What does the white bloom on the money tree testify to?

Fat woman or Crassula is better known under the name money tree... It is not difficult to grow and care for it even for novice florists. But sometimes it requires increased attention. Florists often complain of white bloom that has appeared on the trunk or leaves. What can cause this and how to get rid of the problem?

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Description and conditions for growing a houseplant

Description and conditions for growing a houseplant

Crassula treelike is a herb that grows in the form of a tree. It is a succulent plant. Its juicy trunk and leaves accumulate a supply of moisture necessary for the life of the plant. The leaves are rounded, like coins. This is what caused one of the names of the plant. The color of the leaves is dark green, sometimes with a reddish tint. In natural conditions it blooms with inconspicuous cream flowers. At home, it practically does not bloom.

The money tree is an unpretentious houseplant.

It multiplies easily, does not require special care. But some growing conditions must be observed. It:

  • Wide and shallow pot
  • The presence of drainage.
  • Loose soil.
  • Abundant, but not frequent watering.

The height of the drainage for a young plant should be at least 2 cm. They buy soil for growing succulents or prepare themselves by combining turf, humus and leafy soil, a little clay to retain moisture, charcoal. Such soil will not be compressed in the pot, compressing the roots and preventing moisture from passing into the pan.

Water the money tree abundantly, but rarely. Succulents store moisture for a long time. Watering too often can lead to root rot. If these simple conditions are observed, then special problems with money tree must not be. But nevertheless, you should not leave it unattended. Owners often complain of white bloom covering parts of the plant.

White bloom on the money tree - what does it mean?

Mealybug on the money tree

Some growers, upon careful examination, notice a white-pink bloom in the area of ​​the root collar. This is often preceded by a change in leaf and stem turgor. They become flaccid and flat, and the trunk may tilt. Over time, plaque spreads to other parts of the plant. Silvery dots appear on the leaves.

This usually occurs when abundant watering is combined with dense, heavy soil or lack of drainage. The plant is affected by Fusarium rot. At the same time, the roots rot, which can lead to the death of the plant.

White bloom can form on the trunk, between the leaves or stems of the money tree.

It may be due to the activity of a spider mite. In addition to white and yellow spots on the leaves, you can see a white cobweb. In the axils of the leaves, a white bloom may form, similar in consistency to cotton wool. This is a sign that a mealybug has settled on the plant.

Fighting white bloom on the leaves of the money tree

Fighting white bloom on the leaves of the money tree

It is sometimes difficult to determine the cause of the appearance of white bloom. Especially if the trunk and leaves have not yet lost their strength. You can determine the cause by smell. If the plant is damaged by fusarium rot, the plaque has a moldy smell.

To make it easier to identify the cause, knead the plaque with your fingers.

If during this operation you can hear the smell of mold, treat the plant fungicides... It can be Fundazol, Fungicide. In this case, the money tree needs to be urgently transplanted into a new dish.

Carefully remove the plant from the old pot. They take away all the old earth. Examine the roots. If some of them are rotten, cut the damaged parts to a living area with a sterile sharp knife. Completely change the soil, replacing it with a substrate for succulents. In order for the plant to take root faster and easily undergo transplantation and removal of part of the roots, the roots are soaked in the root formation stimulator Kornevin. In order for the money tree to recover as soon as possible, they are watered with Epin's solution.

If no mold odor is found, look for traces of the presence of pests:

  • When a spider mite is affected, the plant is treated with insecticides. It can be Fitoverm, Fufanon, Aktara, Intavir. You need to process it outdoors or in non-residential premises. After a week, the treatment is repeated.
  • In an apartment, you can treat mealybugs or spider mites with tobacco or garlic infusion, a solution of laundry soap. Use a soft paint brush that will not damage the fabric, but will help remove pests and wadding build-up. Before this, the parts of the plants damaged by the worm are removed. Examine other plants on which he can also live. If this is not done, the pest can re-settle on the money tree.

Sometimes there can be several reasons for plaque. If pests, one or more species, have settled on a plant affected by fusarium rot, in addition to the above measures, it is necessary to treat the roots of the plant with a very weak solution of potassium permanganate during transplantation.

More information on how to properly care for the money tree can be found in the video:

Goshia avatar

Tomorrow you need to take a close look at the state of the money tree, it seems that the trunk is slightly bent, and the leaves are kind of sluggish. Maybe they are pests or diseases?

Lisa's avatar

Most likely a mealybug. He likes to settle on young leaves and in the mouths of leaves. Sticky if removed with your fingers. I tried many remedies, but only furatsilin solution really helped. It is sold in tablets, yellow ones. Dissolve 2 tablets in 1 liter of water and spray. Washed off after 3 days. There has been nothing for a year now. Try it.