Which Brazilian Raintree Would You Go For?

[Isilwen]

Trying to decide between these two Brazilian raintrees. I have gotten a new job and it will be in an office with my own desk. I am finally leaving the medical field and am going to be learning something new. Was looking for something that I can put on my desk that isn't a succulent or pothos. From my research, it looks as though the Brazilian raintree is good for such a situation.

Which would you choose?

1st candidate:



Second candidate:

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I would chose the second, HOWEVER...

I am not aware of a single Brazilian rain tree that will be happy indoors.

 

[Isilwen]

I would chose the second, HOWEVER...

I am not aware of a single Brazilian rain tree that will be happy indoors.

Really? Even in these forums, it was a recommendation as an indoor tree as my research included these forums.

 

[Jbyrd8228]

I think it would be ok to winter over indoors but I have 2 of them that are outside until it starts getting cold.

 

[Paradox]

I've kept a couple inside for 18 months when I didn't have the bench space outside during the summer. But I had them under some pretty bright lights that are full daylight spectrum.

The following summer they went outside

 

[Isilwen]

I've kept a couple inside for 18 months when I didn't have the bench space outside during the summer. But I had them under some pretty bright lights that are full daylight spectrum.

The following summer they went outside

It will be in the office for a little while and at home for a little while on the balcony. Will that work?

What would be a good bonsai be that would be okay in an office and bringing it home for a little while?

 

[Paradox]

It will be in the office for a little while and at home for a little while on the balcony. Will that work?

What would be a good bonsai be that would be okay in an office and bringing it home for a little while?

Imo anything is going to need supplemental lighting when indoors. Office lighting isn't strong enough for trees.

Along with the BRT, I had willow lead ficus and a tiger bark ficus under the same setup

 

[Isilwen]

Imo anything is going to need supplemental lighting when indoors. Office lighting isn't strong enough for trees.

Along with the BRT, I had willow lead ficus and a tiger bark ficus under the same setup

I was thinking something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Indoor-Bamboo-Garden-Adjustable-Automatic/dp/B09P19CW37/ref=sr_1_60?crid=2A6VSJXNL5TL4&keywords=grow%2Blights%2Bkit%2Bbonsai&qid=1694734573&sprefix=grow%2Blights%2Bkit%2Bbonsai%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-60&th=1

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Really? Even in these forums, it was a recommendation as an indoor tree as my research included these forums.

Don't get me wrong... I keep full tropicals indoors here in NC, where my temps regularly get down below freezing at night.

I have Brazilian rain trees, Brazilian ironwoods, Texas ironwoods, ficus, etc. The best I can say is that I can "maintain" them indoors during the winter, but I leave them outdoors the moment the threat of frost is past. If you move a Brazilian rain trees indoors for the winter, it will drop about 50% of its leaves and go dormant for the winter. It isn't deciduous, but tropical trees have seasons of growth and dormancy... and when conditions are not optimal they tend to take it as a signal to go dormant.

 

[Paradox]

I was thinking something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Indoor-Bamboo-Garden-Adjustable-Automatic/dp/B09P19CW37/ref=sr_1_60?crid=2A6VSJXNL5TL4&keywords=grow%2Blights%2Bkit%2Bbonsai&qid=1694734573&sprefix=grow%2Blights%2Bkit%2Bbonsai%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-60&th=1

Cant say if that would give enough light

IMO I think this one would be better

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085CDPSMR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B085CDPSMR&pd_rd_w=7s8UC&content-id=amzn1.sym.f734d1a2-0bf9-4a26-ad34-2e1b969a5a75&pf_rd_p=f734d1a2-0bf9-4a26-ad34-2e1b969a5a75&pf_rd_r=VMRCMP9GGZEC5GA8D63A&pd_rd_wg=B8KiJ&pd_rd_r=ca6dd7d5-10e4-449a-81e8-44bdd63d18f7&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1

For example, I keep mine under 3 to 6 32 watt 5200K full spectrum fluorescent bulbs. Its not just the K value that is important but the total wattage is as if not more important

 

[Isilwen]

Cant say if that would give enough light

IMO I think this one would be better

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085CDPSMR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?pd_rd_i=B085CDPSMR&pd_rd_w=7s8UC&content-id=amzn1.sym.f734d1a2-0bf9-4a26-ad34-2e1b969a5a75&pf_rd_p=f734d1a2-0bf9-4a26-ad34-2e1b969a5a75&pf_rd_r=VMRCMP9GGZEC5GA8D63A&pd_rd_wg=B8KiJ&pd_rd_r=ca6dd7d5-10e4-449a-81e8-44bdd63d18f7&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1

For example, I keep mine under 3 to 6 32 watt 5200K full spectrum fluorescent bulbs. Its not just the K value that is important but the total wattage is as if not more important

I have that for a mini jade that I got. Problem is, it's too big for the office. It needs to be more like what I linked.

 

[Carol 83]

You live in Florida, great place to grow BRT's, just probably not in your office. I have to bring mine in for the winter and they do fine under full spectrum LED's but they go outside as soon as night temps are 50 in the spring.

 

[Paradox]

I have that for a mini jade that I got. Problem is, it's too big for the office. It needs to be more like what I linked.

Well all I can tell you is try it but don't get upset if the tree doesn't do well under that light.
If not, you might want to just consider a nice low light tolerant house plant for your desk that wont be as demanding as a tree.

 

[eugenev2]

If your temperatures are anything like mine (not below 50F), you might not even have to overwinter them inside. Unfortunately i think the below is the only bonsai that should be kept inside

 

[penumbra]

Do yourself a favor and get a ficus instead.

 

[Isilwen]

Do yourself a favor and get a ficus instead.

Do you think this "Too Little Ficus" would do better?

 

[Srt8madness]

I was thinking something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Indoor-Bamboo-Garden-Adjustable-Automatic/dp/B09P19CW37/ref=sr_1_60?crid=2A6VSJXNL5TL4&keywords=grow%2Blights%2Bkit%2Bbonsai&qid=1694734573&sprefix=grow%2Blights%2Bkit%2Bbonsai%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-60&th=1

The halo version of that (one step up/over) should work. It's 400-600ppfd.

 

[penumbra]

Do you think this "Too Little Ficus" would do better?

View attachment 508731

Yes

 

[rockm]

Do you think this "Too Little Ficus" would do better?

View attachment 508731

Completely agree with @penumbra. Ficus would work best in the location and conditions you've described. I've got friends with spectacular BRT, but they are kept in a greenhouse.

 

[Isilwen]

So I haven't gotten something for the office yet, but I have picked this up for the apartment.



Any chance this might work?