Brazilian Raintree Potting Medium Ratios.

[choppychoppy]

W


Be VERY careful about the quantity of Akadama in your soil in Fl. To much can turn to mud and kill a tree quick. I would recommend about 20% MAX. Humidity and daily rain during Fl summers will be dangerous. A drier mix is better. Water can be added but not removed.

What about Boon's mix (1 part lava rock, 1 part pumice, 1 part akadama, 1 cup horticulture charcoal per 5 gallon mix, and 1 cup decomposed granite per 5 gallon mix. What size particles should I use and can you add aged pine bark, if so how much? Or what soil mix with ratios would you recommend in Florida?
[/QUOTE]

If you're going with the mix above I wouldn't worry about adding pine bark. It will be fine. Just watch the tree and water accordingly. Watering will depend on pot size, soil quantity etc. 1/4" +/-

 

[JudyB]

The tree can 'handle' it and they 'recover' fine but what is the point for the defoliations?? Raintrees already have an appropriate leaf size and ramify naturally. They also shut the leaves during the sunniest time of day allowing light to penetrate deeply even on a full tree. This creates deep back buds and new interior shoots. All without defoliations. So without defoliations this allows the tree to always have access to its solar panels to create growth. It sheds old leaves naturally very easily. And I realize Adam likes to defoliate BRT but actually his always looks very leggy and weak. Even prior to his defoliations the trees never seem super lush and full. Its just my opinion but I do have superb growth on BRT.

The point of defoliation is to get the old leaves off so it can put out a new set. When I would bring mine in for the winter, it would spend 3 or 4 weeks shedding a few leaves at a time, leaving a mess on the soil (not good) and in the house. With defoliation, you get a new set for the year and no mess.

 

[Clicio]

As my brt is still having a hard time, curious to hear the outcome of this. @Clicio in Brazil these are in very organic rich mixtures right?

I have been using 50% inorganic and 50% organic soil, and they like it. They grow non stop in Brazil, and in high summer they like some afternoon shade.
My organics is peat moss, pine bark and coal.

 

[LanceMac10]

....we use this....


Our climates are quite different,(you can put your location in your "profile", it's a bit of a courtesy), so I won't necessarily advocate any soil mix or pruning/horticultural care.
Particle size is largely determined by the size of your chosen container and your goals for the design going forwards.
Above all, enjoy the f' out of your BRT!!!!








…...I've plenty of opinions, though, or were you just looking for particle size comments?...

 

[Paul G]

@LanceMac10 , @Carol 83 , and @JudyB , do you guys de-thorn your BRTs?

 

[LanceMac10]

@LanceMac10 , @Carol 83 , and @JudyB , do you guys de-thorn your BRTs?

Funny you should ask!!! Cut my hours at work so I was home early today. I usually check everything in the garden in the morning and water if needed. Well, it's in the md-forties sporadically over-night at this point, so really not much need to water. Seems a cat or something had an adventure amongst the trees that went un-noticed until I got home. A small, multi-trunk Willow-leaf fig in a semi-nice Bigei pot was on the ground and a big swath off soil was scattered about from my BRT.....GRRRR!!



…...I would like to think that the fact I DON'T de-thorn might have gave the little b@$#&d "paws" before he/she tried that again!!!.....



A bit out of scale, yes...a bit of "pleasure/pain excitement, however....not really leather riding crop and handcuff type stuff, but still quite a rush....

 

[Carol 83]

@LanceMac10 , @Carol 83 , and @JudyB , do you guys de-thorn your BRTs?

I do, I'm not into pain.

 

[JudyB]

@LanceMac10 , @Carol 83 , and @JudyB , do you guys de-thorn your BRTs?

you bet

 

[KillerButts]

Do sphagnum dressings have a place in this conversation indoors? I would like to know more about brt.

 

[Carol 83]

Do sphagnum dressings have a place in this conversation indoors? I would like to know more about brt.

I don't use any. My BRT's are the only trees that don't have a conniption fit when they come indoors. I keep them in my southern exposure, with grow lights. They get a little leggy, but don't toss off their leaves in anger, like most of my other stuff.