How To Care For Your Brazilian Rain Tree Bonsai Tree
Pithecellobium Tortum Bonsai Care
About The Brazilian Raintree Bonsai Tree
The Brazilian Rain Tree is a hardwood that's native to the rainforests of Brazil. The rain tree has delicate branches and tiny light green leaves and spines. The leaves will fold up at night and open up again come morning.
Its grows fragrant fuzzy flowers.
The unique appearance of the rain tree make it one of the most interesting rainforest bonsai's.
This tree will tolerate temperatures in the upper 30's, but not for very long. Although they grow in full sun in nature, Brazilian Raintrees as bonsai seem to appreciate some shade during the hottest days of tropical summers.
This is a tree that can survive, and thrive, indoors as a houseplant all year long.
Placement
The Brazilian Raintree can live indoors all year, but would prefer to be outdoors as long as the temperature remains above 45 degrees. It loves light, and should get plenty of it on a south (or east, or west) facing windowsill while indoors -- though it does well in lower light conditions.
Watering
The Brazilian Rain Tree, like most bonsai trees, will die if it dries out. It enjoys plenty of water in well draining soil. Never let it dry out completely.
Humidity
The Brazilian Rain Tree loves humidity, but will be just fine in drier air.
Fertilizing
Since your Brazilian Rain Tree bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients. A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.
Pruning & Trimming
Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.
A regular trim will help keep your Brazilian Rain Tree bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.
Repotting
Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, Brazilian Rain Tree included, when its root system has filled the pot. If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.
Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen. Brazilian Rain Tree, being tropical, will need to be repotted around every 2-4 years depending on its environment.
Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.
Your Brazilian Rain Tree bonsai, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot. From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.)
Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.
After repotting, your bonsai Brazilian Rain Tree should be thoroughly watered.
Diseases, Insects & Other Pests
Your Brazilian Rain Tree bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal Brazilian Rain Tree. Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.
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