Question
Hello, I have a problem.  I live in Japan but dont speak or read Japanese.  I recently bought a plant.  I was drawn to it because of the braided trunk.  It is only about two feet tall right now but I have seen very tall ones.  The only part of the label that is in actual letters is Pachira Aquatica.  It is very leafy.  I love it but am afraid I'm not really great with plants.  I can only keep ones that require very little.  Please help if you can, Teresa  

Answer
Teresa,

How wonderful to live in Japan. I love bonsai and would love to visit Japan. Pachira Aquatica is the Latin name of your new plant. It is also known as Money tree.

It is an interesting plant that appears to be easy to grow. It grows naturally in Central America and Northern South America, where it is a spreading tree that grows to 60 feet tall in the wide. It has greenish bark and shiny, dark green 8-10 inches leaves. In the wild, it is a wetland tree that grows in freshwater swamps associated with tropical estuaries. It often grows alongside rivers, were its branches arch out over the water. You d on't have to worry about it growing too big for you If you keep it in a pot!. The larger the pot you put it in the larger it will grow.

In Taiwan it is grown both as an ornamental plant and for production of nuts, but the plant's flowers and young leaves are

also cooked and used as vegetables. The plant is said to bring good fortune and prosperity, it is believed that believe that good fortune follows every new leaf that unfurls. It has been popular since the 70s in Asia.

Pachira Aquatica is a plant that is said to be recommended by Feng Shui masters and practitioners for wealth and prosperity, because of the characteristic of five large green foliages on top of each thin branches which symbol five fundamental Feng Shui elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth.  So the Money Tree will be able to supplement and activate the missing or weak elements in the space base on Feng Shui principles.

The Money Tree is very easy to taken care of, even though it is a wetland sunshine plant. It will still live very well with dryness and low light, and ideal for home or office pot plant. No need to watering them too often, just enough to keep the soil moist but don't over water. Apparently the trunks hold water and if you over water these will rot. During the summer months while the plant is actively growing, keep the soil moist. Do not let the plant get "bone dry" as foliage loss will occur.  Reduce watering during the winter. The leaves like a light misting with water now and then or a humid room. Good luck.

Darlene