Money Tree

The first time I saw a Money Tree was in Minneapolis way back when Neal was beginning his Ph.D at the University of Minnesota.  We had dinner at a Thai restaurant and I spotted a small plant with a braided trunk on the counter,.  Curious person that I am, I asked one of the employees if they knew anything about the plant.  They said it was a Money Tree and one was on display in the window of a florist shop down the street.  After dinner we saw the Money Tree is in the window, a much larger specimen, maybe about a two feet tall, with a price tag of $82.00.  Holy malolee!

December 5, 2013 before pruning

Through the years, though, these plants became available in many stores with price tags of about $10.00.  My first Money Tree, purchased at Target, lasted about two years.  They are sold with the  braided trunks held together with wire.  Unfortunately, the wire needs to be removed after a while but I was unaware of this and hence the tree died due to strangulation.

December 5, 2013 after pruning

These are pictures of of my second Money Tree.  It is common for the tips of the leaves to turn brown.   I chopped off the branches and in time, new ones grew back and healthy leaves appeared.  I am hoping for a repeat performance.

Also, the plant may do better in a location with less light.

An important part of gardening is learning plants only thrive if they have the correct amount of light.

Today is January 17, 2014.
Not even a month has passed and new growth
has appeared. .

Here is an excellent example of how regenerative pruning can benefit a plant.  That is, doing a major cutback.  If all goes well, the Money Tree will produce new branches and leaves.

Today is Februrary 17, 2014
Four weeks have gone by
and the plant is filling out beautifully.