If I prune below the dead flower on my bottle brush as instructed, I lose new growth. Is this right?
This will signify that it has a fungal infection. This can be common with areas that have rains with no dry out period, or general overwatering.
You will need a fungicide to treat the plant. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
The bark is almost foam feeling.
I believe you must have quite an old specimen!
The lifespan is 20 to 40 years for this tree.
The peeling bark is a normal process, though yours appears to be a bit excessive.
I do see some leaf spot virus on the leaves.
You could treat for this.
Apply sulfur sprays or copper-based fungicides weekly at first sign of disease to prevent its spread. These organic fungicides will not kill leaf spot, but prevent the spores from germinating.
I have a bottlebrush tree in a pot on my porch in full sun. It is not blooming and the bottom leaves are not growing on the branches. What should I do?
A good rich potting soil, water and fertilization are the first considerations. If you think the soil is as good as you can get, then the next issue is water.
Adequate water is of utmost importance, consider using a soil moisture meter to take the guesswork out of when to water.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
Fertilize at least spring and fall with a slow release fertilizer.
Once you get some growth happening, consider re-potting with a larger pot and good rich soil.
I have photos but can't seem to upload them. I read if they are unhealthy they are at risk of falling over and should be relocated
The bark of the bottle tree stretches as the tree grows.The older bark creates lacey patterns on the new bark underneath. Do you think this might be what's happening with your tree?
Read more at Gardening Know How: Bottle Tree Care: Growing A Kurrajong Bottle Tree
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/bottle-trees/growing-kurrajong-bottle-tree.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/peeling-bark-on-trees.htm
It has always been a lovely tree. It has never been pruned or had any special treatment, just more or less left to itself. Is there anything can be done for it.
Typically these need restorative pruning to keep them healthy for as long as possible. Over time it will lose its vigor and start to do what you are seeing now. The only thing to do now is to have a tree trimming professional come out and help you prune a tree of that size, as this can be very dangerous without the proper equipment.
This article will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/pruning-bottlebrush-plants.htm
I bought my bottle brush tree from WalMart when it was very small. It is now about 4' tall and is not filling out. It is just growing straight up. How do I get it to fill out?
Make sure it's getting enough sun because it may be reaching for more light. Also, you could try snipping off the new growth, as well as any leaves that may show up at the top of the blossoms, and see if that will cause it to branch out below. Instructions for light pruning are below:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/pruning-bottlebrush-plants.htm
in the HOT Arizona desert
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through, and it depends on what is causing the yellow leaves and where it occurs.
Make sure that your soil pH is between 5.5 to 7, first. If this is way high, or way low, then correcting will be necessary.
If the pH falls within range of normal, then you may need to supplement with nitrogen, iron, or calcium and magnesium, depending on where the yellowing occurs, exactly.
If your soil nutrient levels read fine, then you may have salt build up. This can be chelated out with citric acid.
Here are some articles that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/leaf-chlorosis-and-iron.htm