How to water a money tree at home

The money tree (other names are Crassula, Tolstyanka) is a very popular succulent in Russia, the fleshy leaves of which look like small coins. It is believed to be capable of attracting wealth to the home. To grow a healthy and beautiful houseplant, you need to know how to water your money tree.

Watering the money tree at home

The fat woman is a perennial plant native to Africa. Outwardly, it looks like a small tree. The strong trunk of the fat woman is strewn with medium-sized leaves, which can be either in the shape of a circle, or an oval or heart. At home, it blooms quite rarely. This unpretentious tree-like succulent is not afraid of dry weather. It is important to know how often you need to water the money tree - it is very sensitive to high humidity.

Crassula, grown at home

What water is needed for irrigation

Ordinary tap water is very hard and contains chlorine and salts that are harmful to plants, so it is not suitable for watering a house flower. In caring for a money tree, it is better to use a purified liquid that has settled for more than 12 hours. It should be at room temperature - bearberry roots are sensitive to cold. For extra softening, you can add a little wood ash (about one teaspoon per liter).

Another way to purify and soften tap water is to freeze it. The frozen liquid is allowed to stand until it reaches room temperature (about 24 ° C).

How to determine if the "tree of happiness" needs watering

Succulents do not need frequent watering, as they have the ability to accumulate moisture in themselves. Usually, the money tree is watered no more than two to three weeks. The length of the intervals between irrigations depends on climatic conditions, season and other factors. In dry climates, the plant will require more frequent water treatments.

A tree suffering from a lack of moisture

Watering frequency depends on the following factors:

• indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity;
• room illumination level;
• distance between plants;
• distance from heating appliances.

You can determine whether the fat woman needs watering by placing your finger in a pot of earth to a depth of about two phalanges. If it is dry to the touch, the plant needs water. The upper part of the soil evaporates water faster, so it must be loosened periodically.

A common mistake of novice succulent lovers is to determine the moisture content of the soil by its appearance. It looks dry, even if the roots have already begun to rot from the moisture.

How to properly water a plant at home

There are two ways to water the money tree - from the top or through the pallet.

Top watering

Watering by the top method is carried out using a watering can with a narrow neck. A stream of water is slowly directed around the edges of the pot - this way you can avoid exposing the root system.At the same time, puddles should not form on the surface of the earth.

Bottom watering

Sump watering is suitable for heavily dried plants, but has the disadvantage that nutrients can be unevenly distributed. This method is usually used for the emergency restoration of a dead tree.

Spraying the leaves of the bastard

The leaves of the plant also need moisture and dust cleaning. In the summer they must be sprayed, and in the winter they must be wiped with a slightly damp cloth. When wet, succulents are more susceptible to sunlight, so the procedure is best done in the evening.

What to do with a fat woman in case of departure

Since the flower can die from a lack of moisture, gardeners leaving on vacation often worry about abandoned houseplants. However, you don't have to worry about the money tree - it can go without water for more than a month! The main thing is not to leave it in direct sunlight.

Watering the money tree depending on the season

Plant care will differ depending on the period of the year:

• In the vegetative spring period, watering is carried out once a week or once every 10 days. At the same time, it is recommended to feed.
• If the soil dries out very much in summer, the frequency of watering is increased to twice a week. Make sure that the leaves remain dry after irrigation - the rays of the sun can harm them. In the summer, the soil often cracks and needs to be loosened.
• In autumn, the ground should be dryish - you can water the tree no more than once a week.
• In winter, the plant is in the sleep stage: growth and development stops. At this time, he almost does not need water. You can moisten the soil once a month, in warm weather - once every two weeks. The room temperature should be between 8 and 15 ° C. It is important to place the money tree away from heating appliances.

How to properly water after transplanting a plant

When the roots become too large, the plant is transplanted into another, more spacious pot. It must be tall and heavy, since the root system of the money tree is weak enough to support the weight of the trunk. Fat women are recommended to be replanted in the spring every three to four years (young plants - every year).

Transplanting a succulent into another pot

For succulents, a loose soil of neutral acidity is needed. In stores, you can buy a ready-made mixture that meets all your needs.

The earth is laid out in a pot in three layers:

• 1 centimeter of drainage - broken brick or pebbles;
• a mixture of earth, humus and sand;
• another layer of drainage, which is removed before watering.

Transplanting is stressful for any plant. After transplantation, the roots of Crassula are tender and sensitive. During the period of adaptation to a new place of residence, it is better to stop watering.

Improper watering and plant diseases

According to feng shui, the ailments of the money tree symbolize financial troubles. In fact, a plant disease speaks of improper watering, violation of conditions of detention or pest damage.

Sick tree

You can determine the cause of a bad condition by its appearance:

• A light white bloom on foliage appears after transplanting the plant. It is a natural process of getting rid of excess cells and does not require treatment.
• Large brown, round spots are a sign of fungus. It appears due to waterlogging or too low temperatures. This disease can be cured only in the initial stages with the help of fungicides. Irregularly shaped brownish-yellow spots appear when the sun's rays hit the wet leaves.
• White dots abundantly covering the leaves indicate over-spraying and watering. It may also mean that the air humidity is too high for the plant.
• Green pimples occur for two reasons - excess water and thyroid damage.
• Red-purple foliage is a sign of unbalanced soil, lack of fresh air and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. When feeding a tree, use fertilizer only for succulents and cacti.
• Yellowed flabby leaves appear from the heat.
• Small leaves mean a lack of food and light. It is recommended to fertilize and change its location to a more illuminated one.
• Poor lighting, low temperatures and excess water lead to thinning of the stems.

Falling foliage can occur for several reasons. Once every few years, the money tree sheds its leaves before winter. This is a completely natural process. In other cases, the loss of green cover symbolizes watering errors.

What to do if the fat woman is "drunk"

If the plant has suffered from over-watering, it must be urgently transplanted. First, you need to remove the tree from the pot and examine the root system - the method of treatment is selected depending on their condition. Rot that appears on the roots indicates the process of infection with a fungus.

In this case, to save the tree, you need to use the following step-by-step instructions:

1. Rinse the roots thoroughly. At the same time, the water should be slightly warm.
2. Remove the affected part of the root system.
3. Place the healthy part of the plant in a solution of potassium permanganate or foundation. The plant will be ready for transplanting in 15 minutes.
4. Place the bastard in a pot with new soil and do not disturb for several weeks. Watering at this time is excluded.

Crassula, sick from excess moisture, cannot always be saved. The chances of recovery are increased if the roots are not damaged by fungus. In this situation, the plant must be dried and transplanted into new soil.

Blooming money tree

Proper watering is the key to a beautiful and healthy plant. Knowing how to properly water a fat woman, you can avoid common mistakes novice succulent lovers make. A tree grown with love and care will surely thank its owners with a blooming appearance and financial well-being.