Money tree: home care. Money tree: care secrets What is the difference between a money tree and a monkey

Information about the rarest endangered species of plants around the world

Araucaria araucana, Monkey Araucaria tree araucana or Chilean pine is the oldest exotic coniferous tree that grows on the mountain slopes of the southern and central Andes (South America). The national tree of Chile is also called a "living fossil". hard leaves rare coniferous plant needle-shaped, evergreen.

The monkey tree Araucaria araucana has a characteristic semicircular crown, tree height 40 m, trunk diameter 2 m. It grows slowly, lives up to 1000 years. In large, up to 20 cm spherical cones of Araucaria araucana, there are up to 200 seeds - nuts, up to 4 cm in size. The taste of Araucaria araucana nuts resembles the taste of pine nuts.

With the ability to survive in a high-mountain climate, it contributes to the spread of the Monkey tree as a nut crop in countries with cold oceanic summers.

However, to get the first harvest, you should wait at least 40 years.

The exotic tree has been protected by international laws on the protection of endangered plant species since 1971.

Another name for the Araucaria Araucan is the Monkey Puzzle. appeared in 1850, when the Chilean pine was still rare in England. One of the young ladies, looking at a rare exotic tree, involuntarily said: "Climbing this tree for a monkey would be a real puzzle." So, the name "monkey puzzle tree" was assigned to the Chilean pine. Maybe the statement was not so ridiculous, since the bark of the Araucaria Araucan really resembles puzzle plates.

Dwarf araucaria is grown at home. Like many conifers, araucaria purifies the air.

Plant monkey tree, monkey riddle or just araucaria - very beautiful and unusual. This is the oldest representative coniferous trees, which can be found on the rocks South America, in Australia or New Zealand. The monkey tree belongs to the Araucaria family. Giant trees predominate in the natural environment, but miniature specimens are commonly used in cultivation. In the photo, the monkey tree resembles a small Christmas tree that can be decorated on New Year. It also looks charming in the room throughout the year.

plant description

Monkey tree as a houseplant can reach a height of 1.5 m, although in nature there are specimens up to 50 m high. It has a developed, deep root system. Annual growth in the most favorable conditions does not exceed 10-15 cm.

Young shoots, including the stem, are covered with bright green bark. As the branches age, they become woody and turn brown. Lateral processes are located horizontally or have a drooping shape. Branches form tiers from the very base of the stem. Gradually, the plant sheds the lower shoots and the trunk becomes bare. The branches themselves, covered with short hard needles, are cylindrical in shape and resemble the tail of an animal. This similarity is especially noticeable in adult massive plants. Therefore, another name for the tree is monkey tails.

The needles resemble hard sessile leaves. Narrow triangular or oblong spines are painted in light green with a bluish tint. On closer inspection, you can see that the needles are arranged in a spiral. They sit very firmly on the branches and fall only with them. The needles evaporate essential oils and phytoncides. They improve the composition of the air, and also help fight harmful microorganisms.

Most monkey trees are dioecious. Their flowering occurs after full maturation, by about 40-50 years. On male lower plants, elongated flowers with many anthers bloom. Their length can reach 20-25 cm. Large oblong cones, covered with green skin, ripen on female trees. The diameter of the cones is about 35 cm. They contain edible nuts similar to pine nuts.

Popular types

In nature, there are about 20 species of monkey trees, but in indoor cultivation only single, most compact specimens are used.

An unpretentious plant with a height of only 50-65 cm. On an upright, also covered with needles trunk, horizontal long branches are located. All vegetation is bright green. On each branch there are several more gradually shortening lateral processes. On a young tree, the shoots are densely dotted with needle-like bright green needles. Their length is 1-2 cm, and their width is 1 mm. Over the years, the needles become triangular, similar to adjacent green scales. The scales are 8-10 mm long and 2-4 mm wide.

Brazilian monkey tree (Araucaria angustifolia). A taller plant that can also be grown at home. Its height can reach 3-4 m. It grows in the south of Brazil. At the top of a long stem are several whorled branches. In appearance, the tree resembles a palm tree. The entire crown is grouped at the top in the form of an umbrella. Lanceolate dark green scales end in a sharp spike. The length of the needles is 3-6 cm, with a width of 5 mm. On fertile branches, the needles are much denser. Trees are dioecious, leathery cones in diameter reach 20 cm.

The plant is a tall (up to 60 m), upright tree. This alpine monkey tree is cold-adapted and can withstand short frosts down to -20°C. The bark of even an adult plant casts in green. The surface of the stem is covered with many scars left from fallen branches. Coniferous scales in the form of a concave triangle 3-4 cm long and 1-3 cm wide are distributed in a spiral. Each leaf can be on a branch for up to 15 years.

Today it is increasingly found in culture. These small potted Christmas trees are very popular. The homeland of this species is New Guinea, where it can grow up to 90 m in height. The top of an even trunk is dotted with whorls of branches. Coniferous scales or small needles are 6-12 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide. They have a wider base and a pointed edge. Monoecious plants bear male flowers on thinner branches, and oval cones up to 25 cm in diameter are located on thickened shoots.

Reproduction methods

The monkey tree is propagated by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings. Seeds should be sown in the first 2 months after harvest or they will lose their viability. Planting is carried out in small individual pots, 1-2 seeds each. Use sandy-peat or sandy-leaf soil with the addition of charcoal. The seeds are deepened into moist soil by 2-3 cm. The pot is kept at a temperature of about +20 ° C and the ground is periodically sprayed. Shoots appear in 2-8 weeks. The seedling is grown without picking and transplanting in the same pot until the rhizome fills all the free space.

For cuttings in March or April, the apical, semi-lignified shoots are cut off. The cut is made slightly below the whorl. The released resin is removed from the bark, and the cut is dipped in crushed charcoal. After processing with rootstock, the cutting is planted in a small pot with sandy-peat soil. The seedling is covered with a transparent cap and kept at a temperature of +25 ° C. The rooting process usually takes about two months.

Transplant rules

It is not recommended to transplant too often. Until the roots have filled all the free space in the pot, the tree will develop perfectly without outside interference. Before transplanting a monkey tree, it is necessary to dry the soil a little. The procedure is planned for early spring. Prepare a wide pot with holes in the bottom. First, shards or brick chips are poured out.

The soil for planting should include the following components:

• sand;
• sod land;
• peat;
• leaf land;
• charcoal.

It is important to be extremely careful with the rhizome and use the method of transshipment of an earthen coma. The old soil should be preserved as much as possible.

Growing features

Caring for a monkey tree at home is not too difficult, it refers to undemanding plants. You should choose a bright place that is illuminated by the sun for a long time. Direct sunlight on the branches is undesirable. In summer, it is recommended to take the pots outside, in a place protected from wind and precipitation. In order for the crown to develop evenly, you need to turn the tree 90 ° daily. The monkey tree does not like the heat. Optimum temperature air temperature is +20 °C. In winter, the temperature should be +10…+15 °C.

Araucaria should be watered abundantly and often throughout the year. In no case should the earth dry out completely, but excess water must be immediately disposed of. The monkey tree does not need too high humidity, but periodic spraying is welcome.

In spring and summer, a very weak solution of organic or mineral fertilizers. It is important to ensure that the level of calcium in them is minimal.

In the photo there is a three-core spurge and a smiling head cat)

The plant is called cat or cat

some kind of ficus. the cat is cool)

popularly called the Monkey Tree, by the way, it has poisonous juice and clean it up yellow leaves it is necessary to wear gloves and cut with scissors, and even when his seeds ripen, "shooting" will begin in all directions

Euphorbia) 100 points!

Is the cat British?

A kind of euphorbia (milkweed). Propagated by "self-sowing" If it stands among other plants, then seedlings can be expected in all pots.

And your cat is amazingly beautiful!

Euphorbia white-veined (white-veined)

Tatyana is right - white-veined spurge
Sorry - shifter

This is Euphorbia, or Euphorbia (Euphorbia) of the Euphorbia family. Homeland - subtropics of Africa, America, about Madagascar. This extensive family of succulent plants includes about 2,000 species. Many of its representatives are huge and therefore inaccessible for growing at home. This particular species - White-veined Euphorbia Euphorbia leuconeura - is one of the most common in recent times, milkweed. In nature, up to 1.5 m in height, has a distinct ribbed trunk. The leaves in the lower part of the trunk gradually die off and remain at the top, from which this plant is often called the "palm". The leaves are long, oval-ovate, dark green with distinct veins. It blooms with small inconspicuous flowers. The fruit is a capsule, the seeds from which often "shoot" and scatter when ripe. Like all spurges, it does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil - the leaves turn yellow and fly around.

CARE TIPS

Temperature: Moderate in summer they are kept at 20-25°C. In winter, the dormant period at a temperature of about 16°C, at least 10-12°C.

Lighting: Bright lighting in both winter and summer. Euphorbias love a lot of light, but you need to gradually accustom them to the direct sun in spring and summer so that burns do not remain. The best place for milkweed - the windowsill of the south or southeast window. Make sure that there is enough lighting in winter.

Watering: Moderate in spring and summer, about twice a week, reduced in autumn, and very rare in winter when kept cool. Succulent species, for example, are watered about once a month in winter. Water for irrigation is used soft, room temperature. During the period of growth and flowering, the soil of euphorbia should not dry out completely.

Fertilizer: During the period of growth and flowering, they are fed with a special fertilizer for indoor plants, top dressing every two weeks. For flowering species of euphorbia, potash fertilizers are used, for non-flowering species, fertilizers for cacti can be used.

Air humidity: Euphorbia is resistant to dry air, but regular spraying with warm water is very beneficial.

Transplantation: Soil - 1 part sod, 1 part leaf, 1 part peat land, 1 part sand and brick chips. Young plants are transplanted annually or every other year, old ones after two to three years.

Reproduction: Cuttings, for this they are dried in the air, and the cuts on the mother plant are sprinkled with crushed coal. Seeds.

A plant called "crassula" or "crassula" is not known to everyone. But Money Tree(the tree of love, the tree of happiness, the monkey tree) is known to everyone. But in fact, all this is the designation of the same succulent plant, beloved by flower growers for its unpretentious and docile nature. However, you need to know some subtleties of caring for this plant.

A little about the money tree

The homeland of the money tree is the arid tropics of Africa, Madagascar, South Arabia. It's all about the plant's ability to accumulate a large number of moisture in the leaves, which means that the money tree is not afraid of any interruptions in rain.

There are several types of crassula - a tree-like crassula, a money tree or a tree-like cotyledon. The money tree is also called the silver fat woman and the oval fat woman. The color of the leaves is the most diverse - green, dark green, silvery, with a shiny surface, reddish border, with red spots.

All varieties of the money tree feel great at home and can reach 2 meters in height.

How to care for a money tree

Transfer

You can propagate the fat woman by leaf cuttings or processes. Leaf cuttings are rooted in the soil a couple of days after separation or placed in water until the roots appear.

For a money tree, soil designed for cacti is perfect. The mixture should be as follows: turf ground (1 part), leaf ground (3 parts) and sand (1 part), with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. Humus, ash, clay and brick chips will be required. Don't forget about good drainage.

The money tree is transplanted as it grows, approximately 1 time in 2 years, depending on the growth process. It is necessary to take into account the following feature of fat women - root system can not always keep a tall branched tree in a bowl, the plant will fall, be damaged. To avoid this, you need to choose a heavy and deep pot, commensurate with the height of the plant.

top dressing

Crassula is fed in the period April-September. Use a universal fertilizer or a special one designed for cacti and other succulents. Top dressing is carried out once a month. From September to April, i.e. feed all cold months once a month, but reduce the concentration of the solution by 2 times. Apply fertilizer to moist soil after watering.

Watering

In winter, autumn, the plant is watered less often than in warm periods. In spring and summer, the soil should be slightly moist before watering, in autumn and winter it should be almost dry. For a money tree, an excess of moisture is always more dangerous than a shortage, especially in winter period. Excess moisture makes the plant vulnerable to fungal diseases: the leaves begin to turn yellow, darken and fall off. In case of illness, the crassula must be removed from the bowl, the soil dried, and the root system treated with special preparations.

Creation of comfortable conditions

For Crassula, you need to immediately determine permanent place. The plant loves lighted places, light partial shade is also suitable. The main condition is that the money tree should not be under the influence of bright sunlight. The tree does not need high humidity - you don’t even need to spray it, but once every one and a half months you should still wipe the leaves from dust with a damp cloth or cloth.

Diseases dangerous for the money tree

because of insufficient watering dry brown spots may appear on the leaves. But soft brown spots are a fungal disease (how to deal with it, see "watering").

If you notice rot at the base of the stem, this is root rot, which is difficult to deal with. It is necessary to cut off all parts infected with rot, transplant the money tree into a clean pot with new earth. The most drastic method is to cut off the top of the tree and start growing it again. But these methods will only help if the roots of Crassula are alive - not dark and not soft.

The money tree is extremely rarely affected by pests. If this happens, then the plant is treated with universal remedies for specific pests.

There is an opinion that the money tree feels close to the one who cares for him so much that if this person is stressed or his physiological condition worsens, the crassula begins to hurt and wither.

Irina ASTASHOVA

Crassula, or money tree.

The plant known to many as the money tree is called Crassula. The genus Crassula belongs to the Crassula family, unites annual and perennial succulents, distributed mainly in southern hemisphere. The birthplace of various types of crassula is Africa, or rather its arid southern and southwestern regions, Arabian Peninsula, Madagascar.

The inhabitants of arid regions have an unusual decorative appearance, and therefore many of them are bred at home. We will find out how to care for a money tree, what problems you may encounter during cultivation, and what are the ways to solve them.

According to various sources, from 300 to 500 varieties belong to the genus Crassula. Among them there are dwarfs, whose height does not exceed a few centimeters, and large trees, towering 3-4 meters. Most species are perennials, but there are also annual specimens that die immediately after flowering.

Most representatives have erect or creeping herbaceous stems. There are shrubs with juicy fleshy or woody trunks, tall tree-like representatives. Juicy and fleshy, covered with a wax coating, Crassula leaves with a yellowish, greenish or blue tint turn red or cherry in the sun.

Crassula plant was named for the characteristic structure of the leaves and stems: the word "crassus" from the Latin language is translated as "thick". Hence another name for Crassula - fat woman. Original appearance, unpretentiousness to conditions environment, simple care at home made the fat woman popular with flower growers.

Beneficial features

For its healing properties money flower sometimes called a living tree.

Many people know that the fat woman has positive energy. But not everyone knows that such a money tree has healing properties, is a filter plant. Phytoncides secreted by Crassula have pronounced antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, disinfect indoor air.

Crassula juice is used to treat:

• herpes, insect bites, cuts, abscesses, bruises (as lotions);
• sore throats, inflammation of the gums (in the form of rinses);
• arthritis, other diseases of the joints (rubbing is carried out before bedtime).

Parts of the plant as a medicine are strictly forbidden to be taken orally - they contain a large amount of arsenic.

Kinds

There are three types of common tree-like crassula.

1. Crassula oval (or ovoid). The most common type of tree, which in nature reaches a height of 3 m, in an apartment does not exceed 1.5 m. This money tree is unpretentious in care, tolerates shade better than others.
2. Crassula tree. A plant with bare branches and a trunk, fleshy flat leaves of an ovoid form. White or pale pink flowers of the plant are collected in panicle inflorescences. But the money tree (otherwise the tree-like fat woman) very rarely blooms when grown at home, does not tolerate shade.
3. Crassula silvery (purslane). Unlike the two previous types of tree, this money flower is much smaller in size. Otherwise, the silver crassula is very similar to the oval and tree varieties.

Of the creeping plants, crassulas are more common than others:

1. lycopsform (mossy);
2. pseudomoss;
3. milky;
4. point;
5. tetrahedral;
6. Cooper.

The genus fat woman is distinguished by a variety of species, among which there are even specimens for the aquarium. However, the most widespread in home floriculture was the tree-like fat woman.

Home care

Caring for a fat woman is not difficult. In fact, caring for a money tree includes moderate watering, periodic top dressing, removing dust from the leaves, pruning and crown formation.

Lighting

The shape of the fat woman can change depending on the intensity of illumination: with a lack of light, the trunks are stretched, become thin, with an excess, on the contrary, they thicken.

The fat woman, or money tree, should be placed in places with sufficient lighting, optimally - from the southeast side. This rule is recommended not only by flower growers, but also by Feng Shui experts.

It is important to ensure that direct drops do not fall on the flower. Sun rays, from which the plant turns red, wilts and leaves fall. In summer, the tree-like fat woman feels good and comfortable on the balcony, and in the cold season it is better to transfer the plant to south-facing windows.

Watering

How often to water depends on the temperature. You need to water the money tree:

• twice a week - in the heat;
• once every 7 days - at normal temperature;
• once every 20-30 days - in winter.

The person caring for the plant must ensure that the earth is not excessively wet, but does not dry out either. It is better to water the plant in the evening, with warm settled water.

Humidity

Crassula tolerates moisture deficiency well and does not require regular spraying. accumulated on the surface sheet plates Dust can be removed with a damp cloth. Crassula responds well to warm showers, which are carried out once every 2-3 months, covering the ground with a film.

Temperature

In spring and summer, the optimum temperature for the plant is from 20 to 25 ° C, it is desirable that the flower be on a balcony or street - living tree does not tolerate deficiency fresh air. In winter, the plant is comfortable at a temperature of about 15 ° C and below, but not less than 4 ° C.

At room temperature, the flower can also overwinter, but it will most likely begin to wither and fall off the leaves. It is better not to place a money tree flower near radiators.

How to transplant a money tree

How to transplant a money tree, you can learn from experienced flower growers. Transplantation is carried out every 2-3 years, not more often, and only if necessary - if the flower has grown greatly.

The plant is transplanted in the spring (preferably in May) into a pot slightly larger than the previous one. The soil for transplanting a fat woman is taken ordinary, purchased, intended for planting cacti and succulents.

Such a soil substrate can be prepared independently by mixing part of the soddy soil and sand with three parts of leafy soil. If you add a handful of humus, clay, ash to the ground, rise nutritional value soil. In order for the transplanted flower to grow well, it is important not to forget about drainage - expanded clay or chipped shards.

In a pot filled with drainage material and earth by a quarter, the roots of the plant are placed along with a clod of earth. Then the voids are filled with a new soil substrate. After transplanting, the flower is well watered. The earth is periodically loosened to improve the oxygen supply of the roots, and if the soil sags, the top layer is poured into the pot.

If the root has become too long, it must be shortened before planting.

How to cut a fat woman

To create beautiful decorative look you need to prune the money tree. Flower crown formation begins while the tree is still young. When the height of the fat woman reaches 15–20 cm, pinch off two small upper leaves. As a result, branching will begin in this place, instead of two, four leaves will appear. As the crassula grows top sheets removed in places where branching of the shoots is expected.

Is it possible to cut the stems and leaves of an adult plant? It is possible, but in this case, stumps remain in place of the truncated shoots, spoiling the appearance of the crassula.

How to grow a money tree?

In order for the plant to grow well and please the eye, it is important to know some of the features of the crassula and the rules of cultivation.

planting

To grow a beautiful money tree, you need not only to properly care for the plant, but also to plant it correctly. A pot for crassula needs a small and shallow, but wide and heavy, stable. In a deep container, the root of the plant tends down, and the crassula itself stretches up, because of which the trunk becomes thin and weak.

What land is needed for planting crassula? The soil for the money tree should consist of equal amounts of leafy, soddy soil and sand. You can use soil containing three parts of soddy soil, one part of humus and leafy soil, sand, brick chips or fine gravel. After planting the plant, a small fat woman is kept at a temperature of 16 to 18 ° C, watered once a day.

top dressing

A living tree is fed with liquid fertilizers for cacti and succulents. In summer, top dressing is carried out twice a month, the rest of the time - once a month. The concentration of fertilizers is also reduced by half. Fertilizers are applied to moist soil - immediately after watering.

Other important points

1. The fat woman loves constancy, so you should not often rearrange the pot from one place to another.
2. Lack of light can lead to elongation of the trunk and mass leaf fall.
3. In winter, Crassula has a dormant period. At this time, it is better to put the plant in a room with a temperature of about 5 ° C, water it no more than once every 20 days.
4. When placing crassula on the windowsill, it is important to ensure that the leaves do not come into contact with the glass.

Growing problems

Spots on the leaves are a sign of scale damage.

1. spider mite. When attacked by a tick, the leaves and stems of the plant are covered with a thin cobweb. A soapy solution, Actellik, Fitoverm, Fufanon will help to cure a living tree.
2. Shchitovka. Shield damage can be identified by yellow and brown spots appearing on the surface of the leaves. The fight against the scale insect is carried out in the same way as the destruction of the spider mite.
3. Mealybug. A solution is used to kill the pest laundry soap, insecticides. If there are few insects, they can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

In addition to the attack of pests when growing a money tree, other problems may arise:

• rotting of the roots and base of the trunk - with an excess of moisture (crassula should not be watered often);
• wilting of leaves - in case of moisture deficiency;
• shedding of leaves - when watering cold water, in a draft, with a lack of fresh air.

The fat woman reacts poorly to drafts, due to which all the leaves of the plant can dry out and crumble.

How it blooms

Crassula very rarely blooms even among experienced flower growers.

It turns out that a living tree can bloom. However, to achieve the appearance of flowers is very difficult even for professional florists who know exactly how to properly care for the plant.

Most often, beautiful white flowers appear on the plant when the fat woman is actively growing. Delicate flowers emit pollen, and therefore some people may develop an allergy during the flowering period of the fat woman.

reproduction

Reproduction of the money tree is carried out:

• cuttings;
• seeds.

cuttings

Cuttings are the easiest way to propagate a money tree. Crassula reproduces by stem segments and leaves. large sheet or the shoot is cut with a sharp knife. The cuttings are placed in a container with water until the roots grow. In order for the root system to form faster and the stem not to rot, charcoal can be added to the water.

If desired, cuttings can be immediately planted in the ground, but in order for a living tree to take root better, it is recommended to germinate the cuttings. Cuttings with roots are planted in a pot with a diameter of 5-7 cm with a soil substrate consisting of equal amounts of soddy and leafy soil, sand.

seeds

Crassula flower can be propagated by seeds. They are sown in wide containers filled with a mixture of leafy soil (2 parts) and sand (1 part), covered with glass. Every day, the crops are ventilated, the condensate is wiped off the glass. Two weeks after planting, the seeds germinate.

Seedlings are planted in soil, consisting of leafy soil (1 part), soddy soil and sand (½ part each). A container with seedlings is placed under a bright diffused lighting. The grown crassulas are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 5 to 7 cm in the soil, consisting of equal parts of leafy and soddy soil, sand. Until the sprouts take root, they are kept at a temperature of 16–18 ° C. Then the crassula is moved to a permanent place.

Where could I buy

Money tree can be purchased in specialized flower shops, greenhouses and online stores. The cost of Crassula varies widely, depending on the type of plant, its age and size.

Average prices for crassula:

• Crassula Ovata (height 20 cm) - 600 rubles;
• Crassula Ovata (35 cm) - 1,390;
• money tree (70 cm) - 8,500;
• Crassula the Hobbit (50 cm) - 3,700 rubles.

The money tree is unpretentious, and caring for a fat woman will not cause any special problems. But in order for the plant to not only grow well, but also attract financial well-being, you can’t just buy a fat woman - you need to grow a money tree yourself from a small process. Caring for plants is very simple - even novice flower growers can grow money flowers.