The Pachira aquatica has a reputation for being quite difficult to care for. But that's not entirely true. Lucky chestnuts are quite robust trees that just need to be kept in the right location. The biggest problem is watering too frequently. Tips for caring for the lucky chestnut.
How to properly care for Pachira Aquatica?
To properly care for the Pachira Aquatica, you should water it in lime-free water when the substrate is almost dry, fertilize it every two weeks, shorten the shoots if necessary and repot it every 2-3 years. Yellow or brown leaves indicate unfavorable location or care conditions.
How do you water lucky chestnuts correctly?
Chestnuts like their root area dry rather than wet. Waterlogging causes plants to become ill and die. Only water when the substrate is almost dry. Use lime-free water.
Spray Pachira aquatica more often with lukewarm water to increase the humidity.
How often is fertilization done?
Fertilization is carried out during the growing season from spring to autumn. Normal liquid fertilizers (€6.00 on Amazon), which are added to the irrigation water at fortnightly intervals, are suitable as fertilizers. But you can also use fertilizer sticks with a long-term effect.
Does Pachira aquatica need to be cut?
Cutting is not necessary. However, you can shorten the shoots at any time as long as the ambient temperatures are high enough.
Since lucky chestnuts are very easy to cut, they can also be kept well as bonsai.
After cutting, do not place the tree directly in the sun for a long time.
When will we repot?
Since Pachira aquatica is not a very fast-growing plant, you only need to repot it every two to three years in spring.
Choose a larger pot as the roots must not be crowded.
After repotting, do not fertilize lucky chestnuts in the first year.
What diseases and pests can occur?
Viral diseases and bacterial diseases are more common in unfavorable locations or damaged bark on the trunks.
Mealybugs and spider mites are more common pests, especially when the humidity is low.
What to do if the leaves are yellow or brown?
Yellow and brown leaves indicate an unfavorable location or incorrect care. The plant is too dark, too cool or in a draft.
Place lucky chestnuts as brightly as possible at at least 15 degrees. Pachira aquatica does not tolerate temperatures less than ten degrees.
Why does the lucky chestnut lose its leaves?
If lucky chestnuts only lose a few leaves, this is not a concern. If there is a lot of leaf loss, ensure a more favorable location and optimize care.
Why should you not keep Pachira aquatica braided?
The market mainly sells lucky chestnuts, which consist of several intertwined trunks. The bark of the tree becomes very thin at the pressure points, allowing bacteria and germs to enter.
In addition, the trunks are often too close together so that the air cannot circulate properly and the roots do not have enough space.
It is better to plant such lucky chestnuts in individual pots immediately after carefully untangling them.
Tip
Lucky chestnuts are also known as wild cacao trees. Its fruits are a popular substitute for cocoa beans in its native Central and South America. Pachira aquatica is not poisonous, the leaves are even edible.