Brazilian Raintree help!!

[FrankenNeko]

Hey everyone, I am very new to bonsai. My brazilian raintree has been looking pretty glum lately. At first, it was my proudest tree. But for the past week the leaves have looked very dried up and have not opened at all. All of the leaves are still green in color, but do not look lively. I also noticed small sap droplets on the branches. I live in central texas and it was been extremely hot this month. However I have raised this tree as an indoor bonsai. It sits by a window that gets plenty of sunlight and I water it every 3 days. I wonder if the sunlight is too intense now that it is summer time and we're reaching temperatures of 105? I'm looking for some advice, this is really a beautiful tree and I would hate to lose it.

Jen

 

[mat]

Maybe your AC has been running overtime lately, thus drying out the air in your house more than usual. Just a guess. Why keep it inside if you live in Texas?

 

[FrankenNeko]

The tag that was attached to it when I received it said to keep it indoors... I also have a dwarf jade that i keep indoors, and my juniper is outside. Could they all survive outside? But back to the Brazilian, yes the ac has been running non stop, and can get particularly cold in the spot where my plant is kept. Should i just put the plant outside? get a humidifier?

 

[mat]

Lots of threads on this lately....pretty much all trees will do better outside than inside. BRT's are tropical plants, and probably won't mind the heat as log as you're on top of the watering. Portulacarias (dwarf jades) also don't mind heat and sun. I've never had either out in 105degrees, so that may warrant a little special care - shade cloth, partial sun, extra watering, etc.

My answers to your questions: Could they all survive outside? yes Should I just put the plant outside? I would. get a humidifier? I wouldn't.

I'm not saying that's what's causing your BRT's problems, but that's the first thing that came to my mind.

 

[Projekt Robi]

jades are succulent and prefer short periods of heat and dryness

 

[FrankenNeko]

Thank you so much for all the advice! ^_^

 

[Canchinflin]

I just got a Brazilian Rain Tree and I'm growing it indoors...I live in AZ and was having problems leaving the tree outside 109 degree temps...I asked for help on this very subject earlier this month...I bought a high pressure sodium light and built an enclosure out of PVC pipe and wrapped it in ceram wrap to create humidity for it my next step is to get a fan for it so it can create air circulation for it and not attract unwanted pests...at first leaving my tree outside it was starting to look real sad and like it wouldnt survive now theres all kinds of new growth...there are some that prefer outdoor growing conditions vs indoor growing conditions as trees are meant to be grown outside...I totally get that but if you can recreate a tropical climate where your tree can grow indoors and it works for you why not....in the end to each his own...I've decided to grow both indoors and outdoors but my BRT will remain indoors...your 3 day watering schedule should probably be changed to the chopstick method and water it when needed everyone told me the same and they wear dead on it was a way better system to check if the tree needed water as opposed to letting a set amount of days go by before your next watering...so sorry for the long post hope at least some of it is useful stick to the forums there's a lot of helpful individuals with a wealth of knowledge that can help

 

[jackg]

Have four or five Brazalian Raintrees. Oldest is 10 years old, received it as a seedling. Grown entirely out of doors here in East Tennessee. To the best of my knowledge it is Sub Tropical, and I leave it out of doors all year round. Mine are doing well even in this unusual hot spell we are having here. Have grown new trees from cuttings, and if I don't move them about they tend to root right through the ground cloth. Morning sun light in either Az or Tx would be the best idea. No tree does well indoors, unless birds can fly through your house unimpeded by windows.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Have four or five Brazalian Raintrees. Oldest is 10 years old, received it as a seedling. Grown entirely out of doors here in East Tennessee. To the best of my knowledge it is Sub Tropical, and I leave it out of doors all year round. Mine are doing well even in this unusual hot spell we are having here. Have grown new trees from cuttings, and if I don't move them about they tend to root right through the ground cloth. Morning sun light in either Az or Tx would be the best idea. No tree does well indoors, unless birds can fly through your house unimpeded by windows.

Hmm you sure it's a BRT? They're rated zones 9-11, and don't like temps below 45F or so. Isn't TN like a zone 6 or 7??

 

[FrankenNeko]

I moved my BRT outside and have been watering it as needed. It has only been a couple days. It looks pretty much the same so far but we will see what happens!

 

[october]

Just a couple of tree facts here....Sometimes, when trees are stressed, they do not come back or show signs of improving right away. Sometimes it can be weeks and in some species cases, months, before they begin to show signs of recovery. Also, all trees will be much happier and live longer outdoors. If it becomes incredibly hot, the tree can be moved to a shady spot. Also, sometimes you will need to water 2-3 times a day. Basically, not matter what the species, all trees, temp permitting, should be outdoors from Spring to Fall. Of course some will need winter protection in certain zones.

Rob

 

[FrankenNeko]

Udate: it rained this morning and now the leaves on the tree look very yellow.

 

[Alex Scott]

I have the same problem. I go to boarding school, and I left my Brazilian under a grow light before I left for thanksgiving break. When I got back the leaves were shriveled ( still green though). My light had been turned off by my dorm parent. I've put it in a bag to keep moisture in. What should I do? The BRT hasn't bounced back yet, and I'm really worried about it.

 

[Alex Scott]

I have the same problem. I go to boarding school, and I left my Brazilian under a grow light before I left for thanksgiving break. When I got back the leaves were shriveled ( still green though). My light had been turned off by my dorm parent. I've put it in a bag to keep moisture in. What should I do? The BRT hasn't bounced back yet, and I'm really worried about it.

If pictures would help I can post those as well, so that someone may be able to diagnose my plant and tell me what to do.

 

[JudyB]

Have you scratched the bark to see if there is green under it? If there is, then just keep it moist, but not wet, and keep waiting. If there is no green, then bin it.

 

[Alex Scott]

Do I just do it on the trunk with a knife for the scratch test?

 

[Alex Scott]

Still green underneath.

 

[fredman]

I also have a dwarf jade that i keep indoors

Don't know much about a raintree, but a jade definitely needs to be kept outside to get the best from it. Where they grow naturally it gets VERY hot and dry. They like that.....
In direct harsh sun all day, their leaves goes yellow. Indoors the leaves goes all green again. Best is to put it in a spot that gives it lots of sun, but protection in the afternoon. The leaves should have a deep green with a red edge....that is one happy jade

 

[JudyB]

Just keep waiting then... Don't try to force anything. Keep warm and moist, but don't overwater it, as you'll get root rot.