PSEUDOBOMBAX
ELLIPTICUM
Shaving Brush Tree
If planted in a tropical area with good soil and given plenty of water this magnificent flowering tree can get really big, perhaps as tall as 50'-70'. If kept potted and trimmed, the tree can be kept around 3' tall. The way that the tree is going to end up looking will depend on where you live and how you grow it. If you live in frost free places you can have a really big tree, if it is not trimmed and is well fed. If you live in frost prone areas, then you have to grow the Shaving Brush in pots and the tree will be short and fat. A caudex will form (fat base) sometimes resembling a turtle shell. Pseudobombax are grown in full to partial sun. It is a deciduous tree and will loose their leaves in the winter. They should be kept a little dry at this time. In the spring, it will bloom when the tree still has no leaves (when mature or grafted). You should increase the water a little at this time of the year. After the flowers are gone, the leaves will sprout and if you need to you can trim the tree. By now it is time to start a regular (average) water schedule and fertilizing. The Pseudobombax should survive minimum temperatures in the high 20's for short periods of time, but it is best to protect it when the temperatures fall below 32°F.
Check
out Pseudobombax ellipticum 'Alba.'
FAMILY
: Bombacaceae
ORIGIN : Mexico
SIZE : 50'
but can be kept much smaller
GROWTH
RATE : fast
LIGHT
REQUIREMENTS : full
to partial sun
WATER
REQUIREMENTS : average;
less in the winter
MIN. TEMP. : low
30's
FLOWER : spring on mature or grafted trees
