Shaving-brush-tree

Shaving-brush-tree Care

Pseudobombax Ellipticum

What is the plant

Pseudobombax ellipticum, best known as Bombax ellipticum, is a fabulously attractive fast-growing deciduous tree with a smooth green caudiciform trunk that can reach 18(-20) m in height. Coveted for it's unique brush-like flowers in late winter, the leaves are an attraction as well. This is a fine shade tree as well as a show stopper bloomer suitable for bonsai treatment as well.Trunk: Smooth, green marbled with gray, semi-succulent up to 1.3 m in diameter often bulging and specialized for water storage. Its branches are close to the base and the new twigs are bright green.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

min 10a

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
It like plenty of water. Never let it dry out completely or you'll have a dead plant. Then again, don't over water either or you'll have a rotten one. It is a deciduous tree and will loose its leaves in the winter. It should be kept a little dry at this time. In the spring, summer and early autumn you should increase the water.
Pruning
After the flowers are gone, the leaves will sprout and if it is needed you can trim the tree. This plant like to grow as a tree and don't need any pruning, but you may cut every year the branches so the trunk base (caudex) would get larger.
Sunlight
Light shade to full sun.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
succulents soil
Temperature
It is a tender tropical specie that should survive minimum temperatures down to -7° C for short periods of time (especially if dry) but it is best to protect it when the temperatures fall bellow 0° C. If you live in frost prone areas than you have to grow it in pots. Its very sensitive to hot summer sun while kept as a potted plant.
Popularity
63 people already have this plant 3 people have added this plant to their wishlists