Advice for my Brazilian Raintree

JuniperSol

Shohin
Messages
287
Reaction score
220
Location
Georgia
USDA Zone
7b
So I am a recent owner of a Brazilian Raintree. I’ve been doing my best to take care of it (keeping it under a large grow light while it was indoors [moved it outside today in the shade to integrate it], watering when needed, fertilizing, etc.) but want to get some advice. I’ve attached photos to address certain issues and to emphasize that I am getting new growth.

1. I am having some leaves fall out. Is this normal? I’ve only had the tree for about a month.

2. I have two large branches that are way too close together and the leaves collide into each other. When can I remove that pesky lower branch?

3. One of the branches is a bit deformed. It looks like more growth is coming from under the branch rather than the top. Thoughts?

4. I have had a bad aphid infestation which I have been dealing with using insecticidal soap (with success). But it had left a lot of new leaves deformed and covered in some strange stringy substance. Advice?

5. Outside of new growth, is it possible to defoliate? If not, that’s fine. But if someone could let me know when I could prune, that would be helpful for the future. I do not plan to repot this year.
 

Attachments

  • 99AC7A5F-4DA2-4F51-891D-A38B9517837D.jpeg
    99AC7A5F-4DA2-4F51-891D-A38B9517837D.jpeg
    138.8 KB · Views: 66
  • 8C1473A2-F7AF-44EC-9653-4B0F5287FC4C.jpeg
    8C1473A2-F7AF-44EC-9653-4B0F5287FC4C.jpeg
    218.4 KB · Views: 63
  • CB308A87-19E7-4490-AA6B-CF55E5F6FEEB.jpeg
    CB308A87-19E7-4490-AA6B-CF55E5F6FEEB.jpeg
    230.2 KB · Views: 63
  • 7EE89662-A171-4942-96AD-B9F191BCE29F.jpeg
    7EE89662-A171-4942-96AD-B9F191BCE29F.jpeg
    269 KB · Views: 62
  • E540EAF5-F16A-4D10-9134-6E7249F9A5B3.jpeg
    E540EAF5-F16A-4D10-9134-6E7249F9A5B3.jpeg
    189 KB · Views: 61
  • BB5DE902-F974-40A6-9607-E0DC6F4ADEFF.jpeg
    BB5DE902-F974-40A6-9607-E0DC6F4ADEFF.jpeg
    129 KB · Views: 58
  • 49D3C3B2-B723-42AB-9B8C-4A98EFAABCE7.jpeg
    49D3C3B2-B723-42AB-9B8C-4A98EFAABCE7.jpeg
    209.9 KB · Views: 54
  • DA54BE43-E306-4D63-8E5E-7C824408149B.jpeg
    DA54BE43-E306-4D63-8E5E-7C824408149B.jpeg
    126.5 KB · Views: 53
  • 4237DEB4-757C-4810-9762-948246EB2D56.jpeg
    4237DEB4-757C-4810-9762-948246EB2D56.jpeg
    151.7 KB · Views: 47
  • 68C9CDA7-10AD-4C00-9301-1ADD6CD8B9AD.jpeg
    68C9CDA7-10AD-4C00-9301-1ADD6CD8B9AD.jpeg
    117 KB · Views: 71

HorseloverFat

Squarepants with Conkers
Messages
11,356
Reaction score
16,220
Location
Northeast Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
I LOVE trees/foliage like this lately... my Parkinsonias and Texas Ebonies are fast becoming my favorite to “observe”

I don’t have any BRT’s, though...

But if I DID.... I’d summon @LanceMac10 for some info.
 

JuniperSol

Shohin
Messages
287
Reaction score
220
Location
Georgia
USDA Zone
7b
I LOVE trees/foliage like this lately... my Parkinsonias and Texas Ebonies are fast becoming my favorite to “observe”

I don’t have any BRT’s, though...

But if I DID.... I’d summon @LanceMac10 for some info.
I’ve been tempted by Texas Embonies lately. Might get one
 

HorseloverFat

Squarepants with Conkers
Messages
11,356
Reaction score
16,220
Location
Northeast Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
I’ve been tempted by Texas Embonies lately. Might get one
I ORIGINALLY got a “young” one.. to fill out my meehan’s (HIGHLY recommended) shipping requirements.

I pruned a little off the top, put some interest in it.. and absolutely fell in love... can’t wait until repot (right after “high summer”)!
 

Carol 83

Flower Girl
Messages
11,120
Reaction score
27,118
Location
IL
Like 85, honestly... but like 203 percent humidity. 🤣🤣

(Certain Sun-optimal days in my “area” I’ll reach 97-100.... at like 30 percent humidity 😬)

Wisconsin is weird.
Oh we get the humidity here too, like take your breath away. Just reminds me, I gotta' move....
 

Carol 83

Flower Girl
Messages
11,120
Reaction score
27,118
Location
IL
This went from “help me with my BRT” to talking about weather 😂
I apologize. I have a couple, hoping to move outside soon. I have never defoliated mine, but some do. Have also never had any pests on mine.
 

LanceMac10

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,798
Reaction score
17,176
Location
Nashua, NH U.S.A.
USDA Zone
5
meh.....told about enough...BRT's are not "rainforest trees", they're indigenous to coastal areas and grow in rocky, sandy shallows.


...aarrggh
 

HorseloverFat

Squarepants with Conkers
Messages
11,356
Reaction score
16,220
Location
Northeast Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
This went from “help me with my BRT” to talking about weather 😂
I do not SEE pests in your photos... but much of what you described SOUNDS pest-related.

You stated that you HAD an infestation and had been treating with insecticidal soap.. what was your schedule for that like?

Stringy substance? ..like webs? Or tiny-scaled cotton candy?

Compound leaved trees are varied in “blowing/discolored” leaves.. so THIS is somewhat normal. But.. deformed is NEVER good..

What kind of fertilizer/fertilizer routine?

You mentioned a grow light.. how many hours per day is it operating?

Is it operating in unison with a window? If so, what way does the window face?

How’s the humidity?

Did you repot recently?
 

JuniperSol

Shohin
Messages
287
Reaction score
220
Location
Georgia
USDA Zone
7b
meh.....told about enough...BRT's are not "rainforest trees", they're indigenous to coastal areas and grow in rocky, sandy shallows.


...aarrggh
Yep, off the coast of Rio de Janiero
 

JuniperSol

Shohin
Messages
287
Reaction score
220
Location
Georgia
USDA Zone
7b
I do not SEE pests in your photos... but much of what you described SOUNDS pest-related.

You stated that you HAD an infestation and had been treating with insecticidal soap.. what was your schedule for that like?

Stringy substance? ..like webs? Or tiny-scaled cotton candy?

Compound leaved trees are varied in “blowing/discolored” leaves.. so THIS is somewhat normal. But.. deformed is NEVER good..

What kind of fertilizer/fertilizer routine?

You mentioned a grow light.. how many hours per day is it operating?

Is it operating in unison with a window? If so, what way does the window face?

How’s the humidity?

Did you repot recently?
1) I used it every other day, mainly just aiming at the bugs themselves
2) It's in the photos
3) I bought it with deformed leaves
4) Miracle grow plant food, once every two weeks during the growing season
5) from around 8am to 7pm
6) It used to be in front of a south-facing window, but the leaves would not perk up
7) Averages 30-40 unless it rains
8) No
 

LanceMac10

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,798
Reaction score
17,176
Location
Nashua, NH U.S.A.
USDA Zone
5
If purchased from a greenhouse it safe to say that maybe some "mildew" is the black at areas. Nursury might not be vigilant.


edit....mom's and @WeeMac on vakay.....so, you know, My Tai....
 
Last edited:

LanceMac10

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
6,798
Reaction score
17,176
Location
Nashua, NH U.S.A.
USDA Zone
5
Number 4 in your original post tells me there is a serious infestation afoot and your treatment might not be efficacious as you think. Put this outdoors if you able.



......mmgmjfdshroiurfthgz;o/oijszjszjszjsz/fok'foip9yws9r
 

JuniperSol

Shohin
Messages
287
Reaction score
220
Location
Georgia
USDA Zone
7b
Number 4 in your original post tells me there is a serious infestation afoot and your treatment might not be efficacious as you think. Put this outdoors if you able.



......mmgmjfdshroiurfthgz;o/oijszjszjszjsz/fok'foip9yws9r
It’s outdoors now
 
Top Bottom