Brachychiton populneus, commonly known as the kurrajong, is a small to medium-sized tree found naturally in Australia in a diversity of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi-arid interiors of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Kurrajong Care
Brachychiton populneus
What is the plant
Brachychiton populneus, commonly called Kurrajong, is a native to eastern Australia with much value in cultivation. Plants are tolerant of dry conditions, easy to propagate and have many interesting features. The species Brachychiton populneus has two subspecies that differ in adult leaf shape. Subspecies trilobus has a more northerly and inland distribution and displays leaves with 3, sometimes 5, narrow lobes. The adult leaves of subspecies populneus have reduced side lobes and appear more like those of poplars (Populus species). Flowers are bell-shaped and whitish in colour with the inner flower tube streaked purple-brown. Cultivated hybrids involving B. populneus display pink or red flowers. Juvenile plants, which display attractive lobed leaves and swollen taproots, make good pot-plants tolerant of dry and pot-bound conditions that respond well to pruning.
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
24°C - 28°C
Hardiness zone
9 - 12
Difficulty
Easy
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Water the tree deeply every 14 days during the spring and fall months and every seven days during the summer months. Soak the surrounding ground thoroughly using a garden hose. Allow the water to drain through the soil, leaving the soil thoroughly moist. Do not allow the soil to become soggy with standing water.
Fertilizer
Fertilize the bottle tree in the spring just before new growth begins with a 10-10-10 nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium, slow-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1 tablespoon per square foot of soil underneath the tree's canopy. Broadcast the fertilizer as evenly as possible in a ring around the tree. Keep the fertilizer 6 inches away from the tree's trunk. Mix the fertilizer into the top 2 inches of soil using a rake. Water the area thoroughly.
Sunlight
Plant the tree in a sunny position.
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Soil
It prefers a well-drained moderately fertile, slightly acidic soil. Succeeds in most soils, tolerating dry soils in Australian gardens. Plants dislike wet soils, especially in the winter. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 6.5 - 8.5.
Temperature
The tree grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 25 - 32°C, but can tolerate 13 - 38°C. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -5°C or lower, but young plants will be severely damaged at -1°C.
Popularity
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