Brazilian Rain Tree

$81.28
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The Brazilian Rain Tree (Pithecellobium tortum) is native to the rainforests of Brazil. One of the unique features of this hardwood species is that the leaves curl up in the evening and open up when the sun comes out. It also has white or pink flowers with a pleasant fragrance. Although it will tolerate dry conditions for short spells, it prefers evenly moist soil. 

The Brazilian Rainforest Tree loves lots of sunlight and can be kept outside as long as the temperature stays above 8° celsius. When in a Bonsai pot, it is best to protect it from mid-day sun in a bit of shade, but direct morning and afternoon sun if possible. 

 

BONSAI CARE

The Brazilian Rainforest Tree thrives in heat and light. When grown indoors, it needs 8 hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive. This tree will almost certainly need a grow light to supplement light unless placed in a large south-facing window. 

Watering: Keep the root ball moist without letting it dry out completely. If using a moisture meter, try to maintain at least 30% moisture. The Brazilian Rainforest Tree will also benefit from regular misting and a humidity tray. 

Fertilizing:

  1. During the growing season (Spring to Fall), fertilize with a liquid fertilizer every week or once a month with a solid fertilizer.
  2. During the winter months, use liquid fertilizer once a month or a solid fertilizer for the whole winter.
  3. Never fertilize a weak or unhealthy Bonsai.

Pruning: The Brazilian Rainforest Tree can withstand pruning but always leave a nub when pruning branches as some die-back might occur. Although the Brazilian Rainforest Tree can be wired, it is easier to shape using guy wires. 

Repotting: it is recommended to be repotted every two years in the Spring or early summer. Older Bonsai can go three to four years between repotting. Trim the root ball only on the edges.  

 

PRODUCT DETAILS

YOUNG: 6" - 12" tall, comes in a 6" grower's pot.

SHOHIN MATURE: 6"-12" tall, comes in a 5" handmade ceramic pot. 

MATURE: 8" - 16" tall, comes in an 8" handmade ceramic pot.

 

These are not seeds - But an Actual Living Bonsai Tree.

Please see our Choosing a Bonsai page for the age and dimensions regarding the different stages of our Bonsai (Baby, Young, & Mature).

Soil (Substrate)

Bonsai soils are usually a mixture of organic potting compost (Pine Bark or Forest Floor), Akadamapumice, lava rock in varying amounts. 

It is important for the soil have good water retention while also draining well, along with very good aeration. The quality of the soil directly affects the health, size and growth of your tree. One of the worst things you can do to your tree is plant it in regular garden soil. Garden soil hardens when it drys and can often lead to a disadvantage when growing a Bonsai. 

Soil mixtures can be purchased here, but given their weight and cost of shipping, you can also easily make your own. 

 

Depending on the type of Bonsai you're growing, here are the general formulas for successful mixtures. 

Deciduous Tree (Leafy and looses leafs in the fall)

50% Akadama

20% Pumice

20% Lava Rock

10% Potting Compost

 

Coniferous Tree (Evergreen like Juniper, Cedar)

1/3 Akadama

1/3 Pumice

1/3 Lava Rock

 

If you are not able to check on your Bonsai's moisture levels daily, add more Akadama to the mix. 

Given how these soils erode over time, repotting every 2-3 years is required. 

 

Here are some suitable replacements if you cannot find the recommended types of soil.

  • Akadama - fine fired or baked clays, some even recommend cat litter as a substitute. 
  • Pumice - fine crushed aggregates, expanded shale and vermiculite.
  • Lava Rock - This can be replaced with fine gravel or you can also look into purchasing a larger lava rock at a hardware or gardening centre and crushing it. 

 

Fertilizer

One of the best and easiest ways to fertilize your Bonsai, is to add a liquid fertilizer mix when water your Bonsai's once a month during the spring/summer. If your Bonsai looses leaves in the winter there is no need to fertilize it then. If you have a coniferous tree, fertilizing the tree once in the beginning of winter and once in the middle of winter should be sufficient.

  

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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A
Arti (North York, CA)
Brazilian rain tree

Arrived in perfect condition ! Growing beautifully! Love this !!!

G
Gabriel Castro (Brantford, CA)
Love it!

Love my first Brazilian rain tree! As a native from Brazil I was surprised they even had bonsai of this. So happy!

R
Robert Lee (Dartmouth, CA)
Brazilian Rain Tree

Arrived, as usual, well wrapped and full of leaves, very robust. Will look at getting another next year. If any doubt about the weather going below 8, take it in. We had 24C days and it was doing really well, then one night it dropped to 4C. Tree lost between 1/3 and 1/2 half it's leaves but it is hardy enough. Took it in and It is coming back very nicely. Not much watering but a lot of misting seems to be the best.

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