the fat plant that look like white dots are a sign that it is oversaturated with moisture. In this case, the soil dries out and watering is reduced.
A silvery coating on the leaves of the fat plant indicates that it has suffered stress and is successfully rehabilitating itself. No additional measures are required; the succulent will recover on its own.
Succulents react quite quickly to maintenance errors: this is indicated by falling leaves, slow growth, rotting roots and other signs. In most cases, the pet can be revived. But, in addition, the fat woman can be plagued by pests and diseases that require treatment.
Is it possible to prune a money tree?
Pruning shoots of Crassula is necessary in several cases:
- diseased branches appeared;
- the tree has grown too wide;
- the plant froze in development.
How to water a money tree at home
If diseased shoots appear on the tree, they must be removed as soon as possible, drawing a cutting line not at the border of the healthy and diseased parts, but capturing 1 cm of the healthy area. This is necessary to ensure that healthy branches do not become infected at the time of cutting. If several branches on a large branch are affected by the fungus, it is advisable to remove the entire branch, since there is a high probability of the fungus spreading to nearby branches.
When the size of the crown interferes with other inhabitants of the window sill or poses a threat to the fat plant itself, you can trim the branches, focusing on the wishes for the appearance of the tree. By pinching the tops of insufficiently dense shoots, it is easy to achieve a bushy crown, and also to make the Crassula have a thick trunk, as required by lush foliage.
Additional Information. It is better to carry out decorative pruning from March to May, during the active growing season. If diseases occur on the leaves, you should not wait until spring; cut off diseased shoots as soon as they form.
Spring pruning, in which each cut is made at an angle of 45˚ to the trunk, will be an excellent stimulator for the growth of new cuttings. You should remember about the possible appearance of special growths - calluses, which, like dead shoots, should be removed.
Spring pruning
Often Crassula Morgana, which is easy to care for, without frills, and without visible health problems, begins to shed its leaves. If the pot was not constantly waterlogged, and no pests or traces of their activity were found on the leaves, the problem may be that the plant is cramped in the pot. When the root system has reached the size of the container, the tree cannot develop. As a result, the crown begins to fall off. In this case, there are two ways to save the fat woman:
- cut off one third of each branch; new trees can be successfully grown from the resulting shoots;
- transplant into a wider pot made of natural materials.
What to do to save the plant
If the castings of the Crassula have become sluggish, then you must first determine the cause of this flower disease.
Let's say the ground is waterlogged. In this case, it is necessary to dry the soil and increase the air temperature. If this does not help, then the plant should be replanted. The roots must be cleaned of rot, then washed with potassium permanganate, sprinkled with crushed charcoal, and only then planted in fresh soil. Watering should be done with water at room temperature.
IMPORTANT! Water for irrigation cannot be taken from the tap; it must sit for at least a day.
The main thing is to choose the appropriate watering regime for it in order to protect it from stress. In the summer, you need to water once every two to three days, in the fall this should be done once or twice a week to prepare it for the dormant period, and in the winter, one watering every two to three weeks is enough.
It is important to wipe the leaves of the tree with a damp cloth so that they are better saturated with oxygen, and spray them with a spray bottle, you can also arrange a warm shower.
Place it in the bath and water the leaves and trunk of the flower with lukewarm water, let the water drain, then you can put it back in place.
If the apartment's windows face only north, then you need to purchase a fluorescent lamp. But if the plant has recently been transplanted, it is better not to place it in direct sunlight, but in the middle of the day it should be shaded with a curtain.
Don't forget about feeding. This should be done from May to August, when the plant needs it, that is, during the period of active growth. If a plant does not have enough potassium fertilizers, it acquires an unnatural color and yellow spots appear. Phosphorus is necessary for normal growth; if it is deficient, the leaves darken. Nitrogen is needed for full growth, and calcium is needed to nourish the tough parts of plants.
Feed the plant with charcoal , the universal product "Epin-Extra" or a self-prepared composition from egg shells (the shells must be washed, dried, ground into powder and added to the container with the flower).
REFERENCE! Once every two to three years, replant the flower in a larger pot.
How to reanimate a fat woman at home
The money tree communicates health problems by dropping its leaves. This signal differs from the natural process in the scale of leaf fall. Often bare branches and trunk remain. The reasons for the manifestation of an anomalous process may be:
- excess moisture in the soil;
- lack of light;
- thrips infection;
- pouring ice water.
Attention! At the first sign of defoliation, the tree should be inspected for pests on the underside of the leaves. If thrips are not detected, analyze the irrigation regime and water quality.
If a pest is detected on the remaining leaves, the plant can be revived without the use of chemicals. To do this, pour finely chopped garlic with water and leave for an hour. Strain the resulting solution and apply generously with a spray bottle to all shoots and trunk, leaving no dry space on the tree. If the weather is sunny during the treatment period, the plant should be removed from the windowsill so as not to cause sunburn. Do not wash off the solution, let it dry on its own.
Thrips damage
When a tree dies from excess moisture in the soil, the frequency of watering should be significantly reduced. As an emergency solution when the soil becomes waterlogged, transplanting it into a new clay or ceramic pot with dry soil will help. The first meager watering can be done after a week with clean, settled water at room temperature.
If the leaves become soft and limp
When the fat plant has limp leaves, what should you do with watering? If the soil has not been watered for more than two weeks, the crown will wither due to lack of moisture. If there has been no prolonged drought in the life of the plant, but it has become soft, you should pay attention to the condition of the air in the room. Perhaps its temperature exceeds 26˚C and it is overdried.
Attention! The first aid to a plant that is beginning to wilt is to move it away from heating appliances.
Infection with Fusarium rot is why the leaves of the money tree become soft ; what to do if the area of the trunk at the roots shows signs of damage:
- Change the pot and soil, transplanting the plant to a new place;
- If there is no new pot, the plant is removed from the ground and the root system is freed from the contaminated soil. The pot is doused with boiling water, washed with soapy water and filled with a completely new fresh substrate.
Important! The roots of the plant need to be saved with the help of phytosporin, and two centimeters of the trunk adjacent to the affected roots should be treated.
Why do the leaves of the money tree dry out?
When Crassula stands on a windowsill in the southern regions of Russia and is exposed to scorching direct sunlight every day, dark spots may appear on the surface of its foliage, signaling a problem. In the most severe cases, leaves affected by overheating or sunburn become dry and fall off. Despite the fact that the money tree does not require close care, it will also not be possible to grow it in extreme conditions. The plant does not like aggressive direct ultraviolet radiation.
Infestation with scale insects can cause leaves to dry out. First, brown spots appear on leaves that are as green as grass. Over time, they spread throughout the plant, which can cause it to become sick and dry, and eventually die. To combat the pest, it is effective to spray with a solution of ammonia or thoroughly wipe the wood with a cotton swab soaked in the solution.
Defeat by scale insects
Why does the money tree turn yellow?
In the autumn, the leaves of the money tree can often become soft, what should you do, and why does this happen if there are no visible reasons for the disease? The first thing you need to pay attention to is the sharp decrease in sunlight during the off-season. The autumn sky in many regions is overcast with gray clouds, and the sun does not appear for long weeks or months.
The fat plant does not have enough lighting, the leaves become yellow, wrinkled and crumble. Therefore, when growing Crassula in the northwestern region, the Komi Republic, beyond the Urals and other areas suffering from a lack of sunlight, it should be provided with additional lighting at the first signs of yellowing of the foliage.
When the leaves of the fat plant turn yellow and wrinkled, all you need to do is to establish reasonable care:
- prevent soil from becoming waterlogged;
- provide drainage;
- help the plant in poor lighting;
- get rid of pests that Crassula is afraid of;
- propagation is carried out by shoots obtained after cutting the crown;
- Feed in the spring with mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium.
By forming a symmetrical crown and regularly pruning the branches, you can easily turn a thin trunk into a woody and strong one that will not fall under the weight of the branches. Moderate watering will not allow the roots to rot, which means the plant will not be lost. Simple rules will help you find a real money tree on your window, which will bring good luck and wealth to your home.
Causes of softness
Money tree leaves often become soft and limp. Why is this happening? There may be several reasons for this:
- This may be due to watering. Inexperienced gardeners think that Crassula needs water immediately after the soil dries. This plant may suffer from drought or, conversely, from waterlogging. If it was watered in small portions, the moisture did not completely saturate the soil. This leads to the death of some roots. And the fewer roots a plant has, the less they feed the entire flower. That's why the leaves become soft. It also happens the other way around. Highly moist soil also affects the leaves. The flower cannot be watered often and a lot during periods when there is not enough sunlight, when it is cool. This also happens due to transplanting the plant into a large pot if the soil takes up a lot of moisture (with peat soil without raising agents).
The drainage layer of the soil is also important; any material that does not rot can be used as it: pebbles, cork, pebbles, etc.
- The appearance of soft leaves is associated with sunlight. The pot must be placed on a windowsill facing south, south-east or south-west, because the fat plant loves light.
- Temperature plays an important role in ensuring that the leaves are always elastic and healthy. In the warm season, this indoor tree feels good at temperatures from 22 to 28 degrees. In summer it can be taken out into the air (in the garden, on the balcony). In winter it rests and is comfortable at temperatures from 14 to 16 degrees. It is better to remove the plant away from radiators and other heating devices. The room must be ventilated often, but do not forget that drafts are also harmful to him.
- The choice of flower pot also plays an important role. It should be heavy, not very deep, the width of the pot should correspond to the width of the roots. In such a pot the plant will grow and develop well, the roots will deliver nutrients to the leaves.
- The reason for soft leaves may be a lack or excess of fertilizers.
How to get rid of white plaque on a plant stem
Damage to Crassula shoots can lead to their wilting. You can often see that the shoots of the plant are soft and covered with a white coating. Reason for this:
- Development of the fungal disease “powdery mildew”;
- Mealybug infestation.
Powdery mildew develops on leaves and shoots at high air humidity. This disease is especially dangerous during the rest period, when the air temperature is reduced. The affected areas are covered with a white coating of mold.
It is necessary to combat powdery mildew with the help of fungicides, which are used to repeatedly treat the above-ground part of the plant.
Also, all diseased areas of the tree are removed and burned, preventing the disease from spreading. Mealybug is a dangerous pest. Insects are covered with a white fluffy coating. In places where they accumulate in the axils of leaves, they form white fluffy areas on which moving insects are visible.
The scale insect sucks the juice from the plant, the shoots dry out, and you can see limp, soft leaves on them. The insect is destroyed with the help of insecticides, which are used to treat the above-ground part of the plant and the surface of the soil.
What to do to revive Crassula: how to treat and revive her
If it was not possible to prevent the problem and the tree is already sick, measures should be taken immediately. At the same time, the main thing is to choose the right treatment method.
Healthy green coins. Photo used as illustration. Source: Yandex.Images
Having identified scale insects on the leaves of Crassula, you can quickly help the plant using a regular soap solution and any insecticidal preparation. Dissolve 30 grams of soap in 3 liters of water and wash the Crasula leaves with the resulting solution using a sponge. After removing all pests, treat the flower with an insecticide.
When faced with a spider mite, the gardener must understand that this insect is not so easy to defeat, since its size does not even reach 1 millimeter. The first thing you have to do is remove all the affected leaves. After this, rinse the plant under a warm shower and let it dry. Treat dried Crassula with an insecticidal preparation.
Important! When infected with spider mites, not only the diseased plant is treated. The window sill on which it is located should also be treated. Such actions will help prevent the pest from spreading to other flowers.
Treatment of Crassula for mealybug is much simpler. To get rid of this pest, it is enough to treat the flower with an insecticide and replace the soil in which it grows.
Proper maintenance conditions will keep the Succulent healthy. Photo used as illustration. Source: Yandex.Images
During treatment, the use of biostimulants is allowed. These drugs will help the plant survive a difficult period and minimize the risk of its death.
In addition, biostimulants can play a decisive role if the plant urgently needs to be revived. If Crassula has dropped most of its leaves and acquired a lifeless appearance, use Epin . This drug will stimulate the growth of new shoots and help the plant survive.
Remember! When using insecticidal preparations, precautions should be taken. Before you start processing, put on gloves, a respirator and safety glasses. Carry out the treatment very carefully, avoiding contact of the drug with the skin.
How to save a tree that is dying because it froze on the windowsill in winter
If you notice signs of freezing in Crassula, you need to act very quickly. If the branches of your tree have become soft, watery and turned black, this is a sign that you should not hesitate!
Softened twigs. Photo used as illustration. Source: Yandex.Images
First of all, remove all dead shoots. After this, remove the plant from the soil and carefully examine its root system. Cut off the frozen roots and sprinkle with a small amount of ground activated carbon. When the cut areas are dry, plant the flower in new soil and place it in a place where it will not be disturbed by drafts.
Why did the leaves and trunk of the Crassula become soft?
Sometimes the money tree loses its decorative effect and begins to fade. Crassula leaves become limp, thin and wrinkled. If the leaves of the money tree have become soft and limp, this is a signal to the gardener about errors in caring for the plant. The money tree's leaves can become soft and limp due to the following care errors:
- Insufficient watering;
- Excess moisture in the soil for a long time;
Insufficient moisture of the earthen ball and prolonged drying out can cause damage to the root system. Even though Crassula is a succulent, its roots can die if they are left in dry conditions for too long.
Not only the leaves, but even some of the branches and trunk of the money tree can become soft. But the trunk dries out last. When overwatering, a similar situation occurs. In water without access to air, the roots of the plant also die.
At the same time, there may also be soft leaves on the branches of the tree. But in a humid environment, pathogens multiply quickly. Therefore, when overhydrated, various diseases may occur.
Why does Crassula have a thin trunk?
In addition to the problems with wilting of the crassula, there are other troubles when growing this species. A tree with a thin, twisted trunk looks very ugly. In addition, such a trunk cannot withstand the weight of the crown and becomes even more bent or broken.
To grow a fat plant with a thick, beautiful trunk, you must observe the following plant care features:
- The tree needs to be planted in an individual pot ; several cuttings growing in one pot shade each other and take away nutrients;
- You cannot plant the fat plant in a spacious pot ; the roots of the plant must quickly grow to its walls. While the root system of a tree is growing, it does not grow a trunk and shoots;
- It is necessary to provide the fat tree with the most bright diffused light in summer and winter; in winter, it is advisable to supplement the tree with phytolamps.
If the plant trunk is thin and the leaves are soft, the plant's root system may be damaged. In this case, it is necessary to replant with revision of the roots.
Diseases and pests cause the softness of the trunk and leaves of the money tree
Crassula may have soft leaves and trunk due to numerous fungal diseases. The most common are: root and trunk rot, gray rot and powdery mildew. These diseases occur due to excessive soil and air moisture, as well as due to water getting on leaves and shoots at low temperatures.
Root rot spreads quickly and affects the bottom of the trunk. At the same time, the trunk softens and the plant falls. Gray rot and powdery mildew are fungal diseases of branches and leaves. Extensive damage leads to the fact that soft leaves appear on the branches, the leaf blades dry out, and the branches die.
If the fat plant has become lethargic, this may indicate that the plant has been damaged by harmful insects. Sometimes scale insects and mealybugs settle on the fat plant. If pests multiply in large numbers, they severely damage leaves and shoots. At the same time, the leaf blades, as if they lack nutrition, become thinner and wither.
