General features of the plant, the rules for growing brachychiton at home, transplanting, feeding and reproduction, difficulties, interesting facts, species. Most often, people are already fed up with simple plants that have been growing in our homes for a long time. Tired of looking at fuchsias and geraniums, even lemons with orchids are no longer considered exotic, and so you want to surprise everyone who comes to your house. In nature, there are many green representatives of the flora that fit today's interiors and at the same time have an incomparable appearance. These are the bottle trees, and one of the examples is Brachychiton.
This is a representative of the Malvaceae family, or, according to some sources, Sterculiaceae, which includes almost 60 more plant species that differ in shrub or tree-like growth. Most of the varieties of the family for their life "chose" the territory of the Australian continent, the lands of Southeast Asia and Oceania.
The plant has its name from the Greek words "brachy" translated as "short" and "chyton", meaning "shirt". Naturally, the chiton meant the shell with which the seeds were surrounded. It has a yellowish tint due to its thick, shirt-like bristles formed by hairiness. It will not be possible to see seeds in indoor conditions, since there is no flowering in the premises. Brachychiton was first described by the German botanist Kar Moritz Schumann, who lived in 1851-1904. The scientist was a great specialist in the field of fern plants, and also studied algae and seed flora. The plant is popularly called the "bottle tree" because of its trunk, which, having a thickening, is so decoratively intertwined that it is similar to the outline of a bottle with an elongated neck.
In height, the parameters of brachychiton can vary from one meter to 45 meters with a base diameter of up to 3 meters. Green twigs grow from the bottle-shaped trunk. The expansion at the bottom of it is called "caudex", in which the plant accumulates a large amount of moisture and nutrients, in case of unfavorable climatic conditions of growth. The substances in this "bottle expansion" are arranged in layers: the bottom is water, and the top is a nutrient solution, which tastes very sweet. The color of the bark is from light to dark brown.
The leaf plates of brachychiton are juicy, their color is dark emerald. On one plant, the shape of the leaves is very diverse: there may be simple oval outlines and those with a surface divided into lobes (the number of blades varies within 3-5 units). It all depends on the age of the leaf, when it is very young, then its shape is simple.
On one plant, both female and male flowers can easily grow, however, there are also monoecious species. The perianth of the bud is bell-shaped, it consists of petals arranged in a row. In almost all varieties, the color of the flowers is bright, rich, coral red, pinkish, green or cream, white. Specks and specks of different shades are placed on the surface of the petal inside the bud. If the bud is female, then it has 5 separated pistils. The flower can measure 1, 5 cm in diameter. Dense panicle inflorescences are collected from the buds, in the form of scutes, which give the barhichiton an unforgettable beauty.
When the fruit ripens, pods appear with a thick skin. These pod formations contain edible seeds, which are actively used in the cooking of local peoples. The surface of the seeds is yellow due to the bristly coating that is created by the hairs. Seeds are collected only with gloves, as itchy skin may occur when touching the bristly "robe". The length of each pod can be up to 10 cm. Their shade has a purple tint, which makes them look quite decorative on the tree.
The roots of the bottle tree are also eaten. When they are young, they can be used in culinary products because of their juiciness and nutritional value, as root vegetables. Brachychiton, when caring for oneself, does not require increased attention and any special growing conditions. Even a novice florist who does not have sufficient experience can cope with it.
Agrotechnics when growing a bottle tree, care
- Lighting good is necessary for brachychiton, he loves bright sunlight, so the pot can be placed on the windowsills of windows, "looking" to the southeast, southwest and south. Only with the arrival of the summer months during the midday period will it be necessary to shade the plant with light curtains so that the foliage does not sunburn. If there is not enough light, then the tree should be supplemented with phytolamps. The plant is gradually accustomed to the sun's rays.
- Content temperature. For normal growth, you will need to withstand heat indicators in the range of 25-28 degrees. There is no need to provide special conditions for wintering, but it is only important to ensure that the temperature does not drop below 10 degrees. In the spring-summer period, when there will be no morning frosts, you can take the pot with brachychiton to fresh air.
- Air humidity. Since he is a resident of the arid regions of the planet, he perfectly tolerates the dry air of living quarters, but in winter you should not put a pot with brachychiton next to heating devices or central heating batteries. You just need to remember that with low humidity, the plant is attacked by harmful insects.
- Watering. As soon as the new season of active vegetation of the plant begins, moistening should be carried out abundantly and regularly, but in this case the state of the upper soil layer serves as a guideline: if it has dried out (when it crumbles into a pinch), then it is worth watering brachychiton. The water used is soft and warm. In the autumn-winter period, humidification decreases, and if wintering is cool, then they become very rare.
- Fertilizers for the bottle tree make only once a month from early spring to late summer. A full mineral complex is used, but in a very low concentration.
- Pruning and general care. In the spring, it will be necessary to pinch the tops of the branches, since the brachychiton has a tendency to pull out. You can start pruning branches from February. They are then recommended to be used for breeding.
- Transplant, choice of pot and soil. The pot and soil are changed to Brachychiton, only when the existing earthen lump is completely braided by the roots of the plant. For young "bottle trees" this time usually comes every year, and for older specimens the change of soil and flowerpot is carried out only once every 3-4 years. “Brachychiton must be planted at the same depth at which it grew before. A layer of expanded clay or small pebbles should be poured at the bottom of the pot. Since the aboveground part of the plant is more underground, so that the flowerpot does not roll over, heavy ceramic or clay pots are selected.
The substrate will need to be used loose, with good permeability to air and water. The following components are usually mixed:
- peat soil, leafy soil, river sand (in proportions 1: 1: 2);
- sod soil, leafy earth, humus, peat and coarse sand (all parts are equal);
- ordinary garden soil mixed with river sand and fine gravel.
Tips for breeding brachychiton at home
It is possible to get a young tree by planting seeds or by cuttings.
It is necessary to cut semi-lignified twigs with a length of at least 10 cm, from the tops of the shoots. Planting of cuttings is carried out in a pot filled with moist sand or a sand-peat mixture. It is recommended to treat the slices with a rooting stimulator (for example, Kornevin) before planting. After planting, the cuttings must be placed under a glass cover or covered with plastic wrap. This will help maintain moisture around the branches and create a kind of mini greenhouse. The temperature during germination should not go beyond 24-27 degrees. You will need to regularly ventilate the cuttings and moisten the substrate if necessary.
As soon as the plant takes root, it is possible to transplant young brachychitons into separate containers with a diameter of 9 cm, filled with a suitable substrate.
The seeds of the plant are often purchased from flower shops. Before planting, you will need to scarify them (scratch the shell with a file or file, sandpaper, you can wipe it with sand). Then planting is carried out in peat-sandy soil or moistened sand. The temperature during germination should not fall below 25 degrees. The container with crops is covered with glass or polyethylene. Daily ventilation and, if necessary, moistening of the substrate are important. When the first pair of leaves appears on the sprouts, they dive into separate containers with a diameter of 7 cm.
Pests and diseases of brachychiton
Usually problems with the plant occur due to violation of the conditions of detention, these include:
- with increased illumination, brachychiton can be susceptible to leaf burns, while the color of the foliage turns pale;
- if there is a lack of light, then the plant begins to ache;
- when the soil is flooded, it begins to rot rapidly;
- dry spots on leaf plates indicate reduced air humidity and excessive lighting.
Among the pests of the bottle tree, spider mites, scale insects and aphids can be distinguished. The following symptoms may appear: brown plaques on the back of the leaf plates, cobweb? wrapping leaves and branches, small bugs or sticky sugary bloom, leaves turn yellow, deformed and fall off, the plant stops growing.
To combat them, you will need to process the leaves, branches and the trunk with soap (by mixing laundry soap with water), oil or alcohol solutions. If these funds do not get rid of pests, then they are sprayed with insecticides.
Interesting facts about brachychiton
In different areas where brachychiton grows from time immemorial, it is considered a "tree of happiness", it can easily clean the air in the room from harmful substances and significantly improve the microclimate. There is also information that this exotic can bring positive energy to those rooms, giving peace and confidence to those present.
The plant, like everything from the genus of "bottle trees", is distinguished by the originality of its forms and can perfectly fit into the interior, which is decorated in high-tech style. According to many observations, brachychiton reacts very negatively to tobacco smoke. In the territory of Eastern Australia, where the regions with the arid climates are located, very huge plants (up to 45 m in height) can be found and their caudex are also impressive in size. The cavity, which is located at the bottom of the trunk (located between the bark and the wood) retains water, but already above (where the middle part of the trunk is located) there is a thick and sweet juice, according to experts and locals, it has very nutritious properties that quickly quench thirsty.
Seed powder is used in the manufacture of chocolate and tonic drinks, as it has a tonic effect. Tablets based on this brachychiton powder are used by people leading an overactive lifestyle: climbers, skiers, pilots.
Types of brachychiton
- Maple-leaved brachychiton (Brachychiton acerifolius) is a tree-like plant mainly found on the Australian coast. It is this variety that has received the greatest recognition among flower growers and lovers of exotic representatives of the flora. The species bears its name because of the shape of the leaves from the Latin word "acer", translated as "maple". The plant can be found under the synonym Sterculia acerifolia. Can reach a maximum height of 30–35 cm and a width of 8–12 cm, especially when grown in warm climates. The leaf plate reaches a length of 25 cm, and has a simple shape. There is an irregularity along the edge, which varies from zero to highly irregular. The number of shares in a cut sheet is 3-5 units. Outside of natural growing conditions (in a cool climate), the tree can shed its foliage for the winter. The leaf plate is leathery, shiny, bright greenish color. The flowering process is observed in the 5-8 year of life of the brachychiton and takes place in the summer months. The outlines of the buds are bell-shaped, they are located in groups, gathering in panicle-shaped corymbose inflorescences. The color of the petals of the buds is bright coral red. The diameter of the flower reaches 2 cm. The fruit ripens in the form of a large leaflet, which is filled with seeds similar to corn grains. The length of the fruit reaches 10 cm.
- Brachychiton rock (Brachychiton rupestris) also found under the name bottle tree. The trunk in natural conditions in height can approach 15 meters. At its base there is an extension (caudex) reaching parameters in diameter of 1.5–2 m. From a distance, the plant is very similar to a giant bottle. A large amount of moisture accumulates in the caudex, which helps to cope with arid conditions during the life of the plant. There are dwarf varieties of this species.
- Brachychiton varifolia (Brachychiton populneus) in the literature it can be found under the synonym Sterculia diversifolia. An evergreen arboreal representative of the Malvov family, with wide and oblong-elongated outlines. It has dense branching and heights ranging from 6–20 m, with a width of 3–6 m at the base. The leaf blades are lumpy, glossy, and dark emerald colored. The length is measured 4–12 cm, there is a division into 3–5 lobes, on one tree. Panicle inflorescences with outlines of scutes, located in leaf axils or may be terminal. They collect flowers with a saucer shape, the petals of which are painted in green, cream or pink tones. The diameter of the bud reaches 15 cm. On the surface of the flower petals there is a pattern of brown or red spots. The flowering process occurs in the summer months.
- Brachychiton multi-colored (Brachychiton discolor) is a tree-like plant with a semi-evergreen mass or completely deciduous. Height indices can vary within 10–30 m with a width of 5–15 m. The trunk of this brachychiton species is thick, covered with a light green bark, branches are widely spaced. The leaf plates are attached to the shoots with long petioles. The leaves are broadly oval in shape, there is a division into 3–7 lobes. Their surface is covered with villi, the color of the leaf is medium green. The length of the leaf reaches 10–20 cm, on the reverse side pubescence in the form of a whitish tide felt. Paniculate inflorescences, corymbose are located in the axils of the leaves, consist of many buds, dense. The flowers are bell-shaped, pink or reddish. Their width is measured 5 cm. Flowering takes place during the summer.
- Brachychiton bidwilli represented by a dwarf decorative tree of compact size, reaching 40–50 cm. The foliage is beautiful, rugged. Dense inflorescences are collected from the flowers.
What brachychiton looks like, see this video:
