Brt

JudyB · Jan 18, 2014

While working on updating my olive, I realize I've never shared my Brazilian Rain tree. I have renovated this one significantly this year, it is going to be a mother daughter tree now. I wounded the bark on the base and was able to get a bud to pop. I recently cut a lot off the left side as well, and will probably give this a tilt when I repot to exaggerate the curve.

Believe it or not, I just repotted this a few weeks ago, the growth was so strong, and I needed to get the angle corrected to the daughter tree to begin shaping.
It's popping new buds everywhere, still looking for one mid-upper left. I may cut the lower left alltogether if I can get one above it.

I've had this one for a looong time, but never took many photos. Here is one from it's earlier days.

Cadillactaste · Jan 18, 2014

With the curve to the trunk...it will look as if this tree was always meant for the mother/daughter look. Great creative idea with this...love your ideas and look forward to seeing it develop.

Bonsai Nut · Jan 18, 2014

Wow you got that 2nd trunk right where you need it!

JudyB · Jan 18, 2014

Yeah, lucky on that one, but they do seem to pop where wounded sometimes if you can keep them wet enough. I gotta figure out how to keep it wet up on the trunk where I want that bud...
And the place that's peeling near the daughter trunk is the bark beginning to exfoliate as its swelling very fast now on the base..

sean f · Jan 18, 2014

JudyB said:
Yeah, lucky on that one, but they do seem to pop where wounded sometimes if you can keep them wet enough. I gotta figure out how to keep it wet up on the trunk where I want that bud...
And the place that's peeling near the daughter trunk is the bark beginning to exfoliate as its swelling very fast now on the base..

Maybe you could try using some spaghum moss and tape to keep it wet where you need it

JudyB · Jan 18, 2014

sean f said:
Maybe you could try using some spaghum moss and tape to keep it wet where you need it

Thought of that but wondered if the bud would be able to pop thru the moss, and how I'd get the tape off without damaging the new sprout...

Cadillactaste · Jan 18, 2014

What about raffia around the moss? Then tied off...

sean f · Jan 18, 2014

JudyB said:
Thought of that but wondered if the bud would be able to pop thru the moss, and how I'd get the tape off without damaging the new sprout...

Just do it loose or you could use plastic wrap ,then you could see what's going on.

Don Blackmond · Jan 18, 2014

2 things. first, use the tips of your scissors to poke and bore 2-4 small holes where you want your sprout to form. Mist a few times daily. You should get a reaction bud. second, if no success, or you simply want to do it another way, let a branch shoot run wild, keeping other growth in check, and use it to thread graft. You tree should grow long shoots quickly, so thread grafting is a pretty quick and safe solution.

I used to love tropicals. Probably still do, but suppress that love given my zone and the cost of providing the correct climate mechanically..... Anyway, I used to have some rain trees. Some nice ones too. I sold them all. Sold one to Doug Paul. I see its for sale now, in case anyone wants a really big, jawdropper....

JudyB · Jan 19, 2014

Don Blackmond said:
2 things. first, use the tips of your scissors to poke and bore 2-4 small holes where you want your sprout to form. Mist a few times daily. You should get a reaction bud. second, if no success, or you simply want to do it another way, let a branch shoot run wild, keeping other growth in check, and use it to thread graft. You tree should grow long shoots quickly, so thread grafting is a pretty quick and safe solution.

I used to love tropicals. Probably still do, but suppress that love given my zone and the cost of providing the correct climate mechanically..... Anyway, I used to have some rain trees. Some nice ones too. I sold them all. Sold one to Doug Paul. I see its for sale now, in case anyone wants a really big, jawdropper....

Thanks for all the ideas...
Don, I already poked and misted, but I only did a couple holes. I'll try more. Better in a ring? I have an old bud site that I am trying around. I did top and bottom. I could thread if no luck again. I thought of taking a piece of tissue (like when you cut yourself shaving) and sticking it there, it would stay moister longer. But I worry about the bud having trouble with that.

If you have smaller trees, and a south facing window, you don't really need that much... At least I don't, I only have a seedling heat mat and fluorescents.
I think I've seen that tree, it's up on the kennett collection sale right? And you may have posed a pic here I think once. yow.

Don Blackmond · Jan 19, 2014

this is it, back when I had it.

JudyB · Jan 19, 2014

Awesome. Great container combo too.

Don Blackmond · Jan 19, 2014

JudyB said:
Awesome. Great container combo too.

this is a different tree, but still pretty cool

woodguy · Jan 19, 2014

Cool tree Judy. Coming along very nicely.

Poink88 · Jan 19, 2014

Don Blackmond said:
this is it, back when I had it.

Played with it on paint. This is what jumped at me as a possible goal if I own this tree (hope you don't mind)...

Poink88 · Jan 19, 2014

Don Blackmond said:
2 things. first, use the tips of your scissors to poke and bore 2-4 small holes where you want your sprout to form. Mist a few times daily. You should get a reaction bud. second, if no success, or you simply want to do it another way, let a branch shoot run wild, keeping other growth in check, and use it to thread graft. You tree should grow long shoots quickly, so thread grafting is a pretty quick and safe solution.

Thanks for the tips!!!

JudyB · Jan 19, 2014

I am actually wondering if I even want a branch stylistically now on the left side. Maybe this tree would be better with the large open space, and very short and few branches left. I cut the top left branch back about 1/2 this morning, and that's what made me start to think I don't need it. I'm trying the tissue paper and a couple more holes anyway, if I don't want the bud (if it pops) it's easy to get rid of.
Thoughts about leaving the left blank?

Very big movement on that one Don, was it collected?

Don Blackmond · Jan 19, 2014

Seed grown Judy.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Try for the bud. If you get it, let it run and see if it suits you. If you don't get one, then consider a thread graft. Its easy. These trees grow quickly so you can develop your branch in short order. I used metal halide lights with mine during winter and that helped the growth season. Feed it heavily and it will grow like a weed.

JudyB · Oct 19, 2014

update

Thought I'd post an update on this one, it's looking pretty nice in person for a small tree. I'm happy with the direction, and will continue to let it run in the summers for developing a heavier trunk.

florida_bonsai · Oct 19, 2014

Great looking tree Judy! Can't wait to see the growth it puts on next Summer.

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