Why does the money tree refuse to bloom and how to stimulate budding?

It's commonly believed that the money tree can't bloom indoors, but this is false. With proper care, the plant can delight its owners with beautiful flowers. In this article, we'll explain how the money tree blooms, what fragrance it produces, and how to achieve this.

Does a money tree bloom indoors?

The answer to this question is clear: yes, crassula can bloom when grown in pots, but only if basic planting and care requirements are met. Most often, the money tree blooms when it's brought into the garden in its pot for the summer or transplanted into the ground.

Sometimes, after removing a plant by placing it outside, owners notice it begins to bloom. This is normal even without any care, as the plant receives maximum oxygen and simultaneously experiences stress. This forces it to activate its protective mechanisms, which leads to the formation of buds for flower stalks.

When does the money tree bloom?

Crassulas bloom for the first time after five years of age, but some varieties may not do so until they are 10 years old. The flowering period varies depending on growing conditions:

• if the plant is always kept indoors, it blooms in November-January;
• When the bush is taken outside at the beginning of summer, the flowers appear in August.

The duration of budding depends on the specific variety, but most often it is 2-4 months.

How does the fat woman bloom?

Flower stalks develop in different locations, depending on the type of money tree. Some varieties produce them on shoots, while others produce them in leaf axils. Flowers may be found only on individual branches or on all shoots simultaneously.

Peculiarities:

• almost all flowers are similar to small stars in shape;
• maximum bud size – 1 cm;
• the peduncles are quite long and branched, so in many varieties they resemble panicles;
• The number of petals in one flower is 5 pieces, their shape is pointed.

The buds can come in a wide variety of shades, but the petals are mostly white. However, purple, pink, red, yellow, and even blue are also common. However, the central part (the area of ​​the low crown) is always slightly darker.

What do the flowers of the Crassula smell like?

The aroma of the money tree depends on the variety. For example, tree-like varieties exude a wildflower scent, while the ovata is overly sweet (some even perceive it as cloying). The intensity of the aroma is influenced by growing conditions, such as light intensity and air temperature.

Why the money tree refuses to bloom – reasons

The main negative factor for crassula failure to bud is improper cultivation practices. This can occur even when the money tree appears perfectly healthy, the leaves are glossy, and the trunk and roots are undamaged.

Incorrect lighting arrangements

In the wild, the money tree blooms annually because it thrives in well-lit areas. When grown in pots, it doesn't receive enough natural light, and it thrives in partial shade. However, it also doesn't flower. Therefore, keep a few things in mind:

• you need bright, but at the same time diffused light;
• Before lunch, the plant should be exposed to sunlight, and after lunch it should be slightly shaded using a translucent curtain;
• on a cloudy day, artificial lighting is essential – you cannot allow the crassula to be in the shade or partial shade all day;
• daylight hours – at least 12 hours.

Maintaining at high temperature during the dormant period

The optimal air temperature for flowering ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in summer and from 10 to 14 degrees Celsius in autumn and winter. In the summer, without air conditioning, the thermometer will read too high, while in winter, dry, hot air comes from heating units.

Therefore, during hot weather, you need to take the pots out onto the balcony or loggia, and in winter, move the container away from heating radiators.

Regular pruning

Excessively frequent pruning of shoots where buds are forming prevents budding. There are several reasons for this:

• After the crown is formed, the plant directs all its energy only to the growth of green mass, and not to the formation of buds;
• When pruning and shaping, it is usually the branches on which flower stalks are formed that are removed.

Therefore, prune crassulas once a year—in the spring—more for sanitation than for crown formation. Pinching money trees to encourage flowering is prohibited.

Wrong choice of pot

The money tree's root system is almost superficial, so the roots don't penetrate deep into the container. The plant only begins to grow and form a trunk once the root shoots reach the bottom, so the pot should be shallow.

Furthermore, if the container is too wide, the root system will grow, leaving the crassula with no energy left to form flower buds. Therefore, the pot diameter should match the root width or be 2-3 cm wider.

Incorrect watering

Crassula requires moderate watering, and the main sign of this is a weakening of the leaves. Avoid allowing waterlogging to occur, otherwise the roots will rot and flowering will be completely forgotten.

If the plant does not receive the required amount of water, this will lead to drying out, which is why the money tree will direct all its energy exclusively to recovery (the plant will redistribute the moisture contained in the leaves throughout all the shoots, trunk and roots).

Violation of other rules of care

There are other possible causes of lack of flowering due to improper care. Please note:

• Lack of fresh air. It allows the roots and green mass to be saturate with the necessary oxygen, without which budding is impossible.
• Drafts. Because of them, the money tree suffers and begins to get sick against the background of a weakened immune system, so drafts are strictly prohibited.
• Incorrect soil. It should be light and loose, so it's best to use mineral substrates or soil with loosening agents. Pay attention to the pH level—minimum 5.5, maximum 6.5. The optimal composition:
  • purchased soil for succulents or cacti;
  • grain soil – 4 parts, leaf soil, sand and humus – 1 part each, plus a little gravel or expanded clay;
  • turf soil – 1 part, leaf humus – 3 parts, agroperlite and compost – 1 part each.
• Incorrect feeding. A lack of fertilizer isn't as harmful as an excess. This is especially true for nitrogen-containing fertilizers, as they cause the internodes to stretch excessively and the vegetative organs to become excessively loose. Fertilize no more than once a month; use special fertilizers for succulents.
• Damage to the root system. If the roots are even slightly damaged, flowering will not occur, because all the energy will be spent on restoration.

Bad place

The best directions are east and west windows, but plants can be moved to south-facing windowsills in winter and north-facing windowsills in summer. This is largely due to the lack of natural light.

Root rot

The most common reason for a lack of budding is due to excess moisture in the soil. This usually occurs due to overwatering, improper soil composition, or if the pot lacks a drainage layer to remove excess water. Even if the flower recovers, it will not bloom for the next 1-2 years.

How to make a money tree bloom?

It turns out that methods have been developed that can speed up the budding process and generally help get the Crassula to bloom. They range from traditional to more unusual, but they are all highly effective and time-tested. The main thing to remember is that the Crassula must be at least five years old.

Stress

In the wild, the money tree uses its flowers to form seeds and reproduce, so when given the right conditions, the plant begins to care for its future offspring. As flower experts have discovered, stress contributes to this. The optimal time for inducing stress is the first month of autumn. This way, you can have a flowering bush by winter.

What you need to do:

• sharply reduce the temperature to between +10 and +15 degrees;
• reduce the length of daylight hours;
• remove bright light;
• do not water for at least 5, maximum 7 weeks;
• stop applying fertilizers for the same amount of time.

The money tree should be kept in these conditions for 2-3 months. This is the time it takes for buds to begin to appear. As soon as this happens, abruptly change the environment again. Now you need to keep the money tree under the following conditions:

• temperature conditions – +20-22 degrees;
• daylight hours – as required by agricultural practices;
• watering with water at room temperature – every 15 days;
• top dressing – once a month with mineral preparations.

Feeding and stimulation

Mineral fertilizers, and especially potassium, stimulate the formation of flower buds and subsequently flower buds, so adhere to the following rules:

• Apply complex fertilizers intended only for succulents twice a month during the growing season (from spring to autumn), and once a month in autumn and winter;
• fertilize immediately after watering and always in liquid form;
• the optimal ratio of fertilizer and water is 1:2;
• From mid-August onwards, apply only potassium fertilizers.

Folk remedies

Folk craftsmen have also contributed to stimulating the money tree's flowering. Their methods have been proven by the experience of gardeners. There are several:

• Succinic acid. It stabilizes the immune system and allows potassium to be absorbed more quickly and efficiently. To do this, purchase succinic acid tablets, dissolve one in a liter of clean water, and mix thoroughly. Apply the fertilizer every time you water.
• Boric acid. It works identically and promotes bud formation. It comes in tablet form—one tablet per 1 liter of water. Watering should be done only once a month and no more frequently.
• Aspirin. This is the simplest method, as acetylsalicylic acid is readily available in every medicine cabinet. The proportions are the same: one tablet per 1 liter of water. Spray first, then water. The frequency is every 15 days, three times.
• Other types of feeding. Florists add wood ash, fish meal, and granulated sugar to the soil containing crassula.

Trimming

Pruning is acceptable during the plant's growth phase, from mid-spring to July. To do this, follow these steps:

• remove all branches that have stopped developing;
• trim crooked and excessively long shoots;
• pinch off the growth points on the sides.

Don't remove too many shoots - just the minimum so that it doesn't take too long for the plant to recover.

Transfer

This procedure applies to those plants that are growing in unsuitable soil or were just purchased from a store, but are five years old.

The soil used in stores isn't exactly what's needed for the Crassula (usually just universal soil). Furthermore, sellers add special additives to maintain the plant's health.

Choosing the optimal time

If the flower was purchased in summer or spring, it can be repotted after a couple of days. If it was purchased during the colder months, then only after a couple of weeks. This way, the plant will establish itself better, as it will already be adapting to the new growing conditions.

Methodology

To ensure that transplant work is successful, follow these steps:

1. Take a container that's 2 cm wider than the previous one, but the height should be about the same. Check if there are holes in the bottom. If not, make some.
2. Purchase a fertile substrate for succulents.
3. Place a 3 cm layer of drainage material at the bottom of the pot.
4. Fill the substrate halfway.
5. Moisten the soil in the old container a day before transplanting.
6. Carefully remove the flower using the transshipment method.
7. Immediately inspect the roots for dry or rotted areas. If any are present, trim them off and treat the cut areas with wood ash or activated charcoal.
8. Place the bush in a new pot, fill it with the remaining substrate and water with warm water.

Post-flowering care

If you want your fat woman to delight you with flowers every year, follow these simple rules:

• fertilize 3-4 times a month;
• water as needed;
• keep at the required lighting temperature;
• In summer, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every day.

Why does a money tree bloom according to signs?

Superstitious people around the world attribute special magical properties to the money tree, especially when it's in bloom. What does this mean?

• improvement of material well-being;
• receiving unexpected profits;
• career advancement;
• receiving an inheritance.

Feng Shui experts recommend inserting coins into the soil around the money tree or hanging them on its shoots, which will enhance the effect of the money tree.

To ensure your money tree not only thrives but also blooms every year, strictly follow all growing recommendations, but determine the cause of the lack of buds in advance. If necessary, use the most effective and popular methods for forcing your money tree to bloom.

Frequently Asked Questions