Crazy Treeline more popularly known as Money Tree. There are some more official names - it is Crassoule, the monkey tree, the tree of happiness and love. The name was due to the shape of the leaves, they are similar to coins. It is believed that it attracts positive energy and improves the welfare of the owner.
The fat woman belongs to the genus of succulents. She comes from South Africa and Madagascar. There are many species of this plant. The most common is Columbian arborescence (Crassula arborescens).
Plant description
The fatty woman has a woody trunk, on which there are many branches with fleshy leaves. They are rounded very similar to coins. The leaves have a dark green color with a shiny surface. They grow up to 10 cm in length and 7 cm in width.
It grows pretty big. In height reaches 150 cm, in the volume of the same dimensions. Reaching 10 years Crassula blooms. Flowers consist of 5 white petals. Sometimes the petals can be yellow or red.
Since the money tree belongs to succulents, it has the characteristic features of this group. Root system adapted to the conditions moisture deficit. It can easily survive the lack of moisture. Liquid accumulates in its tree-like stem and fleshy leaves.
Jade is tree care at home
Crassula is quite easy to maintain. The most important condition for maintenance is calm. By following the simple rules of tree care, you can achieve good growth and flowering.
Landing
After buying aboutbe sure to transplant in a pot with prepared ground mix. In stores for transportation serves peat mixture. It is not suitable for permanent growth of the money tree.
A young tree grows rather quickly. Therefore, it requires an annual transplant.. An adult changes every 2-3 years, in April or May. After landing in the new soil need careful watering to avoid rotting of the root system.
Crassula has a very heavy ground part and weak rhizomes. Therefore, for planting chosen pots shallow, but wide. If the plant is an adult, then after transplantation it can be strengthened with the help of props. Props remove after 2-3 months.
Lay a drainage layer on the bottom. You can use expanded clay or crushed brick.
Priming
Ready land mix for planting can be purchased at the store. With self-made the mixture is taken in 1 part sand, deciduous soil and humus, and 4 parts of sod land. To prevent diseases of the root system, birch coals are added to the soil.
Watering
Money tree loves moderate watering. It is easier to tolerate a lack of moisture than its excess.
In the spring and summer months, water when the soil dries out about 4 cm. In the winter period, watering should be done no more than once every 3-4 weeks. For irrigation, use soft water, which settled for 3-4 days.
Air humidity
Additional moisture for the money tree is not required. Spraying is done exclusively to remove dust from the foliage, as well as prevent the occurrence of pests.
Top dressing and fertilizer
Universal fertilizers for succulents are used for top dressing. Fertilize the soil no more than 1 time. per month. In the winter, 0.5 parts are applied after moistening the soil.
Temperature conditions
In the spring and summer months it is desirable that the temperature ranged between 19 and 25 degrees. In the fall, lower the room temperature to 17 degrees. In winter, the temperature should be 15-17 degrees. At observance of temperature condition the plant will develop correctly.
Light mode
Crassula loves to be in the sun. The most suitable location on the southeast windows. In the warm spring days, and in the summer to take out a small tree on fresh air, on a balcony or in a garden. In winter, with a small amount of lighting, placement is made on the south windows. And also to create additional lighting, extend the daylight time to 10 hours.
Breeding
Propagated by cuttings and seeds.
By cuttings it propagates with the help of stems or leaves. Escape or leaf cut off with a sharp knife. Cut the stalk to leave for 2-3 days to dry, and then land in a wide tank with prepared soil and drainage. You can immediately plant cuttings. But for this, the place of cutting is processed with wood ash or pounded activated carbon.
Seeds are sown in a flat container. Add another piece of sand to the soil before sowing. Cover the container with glass or plastic wrap and daily spray the soil. After the appearance of sprout with 2-3 leaves, the young sprout is transplanted into a separate pot.
Plant size
In nature, it grows up to 5 m in height. At home, rarely grows more than 1.5 m.
Growth per year
The annual growth of the tree in height is no more than 5-7 cm. It also branches and grows in width.
Plant lifespan
Under natural conditions, the fat woman lives 70-90 years. At home, with proper care, the plant will live for about 50 years.
Pruning
Pruning is done to give the crown aesthetic appearance and breeding. And also when there are more than 6 pairs of leaves on a branch. It is cut behind the last pair of leaves. This is done to develop daughter cuttings.
Formation
The classic form of crassula is considered a tree. To give this form plant no more than one plant in a pot and also pinch it in time. This is done when 4 pairs of leaves grow on a branch. Pinch between 4 and 5 with a pair of nails or sharp scissors. At the site of the cut, after 2-3 weeks, two new shoots will appear.
Diseases and pests
Of the diseases most common are fungal diseases and root decay.
When infected with a fungal infection, brown, sometimes light spots will appear on the leaves. Affected leaves are gently removed. The whole plant is treated with a fungicide purchased in the store.
Root decay occurs due to excessive watering. Leaves become sluggish, turn yellow and fall off over time. To the plant did not die it needs to be transplanted into a new soil. Pull over the gently from the pot and rinse the roots with warm running water. Remove affected areas of the root system with a knife or scissors. Cut the cuts with wood ash. After landing in the new soil to reduce watering to a minimum.
Crassula is resistant to pests. But it still happens that it is affected by a spider mite, a shield, and a mealy worm.
With the defeat of spider mite a mesh of thin web appears between the branches, and yellowish spots appear on the leaves. Crassula first spray with soap-alcohol solution. You can swab moistened with ant alcohol, process the trunk of a tree.
The first signs of the appearance of a scythe are the presence of brown rounded tubercles on the leaves.
Brown spots will begin to grow on the green leaves, they will begin to wither and fall. To destroy shchitovki used soapy water.
With the defeat of the mealybug, a gray, fluffy bloom forms on the leaves. Treat the tree immediately with insecticide solution.
With the right content, the wood tree will grow for many years, please with its beautiful crown. And after 10 years it is likely to bloom. In addition, the money tree attracts wealth to the house.
A photo
Next you can see the photo of Junkie Treelike: