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Propagating Pachira Aquatica (Money Tree) by Cutting

8 years ago

Hi Folks, I am a relatively new owner of the Pachira Aquatica aka Money Tree. I just purchased all the items needed to propagate my tree in a solid medium (Pete Moss not water). I have scoured the internet and read every guide to propagating this tree but almost every one is vague about what to cut. They just say "Take a cutting". What is an ideal cutting? Does it have leaves or is it just budding? How long should it be? How close to other nodes?

I have two ideas:

Cut a shoot that has two full healthy sets of leaves (above) or cut a shoot that is just beginning leaves (below).

What is the right method? I am planning on making a cut in a few days.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Featured Answer

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

8 years ago

Hi, Mike, you definitely want a cutting with leaves. I usually propagate a tip cutting, with leaves, that is between 8 - 12 inches long. I place the cutting in a 1-gallon nursery container in outdoor shade. If it's very hot where you live, you might want to use a shallow drip-tray, as well, to help keep the mix moist.

If you must peat moss, cut it with at least 50% Perlite.

Josh

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Comments (10)

User
Original Author
8 years ago

Here is the one that is just budding
User
Original Author
8 years ago
Or do I want a shoot with nothing!?!??! Not sure what to do.
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User
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the info Josh! I actually ordered the miracle grow seed and stem starter mix. Seemed like an all in one solution rather than having to deal with Pete Moss. I also have 4 inch containers with drainage trays. I have a few follow ups if you don't mind:

-When cutting branches with leaves, my plant has very small gaps in between nodes. If the distance between nodes is an inch or so, if I cut that space directly in half, will the plant be ok?

-I have read in some places that the cutting should be made horizontally (at a 45 degree angle to the growth) to enlarge the surface area that can create roots?

-I have also read you should cut the shoot, then dip it in hormone, then let it sit out for 24 hours one a paper towel....do you recommend this practice?

-Regarding watering, the soil should just be damp correct? Or should I fill up the drain tray so it's full of water and then plant the shoot above the water line? That way, less maintenance?
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
8 years ago
Cut below a node, try not to cut through it.

An angled cut would be fine. I'm not sure if it makes a difference with Pachira. The idea is that the 45 degree angle presents a larger wicking surface.

Rooting hormone will definitely help, although I have not used it for Pachira. I would not let the cutting sit out, unless it was in a glass of water. I would cut, dip in hormone, and then pot in moist potting mix immediately.

Moist soil, but it must stay moist. If you're going to be away from the cuttings for a time, I would water until just a little moisture fills the tray. 4-inches is a small container, and once the cuttings root they will pull a lot of water very quickly.

Josh
User
Original Author
8 years ago
Got it.....Thanks again Josh for the great info....I will make the cutting tonight and will you let you know how it goes!
daniellemarielaberge
8 years ago
Some sites recommend leaving the cutting out for 24 hours and then applying rooting hormone. The only reason to do this is to allow a callus to form over the site of the cut and prevent infection while the rooting hormone grows you some new roots. If you are not using rooting hormone but instead take the slower path to root development putting it directly into water or soil, you do not want to wait 24 hours, because the plant will wilt before it can reestablish roots.
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
5 years ago
Mike, how did it go? Did your cutting root? Is it a big plant today? Getting ready to try the same thing and I wonder about your results.

Carol in Jacksonville
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
5 years ago
Hello, Carol, I hope Mike sees this post and responds.

This Summer I pruned my Pachira again, and am currently propagating the tip. There's new growth, so I think it worked as it has in the past.

Josh
Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
5 years ago
Hi Josh,

Cool! It sounds like you have had luck with this before! Any tips or tricks? How long have you had it rooting? Post some photos. :)

I also started offsets - three of them. Just stuck them yesterday, so the jury is still out on whether or not they will root. I did use rooting hormone powder. Here's some photos:

Carol

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