Basically, it is not necessary to cut a lucky chestnut or Pachira aquatica. As long as you have enough space and the plant is doing well, just let it grow. Since lucky chestnuts tolerate pruning well, you can cut them back if they have become too big or if you want to grow new offshoots.
When and how should you cut a lucky chestnut?
To prune a lucky chestnut (Pachira aquatica), the best time is early spring. Prune the plant to shorten the length, grow it as a bonsai, or grow new cuttings. Water the plant after cutting and avoid direct sunlight.
Reasons to cut Pachira aquatica
- Cut length
- Breeding as Bonsai
- Propagation of the lucky chestnut
The best time to cut back
The best time to prune fortune chestnuts is early spring. However, you can cut back the plants at any time if the ambient temperature is high enough. It should be at 20 degrees.
Don't leave leftover cuttings - especially the trunks - of the lucky chestnut lying around when there are children in the house. The plant sap is considered slightly poisonous.
Cutting lucky chestnuts as a bonsai
Because lucky chestnuts are so easy to cut, the trees can also be cut as bonsai. However, the Hawaiian method of growing Pachira aquatica in a lava stone is more common.
Growing new offshoots of lucky chestnuts
To obtain cuttings, take cuttings. The best time for propagating fortune chestnuts is spring.
Simply place the cuttings in a glass of water. After roots have formed, plant the cuttings in prepared pots. If you want to put them in the substrate straight away, you must first coat the interfaces with rooting powder (€8.00 on Amazon).
Water after cutting
After cutting a lucky chestnut, you should water the plant. If possible, submerge the root ball in a bucket of water. Allow the liquid to dry thoroughly and immediately drain the water from the saucer or flower pot.
Do not fertilize the lucky chestnut immediately after cutting, but wait for a while.
Do not place a freshly cut lucky chestnut in direct sunlight. In the first few weeks you will do better in a bright, not sunny location.
Tip
If the lucky chestnut gets a lot of yellow leaves, it is usually in an unfavorable location. It is often too dark, too humid or too cool in the place. This also applies if the plant loses an excessive number of leaves.
