Brazilian Rain Tree Progress Thread.

[SWfloirda]

I know this tree is a hot mess. There are 2 sacrifice branches on it and I am letting it grow. I keep my raintrees in full sun, inorganic substrate and I water them once a day. I often see people insist they have to water twice a day or keep them in shade, etc, especially if they see any yellowing leaves. I took these pictures on June 10th. I've noticed that when the leaves start yellowing they are getting ready to hit a growth spurt. So I changed nothing left it in full sun, water once a day.

 

[SWfloirda]

Tried to take basically the same pictures from the same angle today. The branch with all the blooms is the same branch with the most yellowing leaves back in June.

 

[Russ1]

Wish I could get mine to bloom, even just once..
I do mostly keep mine on the moist side now but have kept them very dry in the past. If too dry the leaves will fold up. I add about 5% chopped Spagnum Moss now to the soil mix which helps with moisture. If dry for too long the leaves will yellow, dry up and drop but in a week or so new leaves will grow. I keep mine in summer in a greenhouse shaded for afternoon sun because most of the year they grow under lights indoors and if I move them to full sun the leaves tend to burn, then bringing them back in the fall they will drop there leaves and grow new ones so I try to be consistent with light levels since I defoliate them in July whether I re-pot or not. They also defoliate on their own around March... so twice a year is enough. Pruning back hard to a leaf node leaving a bit for die back and defoliating in the hottest weather will cause them to back bud and can grow branches where there was only leaves or nothing.

 

[SWfloirda]

A few before and after pics on some updates.

 

[SWfloirda]

 

[SWfloirda]

 

[leatherback]

that growth is just unfair

 

[Russ1]

Do you find they bloom on the long unpruned branches, it looks that way?
Maybe I should let one grow unchecked to see what happens.

 

[SWfloirda]

Do you find they bloom on the long unpruned branches, it looks that way?
Maybe I should let one grow unchecked to see what happens.

For me it is usually on the longer branches in early spring into mid summer here in Florida.

 

[Paradox]

Do you find they bloom on the long unpruned branches, it looks that way?
Maybe I should let one grow unchecked to see what happens.

I have 4 up here in NY and I've only seen one or two flowers on one of them one year in all the years I've had them.

I don't think they will tend to bloom up here either because it doesn't get hot enough long enough or because we have to bring them inside during the winter which usually means less light than they would get further south.

It's not a big deal for the trees not to bloom, Im just happy to be able to keep them happy enough that they survive well up here.

If you let them grow unchecked, you might regret it if they get beyond the design. BRT are fast growers and can easily get out of control where the branches get too big/thick