Browneopsis (?) species at Jesse Durko's

[fastfeat]

Saw this at Jesse's yesterday. Not sure of the species (I think it's a Browneopsis but I could be wrong...). About five years old in the ground, from Scott Cohen.

[Gbarce]

Definitely a Browneopsis and as far as I know there is only one species--ucaylina (?).

I understand there are variations in patters and leaf sizes though.

Thats a good looking specimen

[XYZ]

Ken:

Browneopsis ucayalina. There are seven or eight valid spp. in the genus (all indigenous to the Greater Chocó), plus at least one undescribed taxon from NE Ecuador. I have about 40 4-5 year-old ucayas scattered about Guatemala, as well as 8-10 B. disepala, a couple B. macrofoliolata and several sp. nov. The species depicted is obviously the most popular in tropical horticulture...all of the seed in the US appears to have originated from a single source (Jim West), but I understand that at least one talented tropical flowering tree grower in Oz has set a small amount of seed over there.

Rather slow-growing when young and requires staking for a few years since handkerchiefs very floppy and apical dominance weak. Benefit from monthly drenches of chelated iron and biweekly drenches with acidic organic fertilizers like descented fish emulsion and kelp extract. Too cold sensitive to grow year-round at my house, but I have kept saplings there for protracted periods of time/abuse before moving them down to the Pacific coast or into clients' hands. There appears to be two distinct ecotypes of ucaya, one that holds the initial new leaf flush color (blood red and old gold) through until change to mottled green, while the other morphs to violet and lime green prior to leaves hardening. Flowers of most spp. of Browneopsis uninspiring...presumably they can be hybridized with any of the showier Brownea spp. to get best of both worlds!

J

[ariscott]

stunning hey.... I found it is faster and hardier than its counterpart, the brownea and amherstia. Worth growing for sure just for the new growth alone :). Mine hasn't flushed for a while now

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks for sharing that lovely photo! I love this species! I've been given 1 tree still in a pot and one maybe 20 foot tall one was planted in full sun when I bought my farm in Puerto Rico. I was also given 2 seeds which promptly germinated and grew quickly. I planted them both in partial shade since they are still small. I can move them if recommended and I still have the potted one to plant, so please advise as to how much sun to keep those leaves vivid the longest? Yes, I believe all of mine were originally from Jim West's seed from Ecuador. This is a must have tree for those with the right climate!

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

stunning hey.... I found it is faster and hardier than its counterpart, the brownea and amherstia. Worth growing for sure just for the new growth alone :). Mine hasn't flushed for a while now

Hi Ari,

I have just the opposite experience and have had good success with Brownea and Amherstia, while the little intransigent B. ucayalina just sits and pouts. I have not yet discovered the secret to growing a nice one.

[fastfeat]

Thanks for the info Jay. Hope all is well with you. Still doing the back and forth?

Ken:

Browneopsis ucayalina. There are seven or eight valid spp. in the genus (all indigenous to the Greater Chocó), plus at least one undescribed taxon from NE Ecuador. I have about 40 4-5 year-old ucayas scattered about Guatemala, as well as 8-10 B. disepala, a couple B. macrofoliolata and several sp. nov. The species depicted is obviously the most popular in tropical horticulture...all of the seed in the US appears to have originated from a single source (Jim West), but I understand that at least one talented tropical flowering tree grower in Oz has set a small amount of seed over there.

Rather slow-growing when young and requires staking for a few years since handkerchiefs very floppy and apical dominance weak. Benefit from monthly drenches of chelated iron and biweekly drenches with acidic organic fertilizers like descented fish emulsion and kelp extract. Too cold sensitive to grow year-round at my house, but I have kept saplings there for protracted periods of time/abuse before moving them down to the Pacific coast or into clients' hands. There appears to be two distinct ecotypes of ucaya, one that holds the initial new leaf flush color (blood red and old gold) through until change to mottled green, while the other morphs to violet and lime green prior to leaves hardening. Flowers of most spp. of Browneopsis uninspiring...presumably they can be hybridized with any of the showier Brownea spp. to get best of both worlds!

J

[ariscott]

stunning hey.... I found it is faster and hardier than its counterpart, the brownea and amherstia. Worth growing for sure just for the new growth alone :). Mine hasn't flushed for a while now

Hi Ari,

I have just the opposite experience and have had good success with Brownea and Amherstia, while the little intransigent B. ucayalina just sits and pouts. I have not yet discovered the secret to growing a nice one.

Really??? Weird.... I had one browneopsis almost died because of watering failure... and it came back. Amherstia next to it went to the seventh heaven...