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- Q.Dwarf Bottle Brush - Followed instructions and the plant in big pot in full sun. Watered thoroughly before going on 4 day vacation. Upon ...
- Q.Bottle Brush Tree - We planted a bottle brush tree for almost two years. It has grown well, and has always flowered. What concerns ...
- Q.Watering Of Bottle Brush Tree Already Established - I have an established bottle brush tree. Just got new sprinkler system in the yard. Leaves are turning yellow. ...
- Q.How To Grow Bottle Brush - Can I get a seed from a blooming shrub?
- Q.Bottle Brushes Only Have Leaves On Top - My bottle brush plants are bare on the bottom but about 3/4 up have leaves. What would cause this? Could ...
- Q.I Have A Bottle Brush Bush, No Brush On Ends - The bush is at least 4 years old, beautiful green, very little or none of the flowers that are supposed ...
- Q.Plants Look Sick - I have a bottle brush tree and two little john shrubs, zone 9, Las Vegas. They have been pruned earlier ...
Asked by
eb0ne on
August 22, 2016
Los AngelesQ.Dwarf Bottle Brush
Followed instructions and the plant in big pot in full sun. Watered thoroughly before going on 4 day vacation. Upon return, plant leaves are dry. Live in Los Angeles, weather hot 80-90 degrees. Help!
Answered by
Alisma on
August 23, 2016
Certified ExpertA.Yes, plants in containers outdoors can dry out quickly in the heat. Try watering it again, but moderately in case it has trouble absorbing water. Don't soak it until it shows that it's healthy again. You can also move it to the shade while it recovers. Hopefully your plant will revive.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/under-watering.htm
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- Asked by
RKGilbert on
August 27, 2016
Lincoln, CAQ.Bottle Brush Tree
We planted a bottle brush tree for almost two years. It has grown well, and has always flowered. What concerns us is the stalk does not appear to have gained any girth. I'm sure if I removed the stakes that it would snap in two. Is this common? Does it take time for these stalks to gain girth? Thanks, Rich Gilbert
- Answered by
Alisma on
August 28, 2016
Certified ExpertA.This is referred to as "legginess" in trees, and it is commonly a result of low light exposure or nutrient imbalances. See this article for more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/established-plants-leggy.htm
Pruning, along with fixing any issues with light and nutrition, will help your tree become sturdier. You may want to encourage it to grow multiple trunks instead of just one. See these articles on pruning and care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush
/pruning-bottlebrush-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
parkersinarvada on
September 7, 2016
Apache Junction, Az 85120Q.Watering of bottle brush tree already established
I have an established bottle brush tree. Just got new sprinkler system in the yard. Leaves are turning yellow. Is this too much water?
- Answered by
Alisma on
September 7, 2016
Certified ExpertA.Yes, yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering. Often the leaves will begin dropping soon after they turn yellow. For now, stop watering to let the plant recover. Then begin again with less frequent and/or smaller volumes of water at each watering.
Here is some information on overwatering. Underwatering can cause some of the same problems, such as wilting, but you will eventually be able to tell the difference.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Plantcrazy on
September 23, 2016
Alexandria,LA 71301Q.How to grow bottle brush
Can I get a seed from a blooming shrub?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
September 23, 2016A.Yes, this article will help you with propagation methods for a Bottle Brush.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/propagating-bottlebrush-plants.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 10, 2016Q.bottle brushes only have leaves on top
My bottle brush plants are bare on the bottom but about 3/4 up have leaves. What would cause this? Could it not be getting enough sun?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
October 10, 2016A.It is possible that you actually have a variety of Bottlebrush that is a tree instead of a shrub genus.
Many people prune the Bottlebrush to be a tree form and have a single trunk.
You may be doing nothing wrong and the plant just growing to it's natural state.
Here is a link to refresh you on the care requirements.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
mheilman1 on
October 24, 2016
Phoenix, Arizona 85032Q.I have a bottle brush bush, no brush on ends
The bush is at least 4 years old, beautiful green, very little or none of the flowers that are supposed to come blooming. Any advice? It has been fertilized its second and third year.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
October 24, 2016A.A Brush Tree needs a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunshine.
Only prune after it has bloomed heavily, if it has a few flowers; avoid pruning these off the tree.
I would also have a soil test done. If you have too much Nitrogen, this will inhibit flowering.
Over fertilizing is also a reason for excessive Nitrogen in the soil.
You can give the tree an application of Phosphorous to promote flowering; Bone Meal is a good way to add Phosphorous to the soil.
Here are some links with more information.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/bone-meal-fertilizer.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
verdin on
December 31, 2016
89134Q.Plants look sick
I have a bottle brush tree and two little john shrubs, zone 9, Las Vegas. They have been pruned earlier this year and I've worked with the soil in terms of compost, fertilizer, water, etc. They have bloomed a little bit, but not significantly. Now, they are yellow/green/red in color and still some of the branches are bare. Are they dying, or is there something else I can do to make them look better? Many thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
- Answered by
Alisma on
January 1, 2017
Certified ExpertA.A pH problem could be responsible. The bare branches could suggest a disease like Verticillium wilt, especially if the branches are dying. Unlike in other plants, Verticillium wilt is usually mild in bottlebrushes, weakening the plant but not killing it. Please see the following articles:
http://extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/detailproblem.cfm?PathogenID=26
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/verticillium-wilt/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/pubs/oh34.htmWas this answer useful?00
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