Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
- Jkwinston
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Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
FAMILY: STERCULIACEAE
Brachychiton are a collection of trees and large shrubs which are generally found in Australia and surrounding countries. Their leaves show variation from about 4 to 20 cm. Some of the genus can be as small as 4 metres, or as tall as 30. All are monoecious, producing separate male and female flowers on each tree. Some, like the discolor, the populneus, and the rupestris, are famous for the their bottle shaped form. Although suited to warmer climes, they have become a regular sight around Mediterranean areas, especially because of their attractive flowers, and their hardy temperament. They may lose some of their leaves during the winter, but by spring all would be well. They grow from seeds very easily, and it is up to you to decide how large they are allowed to grow.
Brachychiton are a collection of trees and large shrubs which are generally found in Australia and surrounding countries. Their leaves show variation from about 4 to 20 cm. Some of the genus can be as small as 4 metres, or as tall as 30. All are monoecious, producing separate male and female flowers on each tree. Some, like the discolor, the populneus, and the rupestris, are famous for the their bottle shaped form. Although suited to warmer climes, they have become a regular sight around Mediterranean areas, especially because of their attractive flowers, and their hardy temperament. They may lose some of their leaves during the winter, but by spring all would be well. They grow from seeds very easily, and it is up to you to decide how large they are allowed to grow.
- Geoff
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
Few more shots of Brachychitons.
- Jkwinston
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
Thanks Geoff for the post, and the fabulous collection of photos. I do concede what you infer, that not all the members of this genus practically demonstrate the caudiciform ideal. Maybe, it was not the best idea starting with B discolor as an example, even though it is quite easily of my firm favourites within the group. Hope you can spare some of your time to do some more posting, as we need a lot more photos example for the group. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Jkw
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
It can be done in the bay area. These barely get any water at all.
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Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
At Bach's Cactus Nursery in Tucson, they have these two (plus populneus, but that grows in parking lots all over town)
B. australis (I think)
B. australis (I think)
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
B. rupestris
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- mickthecactus
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- Paul S
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
I have acerifolius, rupestris and populneus planted outisde. The best I can say of acerifolius is that it is alive but not happy, having been cut back to the small trunk even by 3 mild winters. B. rupestris has had the same 3 mild winters and remains evergreen and growing. B. populneus has had just one very mild winter but remains evergreen - my reading suggests this is the species most likely to survive a deeper freeze here.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
Thanks Paul - B. acerifolius is one I expected to see at Bach's if it was viable here. B. populneus seems to be the most bulletproof, though even they don't love our few days a year nearing 50C. The woodpeckers love them for some reason - never seen them in town without an abundance of holes.
- mickthecactus
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
Anybody grown them from seed? I have acerifolius seed on the way any advice would be appreciated.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
A friend at work grew several from seed. They are really nice trees maybe 7 feet tall now. I’ll ask if he has any tips.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
The ones in Hayward have been cut down. I knew that was going to happen. Seed pods and concrete and people dont mix. Plus it seemed like they got no summer water. Some kind of generic trees replaced them.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- mickthecactus
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
Did they survive Paul?Paul S wrote: ↑Thu Mar 10, 2022 5:37 am I have acerifolius, rupestris and populneus planted outisde. The best I can say of acerifolius is that it is alive but not happy, having been cut back to the small trunk even by 3 mild winters. B. rupestris has had the same 3 mild winters and remains evergreen and growing. B. populneus has had just one very mild winter but remains evergreen - my reading suggests this is the species most likely to survive a deeper freeze here.
Just sown acerifolius this morning.
- Paul S
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton
last time I looked, Mike, the acerifolius looked dead, the ruepstris badly damaged and the populneus not quite so badly damaged. Fairly sure the rupestris and populneus will come back.
Interestingly I've been in touch with Caspel Manor colledge who have, I discovered, a large rupestris planted out. The guy said it isn't looking great but, of course, we'll see come spring what happens.
Interestingly I've been in touch with Caspel Manor colledge who have, I discovered, a large rupestris planted out. The guy said it isn't looking great but, of course, we'll see come spring what happens.