To C -- Money Tree

[Guest guest]

Dear . . . .. The Money Tree is different from a Schefflera,

however, the leaves do look similar. The Money Tree comes from southern

China, which has a climate similar to the one I live in - Houston! Very

hot. The Money Tree has become a popular plant recently (I'm a florist)

because it's supposed to bring prosperity to your home. I talked to a

grower who said the name Money Tree is actually the correct name, even

in Chinese. I think the feng sui movement (or fad) has brought many of

these plants into the market. Such as the Lucky Bamboo for instance.

In the place where I work (large grocery store floral dept) we have been

selling both of these plants by the carload, the Lucky Bamboo for a

couple years and the Money Tree for the last 8 mos. or so. The Money

Tree puts out new shoots from tiny little green dots that appear on that

ugly brown root type thing that sticks out of the pot. The grower told

me not to touch the green dots because the oil in a person's fingers can

kill the new shoot.

Have you fallen asleep yet? Is this everything you " never " wanted to

know about Money Trees? I guess you hit a nerve. I love plants and

flowers. I never get tired of learning about them and working with

them.

Your experience gave me a laugh though. You walked flat into that

one!

Love, C.