The flower of the trunk of Brazil is very beautiful, so it is worth taking care of the plant as best we know how, since it is possible that someday it will be encouraged to produce it. But have you ever been able to see it? The truth is that when grown indoors and in a region where the climate is temperate, it can take a long time for it to flower.
That's why we're going to tell you what are the characteristics of the flower of the trunk of Brazil, and we will also give you a few tricks to get your plant to produce it.
What are the characteristics of the Brazilian trunk flower?
Image - Wikimedia / Assianir
The trunk of Brazil, also called water stick or brazilwood, is an evergreen shrub that grows naturally in tropical Africa. Its trunk is thin and tall, up to 6 meters, and its leaves are green, up to 1 meter long.. The plant itself is very decorative, and can be used both for interior decoration and for patios and terraces if the weather is warm. But the truth is when it blooms, it is even more beautiful.
The flowers are grouped in hanging inflorescences, and are very, very fragrant.. This is so because it needs to attract the attention of pollinators, such as insects or some birds, such as the hummingbird. They sprout during the spring, or after the dry season if we are near the equator. When it is in a pot, it is important that it be planted in a larger one so that it can continue to grow, and incidentally, so that it will one day bloom.
How many times does the water stick bloom?
It is a plant that it only blooms between two and four times throughout its life. But when it does, the flowers stay in it for seven or eight days, more than enough to take a few pictures of them, although you may be left wanting more as they are really beautiful.
Tricks for the trunk of Brazil to flourish
Now that we have seen what the Brazilwood flower is like, it is time to find out what we can do so that, one day, it will produce it. And the first thing is, without a doubt, have patience. Much patience. As we have said, it is a plant that flowers very few times throughout its life, so it may be best to settle for seeing it healthy, which is already a lot, at least until the time comes for it to produce its flowers.
But of course, if it is healthy, it will be easier for it to flourish. So, it is important to know what to do so that it is always beautiful, in good health. So let's get to it:
It must not lack neither light nor humidity
The Brazilian trunk is a shrub that, if we were lucky enough to be able to go to Africa, which is where it originates from, we would always find it growing in places directly exposed to the sun. For this reason, when grown indoors, do your best to "mimic" the conditions it would experience in its natural habitat. And that goes through place it in a room that gets a lot of light.
For example, I have mine in one where there are two large windows, without curtains, thanks to which there is a lot of light throughout the day. But be careful: it is not right in front of the windows, because if that were the case, the leaves would burn as the magnifying glass effect would occur, but rather they are a few meters from them, in a corner of the room.
Furthermore, this plant needs a high relative humidity, above 50%. This is not a problem in the Balearic Islands: there is so much humidity that the walls need a coat of paint every few years, and even one of my indoor plants, the Alocasia wentii, every morning if you touch the tip of the leaves, you end up with a drop of water on your finger. Therefore, if you also live in an area where the relative humidity is very high, something that happens on any island and also if you are near the coast or a river, you do not have to do anything about it.
It would be quite another thing if you lived more inland. When the humidity is very low, tropical plants like the water stick have a hard time: Its leaves first turn yellow, then brown, and finally dry up completely. To avoid this, you have to sprinkle it with rainwater or water suitable for consumption every day, especially during the summer when it is hotter.
Note: if you want to know the humidity in the house at all times, do not hesitate to buy a home weather station. Today there are for 20 euros and less. I have one, and the truth is that I couldn't be happier, because I have the information I want (temperature, humidity) within reach. For example, you have this at a very good price:
Beware of drafts
It is healthy to open the windows of the house to ventilate it, and even more so if the humidity inside is very high, since with this simple gesture it is possible to extend the 'useful life' of the wall paint. But if these currents are very strong and our brazilwood is very exposed to them, the leaves will dehydrate and dry up. The same will happen if you are near the fan or air conditioner.
Although the currents generated by electrical devices are much less intense, they are more constant, something that reduces the humidity around the plant to a minimum. Therefore, although the roots do their best to push water into the leaves, this water is rapidly lost as the air dries it out.
All in all, the most advisable thing to do is, yes, open the windows, but if the wind is blowing strongly and/or if you are one of those who needs to have an electrical device, such as fans or air conditioning, on throughout the day, it is preferable that you put your plant in another room.
Don't forget to plant it in a bigger pot
Transplanting is one of those things that is often forgotten, but it is one of the most important tasks, almost as important as watering. Why? Because a plant that remains in the same pot for years and years comes a time when it stops growing. And growth is life, because thanks to it they become stronger, mature and can better adapt to the place where they live.
That's why your brazilwood You will need a bigger pot every time the roots come out of the holes in the pot, and also if when you try to get it out, the earthen bread does not fall apart. When the time comes, you have to plant it in one that measures about 10 centimeters more in width and height with a substrate for plants like the one from the brand Flower o Westland.
Let the soil dry out a bit before watering again.
The Brazilian trunk is not an aquatic plant. Although one of its common names is "water stick", it cannot actually live with its roots waterlogged. So, it is not a good idea to plant it in a pot without holes, or to have it in a glass of water. If we want it to be healthy and to bloom one day, we have to keep it in a pot WITH holes in its base, a quality substrate like the one we mentioned above, and most importantly: water when it needs it.
How often will that be? It will depend a lot on the conditions in the room, but during the summer it may need two or three waterings spaced throughout the week, while the rest of the year we will have to water less because the earth takes longer to dry completely. Also, if we have put a plate under it, we will drain it after each watering.
Pay it in spring and summer
Do you want it to bloom? So it is highly advisable to pay it from spring until the end of summer. Do it with a universal liquid fertilizer as this, so you will get it to look healthy, grow in conditions and be strong. But be careful: follow the instructions for use that you will find on the packaging.
If you have been following us for a long time, you will know that I repeat myself a lot with this, but it is for a good reason: adding more fertilizer than indicated will not help it grow faster, but rather so that its roots burn and die . However, if the right dose is added, the trunk of Brazil will look beautiful, you will see.
We hope that your trunk from Brazil will produce its flowers.