How to properly form the crown of a money tree

Many of us have a money tree - "Crassula", or "fat woman", sometimes it is also called the "tree of happiness", but it does not always grow beautiful. Due to mistakes in care, the plant stretches upward, its branches are thin, long, and the leaves are only at the top.

Fat woman, or Crassula (Crаssula) - "Money tree"

Unfortunately, in a city apartment it is extremely difficult to create ideal conditions for crassula, so the tree must be formed and it is advisable to start doing this when it is still very small.

Crassula (Crаssula) is a genus of succulent plants in the Crassula family. Includes about 300 species. Many of these species are used in indoor floriculture. The people often call the fat woman a "money tree".

For what purposes is succulent pruning carried out?

In the natural environment, Crassula can grow up to one and a half meters in height, however, domestic specimens are much more compact and modest. Its shoots are cut off for a number of reasons:

1. For enhancing decorative properties, giving a beautiful shape.
2. To improve the stability of the flower, overgrown, decaying bushes often die. Their superficial root system cannot hold the weighty crown of the succulent and literally falls out of the pot.
3. To form a strong main trunk - in this case, the fat woman needs a methodical deep pruning.
4. To facilitate the care of a green pet, replanting, watering the plant, removing damaged branches is much more difficult if it consists of overgrown, twisted, too long shoots. Hygienic pruning solves this problem.

Experienced flower growers advise not to delay pruning an adult money tree and carry it out as early as possible. The flower will tolerate the procedure much better and recover faster if a small number of shoots are removed.

The main pruning is done in early spring, before the tree enters the active growing season. Corrective action can be carried out in the summer by shortening asymmetrical, highly elongated shoots. It is recommended to pinch the growth points that are located on the lateral branches.

In order for the crown of the succulent to form correctly, pruning is carried out more than once, focusing on the restoration of the bush after cutting off the branches and foliage.

It is very simple to process small sprouts, it is enough to break off the lower leaves and branches, which will strengthen the central trunk.

The pruning of an adult Crassula is deeper, after the event there are many branches that, if desired, can be used for grafting a succulent. Curved cuttings are trimmed so that only straight lines remain. Their lower part is freed from the leaves and sent for rooting - in a container with water or soil substrate.

Further care

Caring for a fat woman is simple, it includes standard procedures in the form of regular watering, fertilizing, and transplants. Crassula also needs to be placed in favorable conditions for her. The flower grows best in good light. It must be placed on the southern windowsill and shaded from direct sunlight.

In spring and summer, the optimum temperature for keeping is + 18 ... + 23 ° С. During the rest period, the temperature must be significantly reduced - to + 13 ° C.

Fresh air is important for Crassulla. Therefore, the room where it grows should be ventilated more often, protecting it from drafts. It is advisable to place the fat woman in a room where the air humidity can be maintained above 50%. The optimal amount of moisturizing is 2 times a week, at a temperature of + 18 ... + 23 ° С - 1 time per week. Water the plant when the top soil layer dries up. It does not like spraying. You just need to periodically wipe the sheets with a damp cloth.

From spring to autumn, it is recommended to feed the fat woman 2 times a month, in winter - 1 time a month. Fertilizers designed for succulents and cacti are suitable for this indoor crop. The dosage should be calculated based on the one indicated in the instructions. Since the flower is characterized by slow growth rates, the transplant is carried out 1 time in 3-4 years.

Plant pruning methods

There are several different schemes, the suitable one is chosen based on what shape of the crown the florist wants to get:

A tree with a powerful central trunk

To strengthen this part of the succulent, a young fat woman should be cut off, removing not only the branching shoots, but also the lower foliage. If you need to strengthen the central trunk of an age tree, then you need to prune all the shoots and be sure to fertilize it.

It is better to plan the procedure in the spring, until the plant has entered a period of active growth. At the end of autumn, it is recommended to pinch the upper part of the shoots.

Crassula, which has a thick central trunk and a crown of hanging apical shoots

Such a formation is possible only if measures were previously taken to strengthen the trunk of the fat woman. Otherwise, the thin trunk may not withstand the load and break under the weight of branches and foliage. That is, you should initially pay attention to pruning, due to which the trunk becomes large and powerful, and only then leave the shoots in the upper part of the succulent.

Formation of a compact, low bush

So that the flower does not stretch, but turns into a lush, voluminous bush, it is rarely watered and the foliage on the trunk is regularly removed.

Sprawling shrub

The formation of the crown of a money tree according to this type is a simple process. To do this, it is necessary to pinch the shoots growing from the apical buds so that the shoots branch out from the sinuses located below the cut.

Some growers plant several succulents in one container and then a luxurious bush is formed from their shoots. However, this method is considered inappropriate, since the plants, growing, begin to oppress each other, suffering from a lack of space and nutrition, their development slows down over time and may stop altogether.

The formation of the crown is influenced not only by pruning or its absence, but also by the conditions in which the flower is kept.

Methods for creating a beautiful and fluffy crown

There are the following methods for forming a beautiful and fluffy crown of a money tree:

• Pruning... Pruning the bastard should be as needed, but only once a year - in early spring. This method consists in shortening already grown tree branches to a certain length, depending on the shape of the crown. Excess branches that make the crown too thick must be cut off completely. The operation is carried out with a sharp knife or garden shears;
• Topping - method of removing unnecessary growth points. They are pinched without waiting for a strong elongation of the shoot. After that, the branches of the bastard begin to branch intensively. Pinching is a process that does not have a clear execution time. It is carried out as needed;
• Complex method. Most quickly, the crown of a fat woman is formed by an integrated method. The plant should be pruned in early spring. During the growing season, monitor the growth of shoots and pinch them as needed.

Features of the content

Why does a decorative money tree at home turn into a loose, ugly plant with crooked, thin and long branches? Perhaps we are talking about a violation of the conditions of care and maintenance of this tropical inhabitant. So, the thinning and stretching of succulent branches often occurs due to abundant watering and a lack of light.

Overflow can be called the most dangerous mistake of a grower, due to which succulent vegetation dies. Being in waterlogged soil, the rhizome of the succulent becomes infected with rot and dies, and excessive saturation of the trunk with moisture leads to a violation of its structure and further breakdown.

The correct selection of capacity is also important for the correct formation of the bush. If it grows in a shallow, wide pot, then it gives a large number of lateral processes and does not stretch upward.

We create conditions as close as possible to the natural environment.

Crassula argentea is a Latin name, popularly called Crassula and Crassula, Zhiryanka, Bear's Ear and Money Tree. A tree-like succulent plant native to South Africa, where there are more than two hundred species, many of which are used for indoor cultivation.

In home floriculture, for the normal growth and development of the plant, the growing conditions must be the same as in the natural environment:

• organize soil drainage;
• provide abundant daylight;
• do sufficient watering in the summer;
• organize access to fresh air during the period of intensive growth;
• maintain drier soil in winter, during dormancy.

With the goal of growing a beautiful money tree, not just bushy bushes, start by planting a single scion in a small, flat market. In order for your fat woman to be lush, with well-branched branches, you need to plant only one plant. If there are several shoots in the pot, this is easy to fix by planting plants. Then you can proceed to the gradual correct formation of the crown. When three, sometimes four pairs of leaves appear, the next bud must be pinched. It is best to use tweezers, but you can also use your fingers, trying not to harm the delicate leaves.

How to form the crown of a young succulent?

You can start pinching the growth points when several pairs of leaves appear at the fat woman. This will produce a plant with a bushy crown. If the owner wants to grow a tree, then you should wait with this procedure.

Pruning the shoots of a young succulent with a central trunk, preferably taking into account the following principles:

1. You need to break out the small processes growing at the bottom of the trunk. As for old, damaged foliage, it usually falls off on its own, so you can do without removing it.
2. It is important to adhere to symmetry so that the tree does not warp later. To do this, single branches are removed, and long ones are pinched.
3. Lateral branches, which are to become skeletal, should be trimmed tops, which stimulates their further branching. It is better to shorten to the fifth sixth pair of leaves. If you remove more, the branches will "thicken" the crown of the succulent.
4. If the branches are long, lignified and branch themselves, then their growing point is pinched. Branches with large bare areas are cut slightly to leave a few pairs of leaves.
5. Growers are advised to leave small shoots located at the top of the central trunk, as they can later become branches of the first order, that is, skeletal. If over time they do not turn into a plant frame and turn out to be superfluous, they can be cut off.
6. To limit the overall height of the succulent, cut the top branches at the same level. Such procedures make it a neat, spherical bush.
7. Even if Crassula has a thick, strong trunk, too long, branchy shoots reduce its resistance, increasing the load on the root system. Therefore, it is better to cut them off in time.
8. And if there is a curvature of the trunk, then it also requires pruning, and the removed top can not be disposed of, but completely rooted. The event is carried out taking into account the general rules - it should be cut off 1 cm above a pair of buds, the place of the environment is covered with a layer of garden varnish.
9. Removing small shoots helps to strengthen the trunk, this is important for trees in which this part is weak.
10. A tall pot stimulates the growth of a money tree in height, if a tall fat woman is required, it is better to plant it in a container with high walls.
11. To disinfect the cut sites, especially if thick branches have been removed, they should be treated with disinfectants.

Caring for a fat woman at home after pruning

Immediately after trimming, the fat woman must be rearranged to partial shade. Decreased lighting promotes faster healing of injuries. It should also be noted that under intense lighting there is a risk that the tree will begin to shed its leaves. After 2 weeks, you can start replanting the tree.

Transplanting the fat woman into new soil contributes to the speedy build-up of green mass.

The plant is transplanted by transshipment into a pot with a larger diameter. You should not take a very spacious flowerpot. It should be 1 cm larger than the previous one. A drainage layer up to 3 cm thick is laid on the bottom of the pot.

The transplanted tree should also not be exposed to bright light immediately. After transplanting, it is advisable to keep it in partial shade for another 1 week, and then resume bright lighting. If the jellyfish transplant was carried out last year, it should not be transplanted again.

In this case, you can get by with regular feeding. If a transplant is not necessary, the plant can be brought into the light after 2 weeks in partial shade. Watering after pruning does not change. In the event that the plant is transplanted, after transplanting it is not watered for 2-3 days.

It is advisable to feed the fat woman with fertilizers for succulents.

They nourish the bastard much better than other houseplant formulations. But if there are no special fertilizers, you can use mixtures for decorative foliage plants. They are diluted to obtain half the concentration.

Features of pruning an old fat woman

An old succulent, which has never been cut or pinched, grows too long branches, often breaking due to its own weight. The plant becomes unnecessarily thickened, untidy, needs additional fastening to the support. How to rejuvenate Crassula with pruning and improve its appearance? A cardinal procedure will be required:

1. It is necessary to choose the strongest of the trunks, which will become the central one.
2. Weakened shoots located at the bottom of the trunk are removed.
3. Long, strong branches are cut to leave 1-2 living buds, 1-1.5 cm above them. The remaining "hemp" later dry up and fall off on their own. If you make a cut very close to the bud, then it may not wake up, and then you should not wait for fresh shoots and leaves. It is recommended to shorten the upright branches that form a tree-like shape less. You can make a "test run", cut off some branches, watch how the buds will grow and later repeat the manipulation more thoroughly.
4. Small shoots that thicken the crown and large leaves should be removed. This will improve air ventilation in the crown, access to light and nutrients. Growth points in the remaining branches are pinched, at least by one internode. Without this procedure, the development and growth of shoots will accelerate, which will negatively affect the state of the "dormant" buds and slow down their awakening.
5. Often in old succulents, trunk roll is observed, in this situation you should take care of corrective support and pruning of branches, because of which the plant tilts to one side.
6. It is advisable to blot the areas damaged during the pruning process with a soft napkin and disinfect the sections using garden varnish or balsam.
7. After the event, the soil should be watered abundantly.

For deep pruning of thick shoots and stems, it is best to use a pruning shear. Parts that are difficult to access can be removed with a sharp utility knife.

If trimming several succulents is required, then it is better to treat the blade of the tool used with a disinfectant to prevent the spread of infectious and other diseases.

It is important! Pinching and removing large leaf plates leads to accelerated branching of the shoots.

When carrying out the procedure, the following nuances should be taken into account:

• first of all, you need to remove creeping, downward shoots, since they reduce the stability of the bastard;
• the plant receives nutrition not only from the soil, but also through photosynthesis, therefore, when cutting off the branches, it is important to leave at least a couple of leaves, otherwise a large branch will begin to dry out;
• any manipulations for home vegetation are a stressful situation, so you should not aggravate the situation of a green pet with a transplant; it is better to postpone this event.

If the procedure is carried out correctly, then after 14–21 days, young leaves will appear from the “sleeping” buds. And when juveniles grow from the shoots at the bottom of the succulent, then you can temporarily leave them so that the trunk thickens. Later, these branches are trimmed so that the crown takes the shape of a tree.

After processing the money tree, carried out in full, he needs to provide the most suitable, familiar conditions. This contributes to the rapid recovery of the succulent. If the flower pot was in partial shade or in the sun, then it should be placed there.

Sometimes the florist sets himself the task of completely changing the shape of the Crassula crown. However, it is impossible to radically act by removing all branches, since a plant with a weakened root system and insufficient photosynthesis dies. It is better to stretch the event for 2-3 procedures, making pruning at intervals, during which the succulent will acquire new branches, foliage and grow stronger.

When making a second pruning, you should take into account in which direction the new branches grow. They should be directed outward and not interfere with existing shoots. Those shoots that grow inside the crown are removed.

Cut with a quality tool

Use a garden pruner, knife, or scissors to trim indoor plants. All tools must be clean and well sharpened. This will allow you to make even cuts, not harm the plants and avoid future rotting.

The fat woman is not whimsical and copes with the restoration itself, so there is no need to cauterize the slices. But if you plan on pruning multiple plants, be sure to sanitize your tools before moving on to the next ward. You will need a couple of minutes to wipe the blade with alcohol or other antiseptics, and for plants this is a guarantee of safety.

Follow these rules and exercise a little patience. It will not be possible to create the perfect shape in one go. But with proper care, the money tree will delight you with a luxurious crown and prosperity in the family.

Crassula bonsai

The Japanese art of growing miniature replicas of real or dwarf plants has not lost its popularity for a long time. Bonsai trees, literally “tray or bowl grown,” are regulated by their flat rhizomes.

It is not difficult to get a mini-tree on your own, including from a fat woman. For these purposes, a succulent of the form Crassula tree-like is suitable. True, it will take more than one year to form a bonsai.

Despite the name "a tree grown in a bowl", it will not work to get a miniature Crassula by placing it in a small pot. With poor nutrition and insufficient watering, the stem will not grow and thicken. Therefore, the succulent needs to be transplanted annually into a larger container.

The formation of a thick trunk is due to the appearance of long shoots. They are not specially cut or removed for 2-3 years, and when the trunk is strengthened and expanded, they are completely cut off.

The cut-stump overgrows after a while, becoming unobtrusive. If necessary, you will have to install supports supporting too long branches, which will protect them from breaking.

If you look closely at the bonsai of the money tree, you can find numerous scars on the surface of the trunk, which indicate that its shoots have been cut many times. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to grow a miniature, squat tree in 7-10 years. In terms of height, a succulent practically does not differ from a 3-year-old plant, however, you cannot call a flower graceful, since its trunk is 8-10 times thicker. When the fat woman reaches this size, it is transplanted into a special bonsai container.

The money tree as the basis for stylish compositions

A money tree, or a fat woman, or crassula is a succulent plant common in our apartments. It is unpretentious, grows well and is decorative enough until a certain time. A "certain time" comes when the branches cannot support the weight of heavy leaves, and the whole plant is overgrown with assorted props. At the same time, the leaves from large and shiny turn into small flaccid indeterminate color.

To prevent this from happening, you need to step on the throat of your own pity and pick up a sharp cutting tool.

I assure you, exactly six months after a serious pruning, you will not recognize your fat woman! And the guests of your home with respect and distrust will consider the bizarre shapes that you gave to your wretched money tree.

And first, let's figure out why a fat woman in apartments so quickly becomes ugly.

Where to start forming a tree?

Pot selection

The diameter of the pot is selected according to the size of the crown: slightly larger than its diameter. As the plant grows, the width of the container needs to be increased. A tree with a voluminous fleshy crown will become more stable. Ideally, the money tree pot should be wide, heavy and flat. A drainage layer is laid out on the bottom.

Not every pot is suitable for a fat woman. Its root grows close to the soil surface. Therefore, a shallow rooting pot will do. The stalk root of the bastard in a deep pot tends downward, and the stem - upward, while thinning and weakening.

The soil

Soil for Crassula is taken light, loose, porous. The money tree does not like fertilized and fertile soil. The composition of the substrate for the fat woman should include humus, sand, leaf and turf soil.

Possible difficulties

The fat woman can be called a hardy plant. It is rarely affected by disease and is resistant to pest infestation. However, if the owner does not adhere to the recommended conditions and ignores the care advice, the plant starts to hurt. Here are the most common difficulties that can arise when growing Crassula:

So, pruning is included in the complex of mandatory measures for caring for the money tree. It allows you to form a beautiful shape, achieve a well-groomed plant appearance, and get an interesting bonsai-style tree.

How to cut correctly to get aesthetically pleasing results?

To form the crown of the money tree, pruning is done. Pruning reasons:

1. Sustainability. When the tree grows, long, chaotically directed branches are formed, the flower needs support. The plant falls apart, shallow roots cannot hold a massive crown.As a result, the tree can topple over, damaging the heavy, fragile branches.
2. Formation of a central stem.
3. Difficult care and transplant.
4. Improvement of decorative properties. If you wish and skill, you can form a crown for any aesthetic taste.

It must be done competently and on time. The pruning method depends on the age of the plant and its condition.

How to give shape so that the fat woman grows beautifully?

It is advisable to start forming a beautiful tree of a fat woman when it is still small. The young plant is not pruned. They pinch her. This procedure slows down the growth in height and promotes intensive growth of side shoots.

Pinch a young plant like this:

1. Take a close look at the top of the shoot. Find a bud of growth. It is located at the very top, among the upper rosette of leaves.
2. Without touching the neighboring leaves, gently pinch it off with your nails or cut it off with nail scissors.

Pruning an adult plant is done in this way:

1. 
   Prepare your tool: garden pruner, sharp knife, long tweezers.

2. Examine the tree and determine which branches do not match your chosen shape.
3. Cut them off carefully and gradually, trying to keep the cut 1-2 cm higher than the bud. This stimulates the development of the plant, growth will become more active.
4. When removing small twigs, cut close to the trunk.
5. Slices do not need to be processed. Just let them dry and tighten.
6. Try to leave miniature leaves at the ends of the branches, removing the rest.

Advice:

• Don't try to form a rounded shape in one go. Repeated pruning gradually stimulates the growth of nearby buds and the bastard will eventually take on the desired shape.
• Do not be afraid to cut off large branches - the plant thus rejuvenates, renews itself, throws out young shoots.
• Use long tongs or tweezers to remove cut leaves and branches from the crown.

How to rejuvenate if it is heavily overgrown?

If the tree is heavily overgrown, it is wise to remove the large leaves. This will open access to light and improve ventilation of the lower and internal sections of the crown, on which young leaves will grow.

What to do for branching to be fluffy and beautiful?

For, in order for the fat woman to be fluffy, that is, with a large number of branches, the following points must be taken into account:

1. Plant only one shoot in the pot. Several plants in one pot form thickets, interfere with each other, weaken.
2. After 3 - 4 pairs of leaves grow on the branches, pluck out the bud between the extreme pair. In this place, over time, 2 - 3 new buds will grow. So the fat woman will begin to branch.
3. Repeat this procedure periodically if necessary.
4. Cut a long branch to the desired size.

How to trim to make it round?

To design a rounded crown, you also need to pinch the upper growth buds of the lateral processes. Thus, the crown will grow up and to the sides at the same time, forming a spherical shape.

How to pinch so that lateral stems appear?

If the trunk of the fat woman does not give lateral stems, just pinch the top. The thick trunk of a money tree can be quickly formed by growing long branches. Long shoots have strong bases. After the branch has gained sufficient thickness, the length is removed. Leaves at the bottom of the trunk are also removed.

The crown of the money tree can be formed at any time of the year, but the beginning of spring is considered optimal. At this time, the active growth of the plant begins.

Next, you can see a photo of a beautifully designed fat woman:

Pruning methods

Before pruning the money tree, if it is heavily overgrown, you need to carefully examine and study the bush. Cutting off small twigs, cuts are made end-to-end with the shoot or right along the length of the trunk, being careful to exclude the ingress of rot inside. It is necessary to determine which stems will be trimmed, the leaves and rudiments on the process are separated in order to form branches.

Working with an adult plant

Usually, small leaves are left at the ends of the branches (shoots), the rest are removed (since they lead to decay of tissues), except for those that grow from below on the woody trunk. They will fall off themselves over time, and the trunk will remain beautiful, without scars and pits. Excess shoots on each branch are gradually removed, leaving the cut level above the dormant growth bud by a few centimeters. It is necessary for the further active development of the flower. Large leaves are removed to create light access to the crown from the inside.

With repeated pruning, densely spaced buds will begin to develop. After the pruning of the crassula has been carried out, the slices are allowed to dry until a film is obtained, they are not covered over so that rot does not develop there. Cut branches and foliage are carefully removed using tweezers or long tongs.

It is recommended that you trim the money tree every week so that it acquires a rounded shape. Then the leaves will be smaller, and the shape of the plant will be more beautiful, while the bush is renewed, and new shoots are growing vigorously. Use a sharp knife or garden pruner for shearing after sterilizing with alcohol.

Important... Pruning a money tree at home should be carried out in a dormant state of the vegetative system so as not to damage the development of the plant.

Working with a young plant

Prune the money tree so that there is a wide trunk, or rather, it must be formed at a young age of the plant. The most important thing for seedlings is the "correct" pot. You need to choose a shallow depth, wide and flat, but heavy container, in which only one seedling is planted. If several shoots grow in it, then continuous thickets will form in one container. The bushes will interfere with each other with long, thin branches. Moreover, there will be few of them for crown formation.

The width of the pot should correspond to the width of the crown, and its heavy weight will prevent an adult plant with long branches from tipping over and falling to the floor. In a tall and too wide pot with a lot of soil, the taproot will stretch downward and the plant trunk upward, making it thin and weak.

Do not forget that there should be small pebbles or gravel in the soil. To get a bonsai from a money tree, it needs to be repotted often - the culture loves it. During the next transplant, the soil and root system are renewed. The long root is shortened if necessary with a sharp and clean knife (pruner) or scissors, then planted in renewed soil and watered as scheduled. After trimming the thickened roots, the new ones will be thinner, they grow more compact.

It's important to know. The sensitive root system needs to be updated when transplanting a young bush no more than 2 times a year, an adult - once every 5 years. Eliminate the roots only 1/3 of the length, without affecting the fresh roots.

Since you need to prune a young money tree so that it grows beautifully, this procedure should be carried out with the lower branches close to the stem. The plant will move in the direction you specify, the trunk will be thick and the crown will be wide. In a small tree, 15 cm high, pinch off 2 leaves from above or more, leaving 2 larger leaves at the end of the branch. When 2 pairs of leaves appear later, do not pinch again, and one pair - the procedure is repeated.

Useful video

Your attention is offered a view of the ways of forming a beautiful crown:

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.

Fat woman, crassula, money tree - the names of the same indoor plant, which pleases flower growers with its unpretentiousness and attractiveness. The peculiarity of this species is that it can be given any shape. Money tree how to form a crown - this needs to be discussed in detail if the formation will be carried out independently, at home.

If necessary?

Many owners of a money tree assume that it does not need any procedures to form a lush crown and a thick trunk, that it has such an appearance by nature.

But in fact, at home, the bastard branches very weakly, grows long and thin, and the branches do not have time to form a hard bark before the formation of thick leaves. This causes the tree to tilt and sometimes break in half.

To prevent such a course of events, the crown of a tree needs a special formation, which can be carried out independently.

Description of the fat woman

Crassula belongs to the family of plants that are dicotyledonous. The genus of succulents assumes the presence of additional volumes to retain moisture inside the tissues. The property helps succulents survive in dry areas and go without water for long periods of time.

Leaves. Moisture retention explains the density and bulk, they have an oval or round shape, are arranged in pairs, the color may differ depending on the species. The money tree has dark green leaves, with a reddish-brown border on the inside.

Stem. It looks like a tree trunk, but in fact it is more fragile and brittle. Like the trunk of a tree, it has a noticeable thickening in the lower section.

Flowers. Flowering occurs only in adult plants, for this it is necessary to provide the plant with ideal conditions for keeping. If it blooms, it will delight the owner for 2-3 months. Flowers - small, white, collected in the inflorescences of the brush. Flowers of other types of Crassula can be red, pink, purple.

Root. The peculiarity of the tap root system is the development of the main root, in contrast to the lateral roots. The root of the bastard does not grow deep into the soil, so thick-walled flower pots are purchased for it. This helps prevent the plant from tipping over.

The fat woman is called the money tree because of the similarity of the leaves with coins. It is believed that she brings good luck to the house, attracts money. These characteristics are based on oriental beliefs, as well as according to the feng shui philosophical movement, which has its followers all over the world.

Pruning an adult fat woman

If the plant has already grown enough, and the pruning has not been carried out properly, a cardinal haircut is necessary to make it more decorative. This will require a garden pruner or a very sharp knife.
Before the procedure, the plant is examined and branches are selected that need to be cut or completely removed to create a beautiful crown. Then they begin to remove unnecessary branches, gradually giving the fat woman the necessary shape. First of all, you should get rid of branches growing down or creeping. It is these branches that weaken the money tree and make it unstable.

When pruning branches, it is necessary to ensure that the cut falls a few centimeters above the growth bud. This will allow the plant to develop more actively, directing its forces to the growth of branches. When pruning, you need to make neat and straight cuts so that the plant recovers faster. Sloppy cut edges and pits can provoke rotting in this place. After each cutting, the cutting edge of the instrument should be sterilized with alcohol. This is to prevent the development of disease. All sections must be blotted with a piece of soft, dry cloth and treated with garden varnish.

If the development of the crown of the bastard is too neglected, then repeated pruning may be required. In this case, the plant is allowed to recover and gain strength, and only then the crown of the tree is finally formed. In the future, it will only be necessary to maintain the decorative state of the crown of the bastard, pinching the buds of growth that are knocked out of the general picture in time. In some cases, the trunk of an old money tree tilts to one side.In this case, you can correct the direction of its growth by tying the trunk to a support and removing the branches that induce the plant to bend.

After finishing pruning, the bastard is left at home, familiar to her, so as not to create additional stress for the plant. It is also better to wait a few weeks with the transplant to allow him to recover. When re-pruning, it is also necessary to take into account the direction of growth of the branches and shape the crown so that the shoots grow out of the plant.

How to recognize a money tree in a photo

Crassula belongs to the type of succulents, which means a special attitude to watering. Due to the fact that succulents can retain moisture, they also have dense, heavy leaves. If one day you see a money tree in a photo, then it becomes impossible to confuse it with other plants. The peculiarity of the plants of the jumbo family is the different shape of the leaves. They can be:

• wedge-shaped;
• oval;
• scaly;
• in the form of a socket;
• accrete, in the form of a rhombus.

The variety of Crassula is amazing, photos and videos about these amazing plants are popular among amateur flower growers.

Photo

Next, you can see a photo of a beautifully designed fat woman:

How to form a crown correctly

Crassula has about 300 species, half of them are the most common. All types have their own characteristics, but a common feature of the plant - the possibility of artificial crown formation, is available to all. The crown is usually formed in order to:

1. Give the look that meets the requirements of the interior.
2. Limit space.
3. Remove non-viable and unattractive shoots.
4. Provide complete care that can be difficult due to overgrowth.
5. Provide a balance between the aboveground and underground parts.
6. Rejuvenate an indoor flower.

How to form a crown

Let's consider the operations in more detail.

Pinching

Wait until three or four pairs of leaves grow on the skeletal branch, and a new bud appears above the latter. It must be carefully twisted with your fingers, without touching the leaves. Pinching is best done with tweezers or nail scissors. After pinching, new lateral shoots will grow from the sinuses of the upper outlet, which will just provide the "splendor" of the crown.

Why exactly these pinching parameters? The answer is simple:

• pinching after the second pair will create excessive thickening;
• if after the fifth and further, long weak branches are formed, which can break off under the weight of the fleshy leaves.

On young plants that have reached the desired height, pinching is done on all shoots for more branching of the fat woman.

Pruning

If crown formation occurs in an adult Crassula with long skeletal branches, then the excess part of the branch is cut off. The cut should be located at a height of 2-3 mm above the last pair of leaves so that there is no ugly hemp left.

Try to make cuts even and straight: cuts that are concave or split with a blunt tool can rot.

It is better to do the pruning in stages: in this case, an exact correspondence to the given crown shape is achieved. In addition, the plant will be able to rest between traumatic operations.

To reduce the thickening of the crown, it is recommended to remove the inner leaves. However, remember that a branch from which all leaves have been removed may dry out!

Slicing processing

All wounds caused to Crassula as a result of pinching or circumcision are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon or ground cinnamon. The opinions of flower growers differ on the use of garden varnish for processing cuts. As a compromise, you can try to treat the wounds of the fat woman with garden balm.

Crown formation scheme

To obtain a decorative neat tree, pruning is required. They begin to remove leaves and branches according to the scheme:

• spring is the main pruning;
• summer - adjustment.

In the spring, the period of time is used that falls on the period of the transition of the Crassula from the resting state to the growth phase. As a rule, this is the end of February or the beginning of March. Summer adjustments include pruning off those leaves and branches that have emerged after the growth phase. The main thing is to adhere to the planned scheme, otherwise the result will not be noticeable.

Forming by cropping

How to prune a money tree at home? This method is used for adult fat women.

Pruning a fat woman is carried out in the phase of active growth - in the spring and summer. Is it possible to cut a fat woman in winter or autumn? - Not. When pruning, the place where the branching will start is carefully chosen.

It is best to follow the "golden rule": count four pairs of leaves and cut the stem-trunk just above the fourth pair, being careful not to leave a noticeable stump, as it will remain in the future.

New shoots will appear near the cut site, which will give rise to young branches. These shoots will need to be pinched, achieving uniform branching and the formation of a beautiful crown of the money tree in the same way: pinch after the fourth pair of leaves.

Pruning stimulates growth and in order for the bastard to form new shoots correctly and the leaves on them develop well, you need to provide appropriate conditions - bright light, moderate watering - and from time to time rotate container with succulent, achieving a uniform increase in green mass.

Topping

Pinching is carried out together with pruning. This method is known to specialists as pinching, which means the removal of the apices from young shoots. It is used to exclude upward growth, for the possibility of developing the lateral parts. The principle of the method is to remove the top of the main shoot when it grows up noticeably. Poorly developing shoots or those that grow inward are subjected to pinching.

When to first pinch

This question is asked more often than others. The first pinching is done when 3 and 4 pairs of leaves appear on a branch. If you pinch a plant with a smaller amount, then, growing, they will begin to interfere with each other. If you leave more pairs, the branches will lengthen and it will be difficult for them to hold dense and heavy sheets.

How to pinch Crassula correctly

Pinching (pinching) of the crassula is carried out until it begins to acquire the desired shape. The shoot is pinched off with rotational movements in order to capture the entire shoot and not leave particles on the branch. As a result of pinching between pairs 3 and 4, branches are formed that do not grow in length, but form a tree with neat identical branches. After the procedure, the pot with the bastard is regularly turned to achieve uniform illumination of all sides.

Pinching Crassula

Pinching is an alternative to pruning the money tree. This is an operation in which the buds are removed at the points of shoot growth. After that, usually instead of a removed bud, 2 young shoots grow, intensive branching begins.
This is a more gentle operation than pruning, as the branches of the tree are less injured.

Pinching is carried out with tweezers or nail scissors, carefully removing the bud without damaging the adjacent leaves. You can remove such a kidney with your fingers. At the same time, they do not tear it off, but twist it.

Pinching is carried out at the moment when the shoot reaches the required length... It should not outgrow, as the overgrown shoot will have to be cut off. Therefore, pinching is carried out at any time of the year as needed, except for the winter dormant period, when the fat woman does not grow.

Trimming, when and how to trim correctly

Florists recommend starting pruning in the first half of the day, so that the fat woman in a renewed form has time to get a portion of daylight. To remove branches, you need to purchase a pruner and a knife with a sharp blade.After pruning, the place is treated with an antiseptic; activated carbon or wood ash is suitable for this. In the spring, before the start of active growth, they begin to cut off the branches:

1. To obtain a tree with a thick stem, remove all shoots and lower leaves. After that, top dressing is introduced, as if fixing the result.
2. A classic bush is formed by trimming excess lateral branches.
3. If you want to get a lush shrub, the shoots are not removed, but the side leaves are disposed of. In this case, it is difficult to determine whether the shoots are interfering with each other, whether there is enough space for them to grow, therefore, it is necessary to inspect the plant as often as possible and rid it of excess shoots.

The trunk is cut over the fourth pair of leaves, the cut is made slightly obliquely, then the place is processed, the remaining cut is placed in a solution of activated carbon for rooting. Do not make indentations in the cut, it can lead to decay.

By a young tree

Crown formation begins when the young tree forms the first shoots. You should not be afraid that the trunk looks naked, the bastard grows quite quickly in the presence of optimal conditions. Pruning rules for crassula with a central thickened stem:

• branches on a young tree are cut symmetrically to each other in order to avoid distortions in the future;
• lateral branches deprive apical shoots for further growth;
• the lower branches and leaves are cut to thicken the trunk;
• places after circumcision are processed.

By the old tree

The fat woman, which has not been pruned, is a shrub with chaotically growing shoots. This prevents the plant from developing and does not carry any aesthetic burden. You can do a lot for an old plant; pruning will add attractiveness and rejuvenate.

Of the available trunks, the strongest and most viable one is selected, the rest will have to be removed. Weak lower shoots are removed with a knife, secateurs. The branches (long and thick) are a problem, they create a noticeable distortion and disfigure the plant. They are removed, stepping back 1 cm from the formed kidney. Sections are treated with garden pitch. Crassula is well spilled.

Formation manipulations sometimes require straightening the trunk or branches, for this they use a snapping. The binding is carried out using a wire, it is wrapped around the trunk in a spiral and carefully tilted in the required direction. For straightening, use a wooden peg, if the curvature is not too difficult, then use the attraction technique.

An adult tree, which is just beginning to be cut and pinched, needs feeding, which is carried out according to a special scheme:

• spring-summer - once a month;
• autumn, winter - once for all months.

For fertilization of succulents, mixtures containing potassium, calcium, nitrogen and phosphorus are used.

Why and when you can cut a fat woman

Pruning a jellyfish or crassula is performed for several purposes:

1. Formation of a beautiful crown, including in the bonsai style.
2. Removal of old, damaged branches.
3. Stimulation of the development of young shoots.
4. Prevention of the development of diseases and pests.

If you do not cut the branches, the plant will look sloppy, too long and heavy branches can lead to the fall of the trunk, break themselves. A thickened crown can cause the development of diseases and pest attacks. Only adult specimens are pruned. Young people do not need this procedure, their branches only need to be pinched. The recommended time for sanitary pruning is the beginning of spring, before the period of active growing season. Corrective pruning and pinching in order to form the crown is carried out in the summer.

Formation of the crown of a money tree like bonsai

Bonsai style - growing a miniature bonsai tree. In order to form a bonsai from a bonsai, you need to get a thick trunk. Crassula varieties are suitable for bonsai, such as:

• "Ovata" or oval, the bush reaches 1 m, the leaves are juicy green, on the lower side they take on a reddish tint, the branches branch profusely;
• "The Hobbit", an interesting specimen that has special fused leaves, as if turned outward;
• arboreal, reaches 1.5 m, the size of the leaves can reach 7 cm in length, this is the largest type of indoor crassula;
• "Tricolor", a feature of this species in the arrangement of white stripes in the middle of the leaf, which has a reddish tint below;
• "California red", has a second name "red jade tree" due to the fact that the leaves are framed with a red border.

Florists recommend these species as the most beneficial for bonsai formation. A prerequisite for the fat woman, from which the bonsai is formed, is an annual transplant. It is necessary to prepare a special container for it. Trays or flat dishes are usually used for bonsai, but the money tree has an extensive network of roots that must develop for the favorable growth of the fat woman itself, and a flat container is not suitable for her. The soil for succulents consists of turf, sand and leafy soil (3 x 1 x 1).

A shallow container is filled with soil, the roots of the fat woman pulled out of the pot are carefully and carefully untangled, the non-viable areas are cut off, straightened over the area of ​​the container and placed on a thin layer of soil, after which they are covered with the remaining earth. For a fat woman, a high-quality drainage layer is required, as well as a container with holes for drainage. When transplanting into a container, large roots are removed from the fat woman, which grow downward. The roots are untangled with a crochet hook.

The tree is set in the soil, then covered with decorative stones, decorative moss is used with care. The soil must be thoroughly watered and the house flower must be placed in a lighted place. Pruning is carried out weekly for a month. The fat woman will retain the bonsai shape if you follow some rules:

• regular feeding of bonsai;
• systematic pruning and pinching;
• root pruning (while avoiding pruning young roots, remove thick and old ones, keeping 1/3 of the same shape).

Bonsai

The top of aesthetic perfection when growing Crassula will be the formation of it bonsai - a dwarf tree of exquisite shape.

On the one hand, the positive effect of pruning on the plant itself and the ease with which new growth centers are formed on it, makes it easier to create bonsai. On the other hand, fragile, brittle stems and leaves complicate such a task.

To make bonsai a success, first of all, carefully choose the capacity for the future tree.

Container should not be too big and shallow - this is the main condition. Depending on the shape of the bonsai, it can be elongated or rounded. It must have drainage holes of sufficient size: stagnant water is harmful to a fat woman, like any succulent native to arid areas.

If the bonsai is grown from a rooted cutting, it is planted in a small and shallow pot, and then, as it develops, it is transplanted into a larger, but still shallow container. The main task of such small dishes is to suspend an overly pronounced growth only upward, because the deeper the main, pivotal root penetrates, the more actively the sprout rises. To prevent the future bonsai tree from stretching, they also use root pruning - this is especially true for the taproot. In the case of too developed roots, they are shortened by a third. After pruning, the root system must be air-dried for a day and only then placed in a container and covered with soil.

Crassula bonsai crown is formed pinching (when grown from cuttings) and pruning (in the case of an adult plant), following the basic rule of pinching or pruning immediately after four pairs of leaves.

Some amateurs still grow miniature money trees with slight bends of the trunk in the horizontal direction, very gradually tilting the tree and carefully wrapping it with wire until the stem-trunk is lignified.

The advantage when growing a bonsai jellyfish is also his fast growth - the result does not need to wait for decades, as when creating a bonsai of ordinary trees - and ease of reproduction: in case of failure, you can take into account the mistakes, root a new cutting and start over. By planting several cuttings in a shallow long container, you can form a whole grove of bonsai trees.

The fat woman-crassula-money tree responds positively to pruning and pinching, and here the interests of the plant and the person coincide: correctly formed succulents retain their strength and dense foliage, and flower growers decorate the interiors with low trees with many shiny leaves-coins, which, moreover, according to the ancient Chinese tradition, bring financial abundance to their owners.

Next, you can see a photo of how to properly form the crown and pinch the Money Tree:

Follow-up care

New buds are pinched at the stage of their appearance in order to immediately form the correct crown. After any trimming, follow-up care is essential.

• Wicker Money Tree requires a little water. Watering once a week is sufficient. Any grower should know that the amount of moisture introduced depends not only on the temperature in the room, but also on the size of the container and the composition of the soil.
• Water the roots of the tree when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Use a watering can or long-necked jug to get to the roots of the plant, as water on the stem or leaves can cause rotting. In winter, the amount of watering is significantly reduced. The colder it is in the room, the less moisture the flower needs.
• The money tree loves well-drained soil. Water should not be allowed to stagnate in the ground, as the roots and stem will begin to rot. As a result of the putrefactive process, the plant ceases to receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients, the foliage changes its color, begins to fall off. Getting rid of rot takes a lot of time and effort, sometimes the money tree dies. Therefore, the grower will need to take care of the quality of the soil, to prevent waterlogging. The soil should contain a mixture of earth and fine gravel, which is placed in a pot with one or more drainage holes. It is they who allow excess water to flow freely onto the pallet. Some bonsai grow well in a 2X1X1 mixture of peat, vermiculite and perlite.
• It is necessary to replant the tree every 2-3 years. If the grower notices that the root system has filled the pot, it's time to change the container. The best time for this is mid-summer. The flower is removed from the pot and placed in new soil and a new container. You can cut off some roots, remove damaged, weak, old ones. For this, a simple secateurs are used, but only necessarily treated with alcohol.
• Money trees are very hardy and disease-free, but if whiteflies or aphids invade, you can fight them with a solution of soap and warm water. Processing is carried out in a bath or outside, if it is warm there. An increase in moisture is always detrimental to any insect. The procedure is repeated as needed. After it, you will definitely need to wait until the water in the pot drains before removing the flower to its usual place.
• For the money tree, it is worth choosing a place with a moderate amount of sunlight. This plant can survive in different conditions, but for its normal development it is worth taking care that there is the same amount of shade and sun during the day. East and west windows are the best place to grow a flower.At the first signs of a lack of light, artificial lighting can be installed.
• It is important to avoid exposure to direct sunlight for extended periods of timeas this leads to burns. For a money tree, bright, but indirect light is ideal, so it is better to place the flower behind a curtain, not allowing foliage to come into contact with the glass.
• Being a tropical plant, the money tree can withstand large changes in temperature. Its growth slows down a little against the background of an increase in air temperature, but this does not harm the tree. Similarly, the low temperature can do little damage, but nothing serious will happen until it drops to –2 ° C.
• From time to time it is required to make top dressing. To enrich the soil with additional nutrients, a diluted complex liquid fertilizer can be applied for several months from spring to late autumn.
• Brown dry leaves are a symptom of lack of necessary moisture in the air or a sign of poor lighting. These trees can be shocked when moved to a different environment, so they need to be given time to adjust to their new environment. The plant should be in a draft-free location, away from batteries and other heaters, vents, and air conditioners.
• Sometimes stress after pruning is manifested by leaf fall. During this period, it is worth placing the plant in a brightly lit place and leaving it there until the tree is restored. An increase in humidity around it can also help. You can use a spray bottle or automatic humidifiers, place a container of water and pebbles nearby. The main thing is to prevent water from entering the foliage surface.

Eternally Golden Money Tree - Aichrizon

There is also a very popular houseplant called the money tree - aichrizon, translated from Greek means “forever golden”. It also belongs to the Tolstyankov family.

How to care for a money tree, characteristics and photos. aichrizona bloom and care features ...

Outwardly, aichrizon is very similar to a fat woman. He has the same spreading branches on a thick trunk, fleshy leaves. But unlike Crassula, the trunk and branches, even in an adult plant, are thinner and do not have a very pronounced woody appearance. The leaves are not smooth, but pubescent, velvety, reminiscent of miniature hearts.

A very important difference is the regular flowering of aichrizon from April to May. The flowers are small, star-shaped, yellow, white, red, cream, collected in lush panicles.

Aichrizon loves a softer diffused light, it tolerates well the temperature in the house, which is comfortable for a person and the money tree will not cause any special difficulties in care. The lowest indicator is between 8 and 10 C with a plus sign. Periodically, the flower should be rotated around the axis so that the leaves and asterisk-like flowers are evenly spaced.

Moisten the soil when the ground is 50% dry. If a loss of leaf turgor is noticeable, then you need to water the flower. If you overdo it with watering, the plant will start to hurt, and the roots will rot.

Leaving after pinching

After the pruning procedure, the plant is best placed in a sunny location. For this, the southern windowsill is ideal, where the fat woman will receive at least 4 hours of sunshine daily. As for the air temperature, during the day in the room, it should be from 18 to 23 degrees. At night, the air temperature in the room should be between 10 and 13 degrees.

The fat woman is very unpretentious and instantly takes root after pruning. Therefore, during this period, it does not require special care. It is enough to place it in its usual conditions. Over the next few weeks, you should not transplant the plant, you need to give it the opportunity to recover.

The process of forming the crown of a money tree is quite interesting and exciting.And if you follow the recommendations, it is not difficult. But the result will exceed all expectations.

dacha.expert

It is not necessary to drastically change the conditions of detention immediately after pruning. It is best to put the flower in its original place before new shoots appear. The more drastic the pruning was, the more careful you need to be watering in the coming months. Having lost a large mass of leaves, in which the fat woman “stores” water in reserve, the plant can rot. If you are in doubt whether you need to water the jerky or not, it is better not to water.

The most understandable landmark is the state of the leaves. If they feel dense and tough, you can postpone watering. With a lack of moisture, the leaves become paler, thinner and softer.

The fat woman is not at all a capricious flower and its content is within the power of even novice growers. Crassula crown formation can be an exciting experience for many years.

The fat woman is very unpretentious and instantly takes root after pruning. Therefore, during this period, it does not require special care. It is enough to place it in its usual conditions. Over the next few weeks, you should not transplant the plant, you need to give it the opportunity to recover.

Tip: Cut shoots produce beautiful plants with proper care.

The process of forming the crown of a money tree is quite interesting and exciting. And if you follow the recommendations, it is not difficult. But the result will exceed all expectations.

Difficulties in leaving

• Loss of juiciness and leaf fall. Overflow may be the cause. The plant should be watered only when the ground dries up 2 cm deep. Roots can rot from overflow. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the watering, if this does not help, the roots have rotted. Only a transplant can help out from this situation. Pull out the lump and cut off the rotten areas. Treat the sections with activated carbon. Leave the bearberry in the air for a few days to dry the lump. Prepare new soil and plant.
• Slender stem, not branching and extending in length. The first reason may be insufficient lighting, move the crassula to a brighter place. The second reason is pinching. While the plant is young, you should regularly pinch the crown and remove the old leaves. Then the trunk will get stronger and begin to get fat.
• Leaves turn yellow and fall off. In this case, there is a lack of lighting. Move the pot to a bright place or use additional lighting with fluorescent lamps. Do not forget to rotate the bastard periodically around its axis so that the branching is uniform.
• Leaves decrease in volume. Reason: overflowing or overdrying. Watering needs to be adjusted. The second reason may be direct sunlight. In this case, it is necessary to shade the plant.
• Leaves turn black. The reason is burned from direct sunlight.

Optimal time to trim

Indoor plants are recommended to be cut strictly after a dormant or flowering period. The money tree "sleeps" from September to February. The optimal time for pruning is in early spring (March). But you can carry out the procedure in other months of spring and early summer. Emergency pruning of an ailing fat woman is carried out regardless of the season.

You cannot combine several traumatic procedures, such as transplantation and pruning. It is necessary to maintain an interval of at least 30 days.

Wire winding

Soft copper wire can be used to train long branches to the desired shape and direction. This twisting of the stem should not be too tight. This is done carefully, throughout the week, so that the tree gradually takes on its shape. As a rule, the plant responds to such rounding rather quickly, as a result of which the necessary configuration can be achieved in 3 weeks.

If the copper wire leaves marks on the branches, then they will disappear after a while, as soon as moisture fills their tissues after it has been removed.

Formation of the crown and trunk of the bastard. Pruning and pinching

How to form a crown? How to shape the trunk of a fat woman? How to properly prune a money tree in a pot at home? How to pinch a fat woman? Let's answer these questions.

If you need to make the trunk of the fat woman thicker and the crown thicker, trim and pinch the tips of the shoots... If the branch has grown too long, don't be afraid to prune it. Make an incision 2.5 cm below where you want to grow new leaves. Regular pruning of branches gives excess energy to the trunk, and it gradually thickens.

Can a fat woman be cut? How to prune branches of a money tree so that it grows into a stem? Prune the jellyfish just above one of the brown rings around the stem, called a leaf scar, a sharp pruner, or a knife. New shoots will grow at the cut site, so choose the stem you want to cut carefully.

Cut off bulky branches with pruning shears or small sharp-edged scissors to achieve the desired tree shape. Do this in stages, if necessary. allowing the plant to rest between pruning... This way you can better visualize the shape of the crown.

Remove large leavesto give light to the inside of the crown where you want to grow new leaves. The incisions should be neat and straight. Pits and scars can cause decay.

Trim lightly once or twice a week to maintain control over the size and density of the buds. Pinch off too large leaves or leaf buds growing in unwanted areas such as the underside of the trunk. Use long tweezers to remove the cut pieces.

Photo of how to form the crown of a money tree (example of formation).

Do not use garden var. Instead, give the trimmed parts dry and form a film... Pathogenic bacteria can penetrate the garden var and cause decay. Sterilize your tool blades after each cut with rubbing alcohol to prevent disease, especially if you are working with multiple plants.

Pinch the tip of the stem with your thumb and forefinger to remove it. Decide how you want the fat woman to look in the future in order to choose the right site. Two new stems will appear at the pinch site. This method is good for young plants or short stems if you want a thicker crown.

Put the fat woman in a sunny place, best of all on the south window, where she will receive at least four hours of sunshine every day. The temperature during the day should be between 18 and 23 degrees during the day and between 10 and 13 degrees at night. Protect from drafts. Leaves should not touch glass and window frames. If you provide the plant with these conditions, its crown will be thick.

Plant a fat woman into well-drained soil in a pot with drainage holes. Replant every few years if the need arises. If possible, do not repot at all. Concerns such as transplants can slow growth.

Water the plant in the spring and summer often enough to keep the soil moist, but not wet... In winter, let's dry out between waterings. Water the soil and keep water away from the leaves of the plant. Providing proper, regular watering helps the trunk and branches to naturally thicken.

A photo of how to form a bastard (money tree) with a tree.

Pruning procedure

What to do if, for some reason, the pinching process was not carried out in time, and the trunk is stiff? In this situation, nothing else remains but to cut off this part of the branch, leaving a small stump in its place. The cut site should be processed in one of the following ways:

• activated carbon, turning it into powder;
• young cinnamon;
• wood ash;
• garden pitch;
• a special balm bought at a flower shop.

After you cut the bastard and process the cut, a little time will pass and a stump will remain, aesthetically even and healthy, and the tree will acquire a unique beauty.

Young plant

A young small plant is not cut off, but pinched is carried out - this is the name of this process, which should be done very carefully. Thanks to this, the growth of branches in height slows down, and the side branches receive an incentive for active growth. So, we stopped at the fact that on the sprout, in the place of formation of four pairs of leaves, a small bud of a new bud appeared.

Grab the edge of the bud with your fingers and rotate the bud around its axis. Do this with care, without damaging the nearby leaves. After a short period of time, two or more new buds will grow in this place. They will be the first initial branches, on their basis the future large and lush crown of the fat woman will be formed.

For this method, it is convenient to use small manicure scissors, with which it is easy to pinch off the kidney from both sides, making cuts towards each other. After the tree grows up and you need to give it a rounded shape, you will do the same operation on the upper bases of the side shoots.

Adult flower

An adult flower, which already has quite a few branches and shoots, needs to be completely pruned. It is better to cut the extra branches with pruning shears; a sharp knife will also do. How to form the crown of a fat woman in this case depends only on imagination and desire. The only condition that should be adhered to: trim the branches so that the cut is 2 cm above the bud. This technique will stimulate the intensive growth of Crassula. Do not be afraid to cut off large branches - when cutting, the tree receives a new impetus, and quickly regaining strength, throws out new shoots, renewing and rejuvenating.

Put the twigs remaining after cutting into the water, wait for the roots to appear and plant them in new flowerpots, completing the entire cycle of the passed scheme again. Decorate young money trees with a scattering of coins, turning the plant into an unusual gift for friends.

Now you know how to form a money tree correctly.

In conclusion, we want to give one more piece of advice: do not combine pruning a flower with transplanting it into a new pot. This way you can weaken it. We advise you to care for your home plant with love, and the money tree will respond to care, delighting with freshness and beauty.

grow-

Pruning

• The young offshoot of the money tree is pinched at the first stage.
• You should examine the trunk and find the kidneys. Pinching with your fingers is done over them.
• If there are no buds, the upper shoots are pinched with two fingers. At this point, branching should occur. Suppose that the shoot continues to grow in length, repeat the procedure until the shoots begin to branch out.
• When the tree has several branches, you can pinch the side shoots to get a round shape.
• A mature tree, when the trunk hardens, goes through a complete pruning stage. For work, a pruner or a sharp knife is used, which should be disinfected with alcohol.
• Places of cuts are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon in order to avoid illness.

Reproduction methods

Cuttings

• A stalk of a fat woman in the water
  A branch is cut from the mother plant. Cuttings are carried out at any time.
• The shoot should be kept without water for 2 days to allow it to wither.
• Next, the cuttings are placed in water.
• As soon as the roots appear, the processes are planted in the ground. This usually happens on day 14.
• The root system of the fat woman is small, so choose a wide, but shallow flowerpot.
• Drainage is poured at the bottom of the flowerpot. It can be expanded clay or foam.
• The next layer is prepared from sand and garden soil 1: 1.
• A pot with a shank should be covered with a glass jar to create a greenhouse effect.
• The cutting is ventilated daily.
• Watering is carried out as the soil dries up or spray the soil from a spray bottle.

Seeds

• This process is more complicated and is rarely used at home.
• The container must be moisture-permeable, for example, a clay pot without glaze. A good shape is saucer-shaped.
• Soil: sand, garden or leafy soil 1: 1.
• The seeds are sown and sprinkled with sand a little, as they are very miniature.
• The container should be covered with plastic wrap or glass.
• The seedlings are ventilated every day.
• Follow the condition of the soil, it should not be wet, only wet.
• As soon as real leaves appear, it is worth making a pick.
• Seedlings that have reached 7 cm in height are planted in separate pots.

For what purpose is the money tree pruned?

Almost all indoor plants need to be pruned from time to time. The money tree was no exception. There are several indications for the procedure:

• Pruning of a young, actively growing plant is carried out in order to form a crown.
• Flower rejuvenation is necessary for adult plants with long or disproportionate shoots.
• Sanitary pruning is carried out annually - dried shoots and leaves are removed.

You also need to cut the fat woman in case of illness. The affected areas must be removed. If everything is done correctly, the money tree will thank you with a quick recovery and active growth.

How to form a money tree: pinching and pruning

Cut branches are not thrown away, as they can grow beautiful money trees. This plant is well accepted both in the ground and in the water.

It will be optimal to plant the separated branch for a short time to the main tree. After strengthening, it is necessary to carefully remove the young tree from the pot and plant it in a separate container.

A pot for a fat woman should be chosen wide, but not too deep, since the root system of the money tree is extensive and shallow.

It is best to choose a pot whose diameter was the same as the crown, as a result of this, the tree will be stably in the tank. You should not choose a narrow container, because the growth of the fat woman will be suspended.

The tree can be replanted once every six months. It is best to use the transshipment method.

First you need to decide what you want to get from your plant, and then, in accordance with this, proceed to the necessary manipulations. If you need to make the trunk thicker, and its crown is thicker at the same time, then it is necessary to pinch and trim the tips of the shoots. When the branches on the bastard have become too long, then you should not be afraid to cut them.

To do this, you need to make a small incision 2.5 cm below the place where the new leaves will grow. Before forming a money tree, you need to take into account the fact that pruning on a regular basis promotes the release of excess energy to the trunk, as a result of which it begins to thicken over time.

DETAILS: Horse manure as fertilizer: how to use it for the garden

If we talk about how to form a money tree correctly, then the most effective option for it will be pruning using the bonsai technique. First, you need to carefully study the plant, and then remove the branches that do not correspond to the selected shape. Let's consider how to correctly form a money tree, step by step:

• It is necessary to remove the small branches first. In this case, cuts are made close to the stem or along the trunk.
• Do not leave open spaces or make concave cuts. Rot can settle in such pits. They must be immediately treated with activated carbon.
• Next, you need to determine those branches that will form the bonsai. For this, the buds and greens are pinched off along the stem.
• In this case, small leaves are left to grow at the ends, the remaining leaf plates should be removed.

Another important point is how to form a flower - the money tree likes repeated pruning, it contributes to the development of more closely spaced buds. Thus, the houseplant becomes more and more like a bonsai with each procedure. The incisions should dry and tighten. It is not necessary to lubricate them with garden varnish, as this can cause the development of rot.

The cut leaves and branches are removed very carefully from the inside of the crown of the plant using long forceps or tweezers. The use of a special tool provides a large overview as well as better control during the trimming process in small spaces.

Before forming the trunk of a money tree into a bonsai, a florist should be prepared for the fact that pruning will have to be done weekly. But it's worth it. As a rule, with each such successful procedure, the leaf plates become smaller, and the tree begins to take on a gorgeous look.

A video on how to form the crown of a money tree, how to properly transplant a fat woman.

Removing large leaves

For greater decorativeness, the crassula can be cut off. There is a huge scope for imagination and experimentation here, the crown of Crassula is very easy to form. Pruning also contributes to the renewal of the bastard, if it stretches out strongly from a lack of light, and enhances the growth of side shoots.

The formation of a bonsai money tree can be very exciting. Sometimes pruning of an overgrown tree is necessary to increase the resistance of the plant: the root system of the crassula is small, the dense, heavy crown can easily overturn the pot.

It should be noted that it is imperative to remove large leaves so that access to light in the inner areas of the crown is open, where new leaf plates will grow. The incisions should be neat and straight. Scars and pits sometimes cause decay.

How to form a money tree in a pot? It should be noted that a light haircut should also be done once or twice a week to control the growth, size and density of new buds. In this case, you should pinch off too large leaf plates or eyes that grow in unwanted places, for example, on the lower part of the trunk. Long tweezers can be used to remove the cut pieces. A more clearly decorated money tree can be seen in the photo.

When forming a money tree, in no case should you use a garden var. It is recommended to let the cut pieces dry and create their own film. Various pathogenic bacteria can penetrate through the garden varnish into the plant, while provoking rotting. During trimming, it is also imperative to sterilize the blades of all instruments.

Features of care during the formation of bonsai

How to form the crown of the money tree? To do this, you need to properly pinch the ends of the stem. This is done with your index finger and thumb to remove the end of the branch. However, before that, you need to decide on how you want the money tree to look in the future, in order to choose the right site correctly.

Quite often, plants should be watered in summer and spring to keep the soil in the pot moist, but not wet. Otherwise, the root system may begin to rot. In winter, the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering procedures. The soil is moistened so that water does not fall on the leaf plates of the plant. If proper, regular watering is provided, then the branches and trunk will thicken much faster.

In no case should the plant be deficient in nutrients. This is necessary in order for the fat woman to retain her small shape.To do this, you need to regularly fertilize and water the money tree, and cut off its roots and branches. Thanks to this, its shape is preserved. By pruning during transplanting, the formation of thinner root shoots will be stimulated.

As a rule, after pruning, the roots grow more densely to each other, and can also receive, even in the smallest container, the necessary amount of substances for full development. Only thick roots are cut. Thanks to this, a fibrous root system can be formed.

As for the pruning itself, this procedure is performed during the transplant. In the money tree, the roots are very sensitive to pruning, therefore, at a young age, the fat woman should be transplanted only once every 2 years for the first time, and then once every 3-5 years. In this case, you should not remove more than a third of the root system, and also disturb the newly formed roots.

The technique allows you to grow an exact copy of an adult specimen from the natural environment, but in a smaller size. In this case, the tree can be miniature or large enough, but imitates the natural curves of the trunk and branches. In the first case, the sowing of seeds is carried out, followed by complex work. The second uses an adult specimen.

The stems and leaves of the money tree are brittle, so care must be taken, the procedures must be carried out very carefully. For bonsai, all branches and leaves are important, since when creating a composition, you must clearly follow the chosen scheme. Even one incorrectly harvested shoot will have to be grown again for a long time, which does not always work out.

DETAILS: Propagation of grapes by cuttings - how to prepare shanks for planting in spring

Cultivation in flat containers is carried out only when growing a miniature copy of Crassula. In other cases, an ordinary flower pot is taken to provide sufficient nutrition for the plant. It is necessary to regularly trim the root system, removing taproots, forming a fibrous surface structure. Pinch the lateral branches constantly.

The bends of the trunk and branches, inherent in an adult wild-growing specimen, are attached with the help of a wire. The main holding structure must be attached to the drainage holes of the pot, the rest must be hooked to the loop brought to the surface. Tie up young, non-lignified shoots by bending the wire in the right direction. At the end, make a free loop so that when the size of the branch increases, constrictions do not form that disfigure the plant.

When forming a bonsai from a money tree at home, it is necessary to take into account that it will take a long time before the plant that looks like it will grow. For example, the wire should not be removed for at least a year, since the bends are able to straighten. The fat woman is a slowly growing culture, so you have to be patient, because it is this property that allows you to use the variety for this technique.

In order to get a thick trunk, it is necessary to grow tops, periodically changing to new ones. At the same time, small unnecessary twigs are removed. The created small tree must be properly looked after, constantly pinching and pruning so that the composition does not lose its decorative effect.

The formation of the crown of a money tree is not a mandatory procedure, but it is recommended, because otherwise the indoor flower will lose its beautiful appearance much faster and will require rejuvenation. The main methods are pruning and pinching. The choice of the appropriate method depends on the age of the plant. The fat woman is also suitable for creating a bonsai-style tree.

Why do you need pruning

We would like to warn you right away that the article will contain such names of the money tree as fat woman and crassula. Decide for yourself what kind of plant you want to grow and what shape it should have.It will depend on this whether it is worth cutting off the extra branches at all. The fat woman looks great in two versions:

• in the form of a bush. In this case, pruning is not needed, and the flower will develop chaotically with many young shoots;
• in the form of a tree with one trunk and an umbrella-shaped lush crown. In this case, you will have to prune the branches.

Pruning the money tree helps:

• renovation of a home flower;
• increased growth of new shoots and stems;
• to give the desired shape to the crown;
• to rejuvenate the old tree.

Diseases and pests

Diseases

• The most common illnesses stem from improper care. The worst thing for a flower is excess moisturewhich leads to root rot. Signs: white-pink bloom on the root collar, softened trunk. You can save a tree only by transplanting and removing rotten areas. If the procedure does not help, cut the cuttings 10 cm long and grow a new specimen.
• With a lack of moisture and prolonged heat, it is possible massive leaf fall... Signs: Leaves are wrinkled and dry, brown spots and flat sheets in appearance. Struggle: adjust watering.
• The emergence red border on the leaves... Reason: oversupply of lighting. Struggle: remove from bright light.
• No bloom... Reasons: the plant must mature before 10 years of age, correct dormancy in winter at a temperature of 15 ° C.

Pests

• Shield... Signs: yellow-brown spots on the leaves.
• Spider mite... Symptoms: yellowing of the leaves and the formation of a brown crust on them.
• Mealybug... Signs: the appearance of a powdery coating on the leaves.

How to fight?

1. Shield... Treat the affected areas with an alcohol solution at intervals of 7 days.
2. Spider mite... Spraying the plant with soapy water. If it does not help, treat with insecticides (Karate, Fitoverm).
3. Mealybug... Treat with garlic tincture or alcohol. If the roots are damaged, shed the soil with Vermithek, Mospilan.

Landing

A money tree, bastard or crassula will attract financial energy into the room if it is planted according to all the rules.

You need to do everything only with your own hands and without prying eyes:

• A process is cut off from the mother tree and withers for two days.
• Then add crushed activated carbon to the water and plant the scion.
• Here, it is worth paying attention, shoots with roots are planted according to the lunar calendar.
• As soon as the moon enters the growing phase, the shoot is planted in a pot with soil. 4, 7, 11 lunar days are considered auspicious days.
• The pot should be chosen from natural materials, wide, but low.
• Its color should be red or green. If not, the pot can be painted or wrapped with paper of suggested colors.
• The fat woman begins to bloom upon reaching the age of 10.
  Crassula is undemanding to the soil, so you can take garden soil and add sand, humus, charcoal. If the soil is prepared at home, it should be steamed in the oven for 2 hours.
• At the bottom of the pot, you should put three yellow coins, polystyrene, then soil.
• The pot is placed in a warm and bright place.
• Previously, it can be covered with a glass container or a bag to create a favorable microclimate.
• Every day the soil with a sprout is ventilated.
• The soil should be monitored; strong waterlogging should not be allowed. You can spray the ground with a spray bottle.
• Watering the flower, tell him these words: "Grow my tree and curl, and accumulate money and multiply."