Brachychiton is a plant belonging to the class of Dicotyledons, the family of the Malvaceae, the genus itself has more than 30 representatives. The name comes from the Greek “brachis” and “chiton”, which literally means “short chiton”. This is directly related to the shape of the shell for seeds, which looks very much like a short Greek robe. It grows mainly in Australia and New Guinea.
The genus of brachychiton has many representatives, starting from shrubs and ending with full-fledged strong trees. Depending on the species, plants differ in both the shape and diameter of the leaves and the flowers. Leaves can always remain green or renew leaves, be wide or oblong. The color of the inflorescences is monophonic or with small spots, the color itself varies from yellow to purple, even fiery colors are found.
The trunk remains unchanged - one leading one, in shape resembling a bottle, therefore brachychiton is often called the “bottle tree”. Its trunk contains a large amount of water and minerals that help to survive in a tropical climate. It is covered with a thin bark (sometimes green), capable of reproducing the process of photosynthesis. This helps the plant escape in dry weather.
Kinds
Varieties of brachychiton, the most popular for home breeding:
Maple Leaf (acerifolius)
The most common species in the wild and as a houseplant. Bright green leaves 8-20 cm long form a dense crown of spherical shape. Flowering occurs in early spring, then the tree is covered with red flowers resembling bells. The trunk does not have a pronounced thickening. 
Brachychiton acerifolius
Rock (rupestris)
Has a bottle-shaped barrel shape characteristic of brachychiton, the volume of which reaches a maximum near the ground and tapers to the top. In the natural environment, the height of the tree can reach 20m, and the ones used for Bonsai are very small. At the very beginning of autumn, the branches are covered with small milk-yellow flowers, which are later replaced by 3-7 mesol leaves up to 10 cm in length. 
Brachychiton rupestris
Multi-colored (discolor)
This variety has bright pink large flowers, thanks to which the plant is called the tree of happiness. The fruits are brown, hanging from the branches. The bark is embossed. Leaves 3-4 are lobed, large and wide, dark green above, and silver underneath. 
Brachychiton populneus - left, Brachychiton discolor - right
Poplar or leafy (populneus)
The species got its name due to the different shape and size of leaves on the branches. They gather in a thick sweeping crown. The flowering period falls in the summer. Another name is due to the shape of the leaves, which resemble poplars. Distinctive features are the ability to grow on lime-rich soil and unprecedented heat resistance. Therefore, often the tree is grown to protect against weather conditions.
How to grow bonsai?
Brachychitone cultivation is often recommended for beginner art lovers of Bonsai. Its branches are very flexible and can take any desired shape. In addition, the plant is very unpretentious in care. It is usually exhibited in stores as the “Australian bottle tree”; it can be grown from seed or take already full-grown seedlings. The second is sometimes found in several seedlings in one pot, if desired, they can be transplanted.
People experienced in Bonsai are advised to choose a substrate rich in healthy minerals with good air conductivity as the soil. To do this, you can choose the ratio of perlite and peat (1: 3).
Fertilizers, regular top dressing and transplanting will contribute to rapid growth. At the bottom of the pot should lay a drainage layer. The tree is not picky, so it can easily grow in overflows or drought.
Growing and caring at home
Brachychiton often becomes a decoration at home. He is unpretentious in care and does not require special gardening skills. But despite this, home care contains some rules:
- The most optimal temperature is + 24 ... +28 degrees. In winter, it can withstand up to +10;
- Sun exposure is possible only with a continuous stream of fresh air, behind a closed window, the plant risks getting severe burns;
- In winter, the pot is transferred to a cool place so that the leaves do not stretch out much;
- If the soil is poorly drained, the roots will rot;
- The dry season may be accompanied by leaf fall.
| Season | Location | Lighting | Temperature | Humidity | Watering |
| Winter autumn | Cool place | Long and bright | Not lower than +10 | Good drainage | Very little |
| Spring Summer | Shade or stream of fresh air | +24… 28 | Plentifully |
Pot, soil
It is better to plant brachychiton in a ceramic pot. It is heavy enough to support the weight of a reduced copy of the Australian giant. The plastic container will tumble with the tree.
The composition of the soil should supply the plant with all the nutrients necessary for its growth. Experienced growers recommend using ready-made soil for succulents. A substitute may be a mixture of peat, sand and leafy soil. It should have good breathability and drain well, otherwise the roots will quickly begin to rot.
Top dressing
Top dressing is usually carried out in the warm season: from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. Mineral fertilizers supply the soil once every 2-3 weeks. This will help the tree survive the dry season.
Watering the plant most abundantly should be in the heat, the next watering is repeated when its upper land has dried. In the cool season, brachychitone can do without moisture for up to 2 weeks, using the stock of the trunk.
Transplant, pruning
Transplantation is usually performed as needed approximately 1 time in 2-3 years. The plant is carefully removed from the pot, the roots are not cleared of soil, after which you can plant it in another container. The tree calmly transfers this procedure, but it does not need to be abused.
Timely pruning of leaves and branches contributes to the formation of a thick and lush crown. Bonsai lovers in this way can control its shape, while stimulating the active growth of the plant.
Breeding
Propagation of brachychiton is carried out vegetatively or by seed. Planting a seed or cuttings cut from the top takes place in a special peat or sand mixture. The shelter itself should be well moistened and have a temperature of + 24-27 degrees. Compliance with these conditions will contribute to the rapid development of the root system of the seedling. Such a shelter can be organized using a plastic bag.
Diseases, pests
The most dangerous pests for brachychitone are the spider mite, scutellum and whitefly. If the plant has already undergone their attack, copious irrigation with water +45 degrees can help to cope with them. But you need to be careful not to harm the tree itself. Helps and spraying with pest control, which can be purchased at a gardening store.
With insufficient or too intense lighting, a bottle tree can infect the disease, and excessive watering will cause decay. To avoid this, the conditions of detention must be observed.
Home use, benefits and harms
Since arid Australia is the birthplace of brachychiton, locals have found a way to get the most out of it. Due to the fact that the plant accumulates a large amount of water in its trunk, it saves people from thirst. It is not difficult to get water from it, without even harming it, because the bark is quite thin. Sunflower seeds are a delicacy, but they are so easy to get. In addition to a strong seed box, they are protected by an abundant cover of hairs, which causes irritation. It is recommended to clean only with gloves. Young rhizomes are also used as food. Perennial foliage makes it possible to feed livestock all year round, and the tree bark serves as the basis for creating fiber.
For a long time there was an opinion that the bottle tree is poisonous, however, the studies completely refuted this theory.
Brachychiton is an amazing plant. His cultivation gave people the opportunity to contemplate the beauty of nature even within their own homes. It can be a wonderful decoration of the interior and even according to popular beliefs bring good luck in return for kindness and proper care.
