- Reasons to prune Pachira aquatica
- The best time to cut back
- Cut lucky chestnuts as bonsai
- Grow new offshoots of money chestnuts
- Water after cutting
Basically, it is not necessary to cut a lucky chestnut or Pachira aquatica. As long as you have the space and the plant is thriving, just let it grow. However, since lucky chestnuts tolerate pruning well, you can cut them back if they have grown too big or if you want to grow new offshoots.
Young shoots can be cut as cuttings
Reasons to prune Pachira aquatica
- shorten length
- Breeding as bonsai
- Propagation of the lucky chestnut
The best time to cut back
The best time to prune lucky chestnuts is early spring. However, you can always cut back the plants if the ambient temperature is high enough. It should be around 20 degrees.
Don't leave the leftovers - especially the trunks - of the money tree when there are children in the house. The sap of the plant is considered slightly toxic.
Cut lucky chestnuts as bonsai
Since lucky chestnuts are so easy to cut, the trees can also be cut as bonsai. However, the Hawaiian method of growing Pachira aquatica in a lava rock is more common.
Grow new offshoots of money chestnuts
To gain offshoots, take cuttings. Spring is the best time to propagate lucky chestnut trees.
Simply place the cuttings in a glass of water. After roots have formed, plant the cuttings in prepared pots. If you want to put them in the substrate right away, you must first coat the interfaces with rooting powder.
Water after cutting
After pruning a money tree, you should water the plant. If possible, submerge the root ball in a bucket of water. Let the liquid dry well and immediately pour off the water from the coaster or flower pot.
Do not fertilize the lucky chestnut immediately after cutting, but wait a while.
Do not place a freshly cut lucky chestnut in direct sunlight. In the first few weeks you will do better in a bright, non-sunny location.
tips
If the lucky chestnut gets a lot of yellow leaves, it is usually in an unfavorable location. Often it is too dark, too humid or too cool in the place. This also applies if the plant loses an excessive number of leaves.