The Brachichito, also popularly known as the bottle tree, is a beautiful, very leafy species that is used to decorate walkways, parks, gardens, and pedestrian walkways. It has a variety of colors which makes it very special. In this article we will show you its care, characteristics and use. Go ahead and keep reading to learn much more.
the brachichito
The Brachichito, is a tree that can reach a height of 10 meters which is very leafy. Its origin is Australian, of which at least 31 species are known that belong to the subfamily of the sterculiaceae.
Features
The Brachichito is a fast growing tree. Its trunk grows straight in the shape of a cone, it can reach up to 12 meters in height in the best of cases. Its bark is smooth, with certain elongated channels that turn paler in color. As for its main root, it is very bulky, since it accumulates a large amount of water in it to be able to survive periods of drought.
The crown of the tree has a pyramidal shape when it is young, which later becomes elliptical as it ages, but in both cases it is very leafy. As for the leaves, they are bright green on the upper side and the underside becomes paler and duller. They sprout alternately, they have a petiole that can measure up to 3 cm.
Depending on the species, the leaves can be entire, meaning without a toothed edge or margin. Their shape can be oval, rhomboid, with 3 or 5 lobes, or palmate , but always with a long point. The flowers bloom during spring or summer, emerging from the leaf axils in a cluster. They have a single petal with five wavy lines. Their color is a greenish-white, with purple spots on the inside and a subtle cream color on the outside. They can also be red or pink. These flowers are unisexual.
As for the fruit that this tree generates, it is among the dry category, which is presented in several clusters that hang from a long peduncle, it is of the secretory type. It is woody and turns black when ripe, inside it contains from 4 to 18 yellow seeds covered with hairs that can be highly irritating if they come into contact with the skin or eyes.
Brachichito care
Like any tree, certain care must be taken so that it can achieve optimal development, here we present a basic guide so that your Brachichito can grow and give away all its splendor, follow these tips and you will see the best results.
The Brachichito requires a good exposure to the sun, so in Mediterranean climates it develops with great comfort. Its resistance makes it capable of adapting to cold climates, but not constant, and also to small droughts, this makes it a highly resistant species. For its plantation, this specimen can be said to be well suited to clayey or sandy soils, which allow good drainage, with acidic, neutral or alkaline pH and relative humidity or dry conditions are ideal.
Now, in terms of irrigation, the Brachichito needs plenty of water, without reaching flooding. It can certainly tolerate short periods of drought, but when subjected to them, it tends to age rapidly and can even cause death. During the spring time, it is advisable to water it frequently for its flowering to be the best. Another important point is the fertilization, which is recommended to be done at least once a year with organic manure. Finally and very importantly, this species does not tolerate pruning.
Plagues and diseases
The Brachichito tree can be affected by different diseases and pests that can overshadow its beauty. The most common pests are aphids, which are insects that suck the sap of the plant, producing a sticky substance called molasses, which in turn attracts ants that often damage the roots of the tree. They can be combated in a natural way using water and wine vinegar and spraying them when the sun is already setting. If you want to treat chemically, you can apply Cyperkill Casa y Jardín. As for diseases, they can be affected by different types of fungi.
Uses
Its primary use is ornamental, they can be grown in parks, avenues, large gardens and to demarcate paths. There are populations that use its fruits to consume them. In medicine, healing properties are not attributed to it. Its wood is malleable so it can be used to make furniture and objects of medium quality. The shell that covers the seeds can be used to make ornaments.
We recommend this video so you can learn step by step how to germinate Brachichito seeds
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