When should you transplant a fat plant and how to do it correctly? Features of the procedure

Conditions for keeping a money tree at home

Crassula is an unpretentious plant. It easily tolerates lack of moisture and open sunlight. One of its names - Crassula - indicates the ability to accumulate moisture in thick and fleshy leaves. In the absence of watering, Crassula can survive a dry period using its own reserves, consuming water from the foliage.

The extensive Tolstyankov genus includes more than 300 species. Among them are small plants (several centimeters high) and giant ones - up to several meters tall.

This is how Crassula grows with proper care

Table: necessary conditions for the development of Crassula

The flower signals a lack of moisture with soft leaves. The water should be lukewarm or at room temperature; the best time for watering is in the evening.

Important to remember:

• For proper formation of the bush, the money tree should not be placed close to a window or wall. To ensure that the crown has a symmetrical shape, the fat plant is rotated around its axis from time to time, then the lighting will be evenly distributed to all sides of the plant;
• air humidity is not important for Crassula (the plant is native to the southern regions);
• Crassula copes with a lack of water better than with its excess.

Crassulas have been grown in indoor floriculture for more than three hundred years, since they were brought to Europe by sailors from the African continent.

A healthy money tree needs fertilization. Often this is not required; it is enough to feed the plant once a month with mineral mixtures for succulents.

Video: mistakes when caring for a money tree

Crown modeling

The money tree has an interesting structure, which allows the owner to model its crown to his taste. If you do not control the growth of branches, the tree can become lopsided, stretch out, and acquire an ugly appearance. Forming a crown is not a difficult task: it is enough to remove an unnecessary shoot in time or, conversely, stimulate the growth of an additional branch. To create a new branch, the two apical leaves are pinched. Soon additional stems will appear in this place.

The crown of the money tree can be shaped as you wish

There is no need to rush to remove excess leaves from the trunk of the money tree. As the crown grows, they will disappear on their own, leaving the trunk with a natural appearance.

Video: correct formation of the Crassula crown

The main mistakes in the process of tree transplantation

Beginning gardeners often make mistakes when replanting, which can lead to the death of the plant. These include:

• frequent change of environment;
• selection of large capacity;
• acidic or alkaline soil;
• presence of drafts or direct sunlight.

These errors can lead to the fact that the plant will not be able to adapt after transplantation and will die. The fat plant experiences stress when changing its habitat. Conditions are being created for her to recover.

Caring for a money tree is easy. If you follow simple rules, you can grow a magnificent plant that will decorate your apartment.

Boarding and transfer times

The most favorable time for planting or replanting indoor plants is considered to be early spring, when a new life cycle begins, the plant is ready for renewal and tolerates a change of residence well. The money tree is no exception in this sense.

Crassula also copes well with autumn replanting, although it is undesirable. A good reason for replanting in the fall is plant disease or the appearance of pests. To save the plant, replanting is recommended at any time of the year, even in winter.

How often to replant Crassula

The fat woman does not approve of frequent transplants; this is extremely stressful for her. A young plant (up to two or three years old) should be transplanted into a new pot once a year. An adult tree grows more slowly, so it is enough to provide it with a larger pot once every three to four years.

When and how often to replant a plant?

You can choose the right time for a planned transplant based on both the needs of the plant itself and the recommendations of the lunar calendar. It is better to do this in spring or summer, so that in July-August the tree adapts and gets used to new conditions, because in the fall it will begin to prepare for dormancy. The table of favorable days of the lunar calendar takes into account the phases of the moon and the seasonal biorhythms of plants and will help you choose which day is best to replant. The period of the waxing moon is important, and the preferred day of the week is Wednesday.

What kind of soil and pot are needed?

The money tree is unpretentious to the composition of the soil and the size of the pot. But he still has his preferences.

Suitable soil

Even a novice gardener can make good soil for a money tree. To prepare your own substrate you will need:

• fresh humus;
• calcined sand;
• leaf soil;
• turf land.

The first three components are taken in equal proportions. But three times more turf land will be needed. The soil should be loose, well permeable to water and air. It is better to maintain soil acidity levels at a neutral value, somewhere in the range of pH 6.5–7.0.

If you don’t want to bother preparing the soil yourself, you can use a purchased mixture. Any universal soil is suitable for a money tree. Ideally, a special substrate for succulents. It is advisable to add sand to the universal mixture (in a ratio of one to four).

Crassula requires good drainage. For young plants, a two-centimeter layer of broken brick, river pebbles or expanded clay is sufficient; for more powerful specimens, the drainage layer increases to 5–10 cm. The top layer of soil must be covered with mulch. It will prevent rapid drying out and give a decorative look to the pot. For this purpose, you can use pebbles, crushed stone, tree bark and chips, nut shells, dried autumn leaves, straw, and processed glass.

Selecting the shape and size of a new pot

The root system of the money tree is located close to the surface of the earth. That is why you need to select wide and shallow pots for it. The diameter of the dishes is determined by the diameter of the crown: the dishes should be slightly wider than the crown. This is necessary for the stability of the plant so that it does not inadvertently turn over.

Shallow, stable containers are ideal containers for Crassula

To highlight the beauty of Crassula, it is better to take a ceramic pot. You can, of course, plant the crassula in an ordinary plastic vessel, but the plant will lose a lot in aesthetic perception. Brown or terracotta-colored dishes go well with the fleshy leaves of the money tree. Feng Shui teachings recommend decorating a pot with coins to attract cash flow. Coins can also be placed in the drainage layer.

FAQ

Crassula is one of the most unpretentious indoor plants. Caring for her is easy and not burdensome. But even this plant in the hands of inept gardeners can grow poorly, get sick and even die.

This happens because when growing a tree, it is not provided with the necessary living conditions. And all problems with the money tree arise only due to improper care of it. There are some questions that exotic lovers ask especially often.

Why doesn't the money tree grow and what to do?

The money tree grows poorly, slowly or does not grow for the following reasons:

• Root rotting as a result of improper watering regime. Damage to the roots due to fungal infection can be eliminated in the early stages of the disease, when the fat plant has just stopped growing. It is urgent to transplant the plant into new soil and revise the roots. If there are rotten areas of roots, they are cut off. You also need to check the drainage and drainage holes in the pot;
• Bad light. When there is insufficient lighting, the plant begins to stretch, slowly growing weak and thin shoots. A severely weakened tree grows very slowly. If the crown of a tree is disfigured due to poor lighting, pruning is carried out to remove all weak shoots. Then the plant is moved to a more illuminated place;
• Lack of fertilizing and replanting. In the absence of fertilizing and replanting, the tree grows poorly and at the same time loses its leaf mass. You should feed the plant and replant it in new soil in the spring.

Why does the money tree grow downward?

It often happens that due to the lack of regular formative pruning, the crown of a tree loses its decorative effect. Its branches greatly elongate, bend, and sometimes even begin to grow downward.

Another reason that Crassula branches droop down is poor lighting. The shoots of the plant become very elongated and thin. They lose their rigidity and droop.

To return the plant to its normal crown configuration, it is necessary to prune the plant.

All thin and flexible branches are removed. Shoots that grow inside the crown are also removed. If after pruning there are very few branches left on the tree, you should not be upset. For rapid growth, the plant should be transplanted into new soil. Then over the summer, with good natural light, the tree will grow many missing branches.

Methods of propagating a money tree: what exactly to plant

An unpretentious money tree can be propagated in three ways:

• propagation by cuttings;
• leaf rooting;
• sowing with seeds (very rarely used).

The simplest method is cuttings. 8–10 cm shoot tips are suitable for this purpose. The cut of the branch is dried for two days, after which the cutting can be rooted. There are two ways:

• rooting in the substrate;
• obtaining roots in water.

Rooting cuttings in the ground

The cut of the cutting must be treated with crushed coal. You need to take a small pot, but such that the money tree cuttings can live in it at least until spring. For rooting, you will need a light mixture of river sand and garden soil.

Greenhouse conditions are favorable for rooting of Crassula cuttings

Place the shoot in a depression (made, for example, with a pencil), sprinkle it with earth, water it and cover it with film or a plastic cup. You can water the plant without removing the cup. The creation of a greenhouse effect has a beneficial effect on the rooting of the shoot. As soon as a new leaf appears on the cutting, you can remove the cover - the money tree has taken root and started growing.

Growing roots in water

This path is even simpler. On a cut money tree branch, the lower leaves are removed, leaving a couple or two. The cutting is placed vertically in a glass half filled with water with the drug Kornevin added to stimulate root growth. Place the container in a shaded place for two to three weeks. Usually during this time the roots appear - the plant is ready to be planted in the ground.

The cuttings of the Crassula are placed in a glass of water until roots appear.

Growing a new plant from one leaf

Growing a money tree from a single leaf is very similar to rooting a cutting. The cut of the leaf must also be dried and then placed in loose soil. To prevent the leaf from falling, it will need supports made of matches or toothpicks. Creating greenhouse conditions and regular moistening promote leaf rooting. The opportunity to grow a money tree from a single leaf is quite real and achievable.

You can grow a money tree from one leaf

Sow Crassula seeds

Seeds are sown in low containers filled with a mixture of sand and leaf soil, and covered with film or glass to maintain high humidity. To prevent blackleg, the soil is spilled with a solution of Fitosporin.

For two weeks, while the seeds germinate, be sure to provide short ventilation. When most of the seeds have sprouted, the glass is removed. After two or three pairs of leaves appear, the seedlings should be planted in small containers with an earthen mixture for succulents or universal flower soil.

Crassula species are mainly propagated by seed.

Propagation by cuttings

Crassula reproduces well at home; if desired, you can grow a large collection of these attractive plants. And the easiest way to do this is by cuttings, and even a novice gardener can cope with this activity.

Start propagation in early spring, when the plant begins its growing season. For cuttings, choose apical, strong shoots, and cut them so that each piece has several leaves, and their length reaches 10 cm. Dry the branches in the air for 24 hours, and then plant them in containers filled with nutrient substrate. Occasionally spray the soil with warm water from a spray bottle, being careful not to get moisture on the plants. Rooting will take 1-2 weeks. When the cuttings are strong enough, transplant them into individual pots.

If you don't want to mess with the soil, you can root the plants in water. How to do it? Remove the lower leaves from the cutting and place it in a half-filled glass of water. Be sure to add any growth stimulant to the liquid, such as Kornevin or Zircon. Keep the plant in partial shade and add water as needed. Rooting in this case will take up to two weeks.

Step-by-step instructions for planting and transplanting Crassula

1. We prepare the soil ourselves (as described above) or buy a suitable mixture.
2. Take a pot of the required size (how to determine the size is described above).
3. Place a layer of drainage at least two centimeters thick at the bottom of the pot.
4. Add soil so that the soil fills a fourth of the container.
5. Place the plant in the pot, trying to place it in the middle. If a massive money tree is being transplanted, then the transshipment method should be used: carefully remove the plant from the pot by the trunk with one hand, and lightly shake off the soil from the roots. It is necessary to additionally wash or treat the root system only in case of disease or rotting of the roots.
6. Add soil mixture, covering the roots. There is no need to compact it.
7. Water generously with warm water. After the first watering, it will become clear whether more soil needs to be added.
8. Add the required amount of soil and sprinkle with melba on top.
9. We place the Crassula in the shade for a week or two so that the still fragile tree does not get sunburn.

Video: replanting a money tree

Pruning and crown formation

With proper care at home, the money tree flower will grow well, and it is very important to shape the crown so that it does not grow into an ugly bush. First of all, do not forget to turn the plant in different directions towards the light. This way it will develop evenly and bald spots will not form on it.

In addition, in order for the plant to produce more shoots, you need to pinch its top. Moreover, this should be done when 3-4 pairs of leaves appear on the young tree. In the future, pinching should be done for each shoot, when 4 pairs of leaves are formed on them.

If you purchased an adult tree, then you can shape its crown by pruning. Carry out this procedure in the spring, and only with sharply sharpened and disinfected instruments. After trimming, be sure to sprinkle the cut areas with crushed activated charcoal or charcoal.

Possible landing options

Planting a money tree in a separate pot is just one of the possible options. Crassula grows well in a florarium and in a “garden in a bowl.”

Money tree in a home florarium

To plant a money tree in a florarium, you will need a special earthen mixture for succulents and charcoal. Being in a confined space provokes rotting of the roots, and coal allows you to disinfect decaying organic matter.

Crassula looks great in a florarium

Succulents in a florarium should be watered sparingly. Crassula does not like excess moisture, and in a sealed container there will be nowhere for water to evaporate.

Important: do not forget to open the closing florarium for fresh air.

How can Crassula be placed in a “garden in a bowl”

Hardy crassulas are the best option when creating a miniature garden from living plants. This species has about three hundred plants. Many have leaves that are original in color and shape, which give unusual combinations. Having prepared everything, as with the usual planting of a money tree in a pot, begin to plant several types of succulents in a flat container. Such a miniature composition can be moved from place to place and requires minimal maintenance. A “garden in a bowl” made from several stems of a money tree can be placed not only on the windowsill, but also on a coffee table, shelf or computer desk.

Crassula is used very often in such compositions.

Difficulties in caring for a fat woman

Rather, let’s call it not difficulties, but instructions for the behavior of your money tree. A sudden drop of leaves will tell you in the summer that there was not enough moisture or the water for irrigation was too cold.

• Due to excess moisture, particularly in winter, the leaves may turn pale and wither, but if the plant is not watered enough, they darken and wrinkle, and their shine is lost.
• Damaged ones must be removed.
• I once lost a fat woman because I didn’t take action in a timely manner.
• Signs given by the plant must be responded to immediately.
• Mine had a lot of moisture, but I took it for a lack.

Lack of moisture can also cause brown, dry spots on the leaves. But if the spots are brown but soft, frequent ventilation and treatment with an antifungal agent are recommended. I have never encountered anything like this.

• The base of the stem is rotting - this is most likely root rot, which is difficult to combat.
• Here I can only recommend drastic measures to the readers of MirSovetov (and even then they will help if the roots are alive - not soft and not dark).
• We cut off all the rotten parts, plant them in a clean pot and new soil, or even cut off only the top and begin to grow the tree again.

The long, ugly stem is again due to winter waterlogging and lack of light. Crassula is practically not affected by pests. If this suddenly happens, then they act according to generally accepted standards for combating a specific pest. But they note that the money tree becomes so close to the one who cares for it that if a person suffers from a psychological or physiological condition, the money tree begins to get sick and may die.

Typical mistakes when planting Crassula, ways to correct it

Sometimes a florist, relying on the unpretentiousness of the money tree, does not provide it with proper care. Mistakes made when planting Crassula can lead to disastrous results.

A flower is planted in a disproportionate pot

A money tree planted in a disproportionate pot does not grow well. A container that is too deep leads to stretching of the main root and trunk of the plant. The next time you transplant, you need to pinch the elongated root. Gradually, Crassula will restore its beautiful appearance. A pot that is too small can cause the plant to fall, as it will not be able to support the overgrown crown.

Overwatering

The fat woman lives according to the principle: drought is better than flood. Excessive watering leads to rotting of the root system. Watering the money tree is required as the surface of the earth dries out. Sometimes, instead of watering, you can spray the plant or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. If the “flood” does occur, then the fat woman needs the onset of the “dry season”. If it doesn’t help, we urgently replant the plant.

High air temperature

When there is excessive heat, the money tree loses its leaves and bares its trunk. It especially does not like high temperatures during the dormant period - from November to March. Lowering the temperature or shading helps the fat woman recover.

Lack of drainage

Some gardeners do not attach importance to something as small as drainage. But for Crassula it is a prerequisite for a prosperous existence. Without it, water stagnation can occur, leading to root rot and disease. If for some reason they “forgot” to do the drainage, the situation must be corrected urgently. It doesn’t matter what time it is outside - winter or summer.

Video: saving the money tree

Feng Shui lessons: making a lucky talisman out of wood

Crassula serves not only as a home decoration, because this flower purifies the air and kills germs, making the indoor microclimate healthier. And besides, according to the teachings of Feng Shui, Crassula brings good luck and wealth to the house. So this is not only a beautiful, but also a useful indoor plant (money tree). How to care for a flower to make it a lucky talisman? Follow these recommendations:

• To grow a money tree, use only strong and healthy seedlings.
• When planting the crassula, place eight coins of the same denomination at the bottom of the pot. Moreover, place them only with the coat of arms facing up.
• Carry out the landing itself on Wednesday, preferably on a waxing moon. This will increase the magical properties of the plant tenfold.
• Hang coins on the branches of Crassula, stringing them on red silk threads.
• Take proper care of the flower, because only plants grown with love bring good luck. Moreover, Feng Shui experts recommend watering the fat plant exclusively on Wednesdays. It is believed that on this day the plant is imbued with good luck, which it then shares with you.

Now you know everything about what a money flower is and how to care for it. Follow these recommendations, create comfortable conditions for the plant, and it will not only delight you with its decorative appearance, but will also bring wealth and good luck to your home.

Crassula flowering

The money tree rarely blooms indoors. In nature, Crassula flowering begins after the end of the dry season and the arrival of heavy rains. To obtain a similar effect, it is necessary to recreate similar conditions in the room where the fat woman lives. To do this, it is necessary to keep the money tree in a cool place during the winter months on a meager diet, watering extremely rarely. As spring approaches, increase watering and provide access to sunlight. Perhaps Crassula will bloom with small white flowers. However, it should be borne in mind that flowers appear only in the tenth year of the plant’s life.

The money tree rarely pleases with blossoms

Video: how to make a money tree bloom