Brazilian Raintree - Pithecellobium tortum

    

Lighting: Although they grow in the full sun in nature, Brazilian
raintrees as bonsai seem to appreciate some shade during hottest days
of tropical summers.

Watering: Evenly moist.

Feeding: A regular weekly feeding program with a balanced liquid
fertilizer during the growing season and once a month during cooler
weather will keep the raintree nourished.

Pruning and Wiring: When cutting branches and twigs leave a small nub
to allow for the possible die-back that often occurs. Many artists do
not use a concave cutter on the Brazilian raintree for this reason.
Later this can be refined. Once the initial trunk and branch shape is
established, clip-and-grow is the best way to develop a Brazilian
raintree.
Almost no wire is used here, only nylon due to the delicate green
branches. It is very difficult to 'educate' the wood once it forms. It
is better to use nylon strips on green branches." If you utilize wire,
do so loosely or use it to tie down branches.

Propagation: Most of the styles used are upright because of the nature
of the tree to grow straight when not affected by the winds in their
natural habitat. Mame and shohin are excellent possibilities,
especially when begun from air layers. I have seen somewhat large
branches airlayered as good small trees!

Repotting: The sandy growing environment in Brazil demonstrates how
well P. tortum tolerates dry conditions, however it prefers to be
evenly moist in a container. By planting it in a fast draining soil
this can be easily accomplished. When these trees are collected at
seaside they are replanted in 100% pure sand (no soil). Too much
organic in the soil mix can create wet conditions which causes root
rot, fungus and branch die-back.