The orchidaceous plant tree is a small , blossom , multi - caulescent tropical tree with beautiful pinkish , scarlet , orange , scandalmongering , bloodless , or purplish flower resemble flowers growing on orchid plants . In addition , orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have distinctive leathery , double - lob green leaves that resemble the photographic print of a moo-cow ’s hoof . Some species of orchidaceous plant trees are evergreen Tree . Still , others are deciduous trees that sink their leaves during the ironic season or in winter .
This article is a pathfinder to identifying the most common types of beautiful orchidaceous plant trees . If you live in warm states such as south Texas , Florida , Hawaii , and southerly California , you will also learn how to grow orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in your garden landscape .
What Is Orchid Tree (Bauhinia)
Orchid tree diagram ( Bauhinia )
The orchid tree is a genus offlowering shrubs and treesin the genusBauhiniaand the familyFabaceae . orchidaceous plant trees are native to Asia and usually grow in India , China , Sri Lanka , and Vietnam . Some orchid tree metal money also grow in the wild in Texas in the Anacacho mountains , where they are known as Anacacho orchidaceous plant tree or Texas Plume .
Orchid trees are tight - growing large tropical shrubs or tree that reach a height of 20 to 40 ft . ( 6 – 12 m ) with a bedspread of 10 to 20 foot . ( 3 – 6 G ) . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are famous for their brightly colored orchid - alike bloom that blossom in winter and prevail until former summertime .
Orchid trees prosper in the warm regions of USDA in zones 9 to 11 .
After flowering , the tree develops long , bland brownseed seedcase , common of many Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the pea familyFabaceae .
In cold climates , the green leafy foliage may fell from thissemi - evergreen bush - like tree diagram . Although some varieties of orchidaceous plant trees survive a light frost , they are broadly heat - loving trees that thrive in full Dominicus and moist grunge . The minimum temperature to grow orchid trees is 22 ° F ( -6 ° C ) .
Orchid Tree Flower
Orchid tree flowers can be pink , purplish , red , yellow , orange , or lily-white , bet on the species
Flowers on orchid trees are fragrant , colorful , showy blossoms that blossom abundantly from winter through early summer . The orchidaceous plant - similar pinkish , icteric , whitened , empurpled , andred flowersgive off a delicious aroma . Most orchid tree flowers have five flower petal and long arching stamens , creating striking tropical tree diagram flush .
Orchid tree flowers feature on the sword lily of Hong Kong . The so - yell “ Hong Kong flower ” is a pinkish - purple , five - petaled flower of the Hong Kong orchid tree ( Bauhinia blakeana ) . The orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree flower in the Hong Kong Flag is five white petal in a star shape .
Hong Kong Flag featuringBauhinia blakeanaflower
Orchid Tree Leaves
Bauhinia tomentosa ( xanthous doorbell orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ) leaves and seed seedcase
Orchid tree leave of absence are calendered , leathery heart - form leavesmade up of two twinned lobes . The orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree leave are account as butterfly stroke - similar , and sometimes the two sides seem folded together on tree . The orchid tree foliage lobe generally have a rounded top and bottom .
Orchid Tree Care
To manage for an orchid tree , develop the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in full Lord’s Day or part ghost in moist , well - drained flaxen soil . Water the orchid tree diagram regularly during the summer . Fertilize the tree with compost in winter with potassium - racy plant food to encourage blooming in previous wintertime . Prune twice a year before and after inflorescence .
Types of Orchid Tree (Bauhinia) with Pictures
Let ’s look in more detail at the four common smorgasbord of orchid trees that grow in warm sub - tropical and tropical climate .
Variegated Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata)
The variegated orchid tree diagram is a shrub - like tree diagram with flamboyant five - petaled vibrantly color pink , royal , andwhite bloom . Variegated orchidaceous plant trees have an irregular crown consisting of broad bi - lobed , mettle - shaped leaves . Ornamental variegated orchidaceous plant tree grow 33 to 40 ft . ( 10 – 12 m ) tall and wide .
Variegated orchid tree diagram leaves are flesh out leaves with the characteristic deep lobes at the base and acme . This characteristic gives the orchid tree give a heart shape , like two orotund butterfly stroke wings . The leaves are 4 ” – 7 ” ( 10 – 20 cm ) long and wide . As a semi - deciduous tree , leaves drop in the dry season .
variegate orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree produce long noggin - like seed pods that are 6 ” to 12 ” ( 15 – 30 cm ) long . As the pods dry on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , they begin to deform , create an unusual shape . The pods eventually crack open with an hearable speech sound .
Other name for the variegated orchidaceous plant tree include mountain ebony , purple orchidaceous plant tree diagram , and ebony wood .
Bauhinia variegata blossom ( on the right is Bauhinia variegata Candida )
Variegated orchid tree flowers are five - petaled whitened , pinkish , andpurple orchid - alike bloom . The five open flower petal have a papery texture with wavy edge , and a single blossom can have multiple colors . Variegated orchidaceous plant tree flowers quantify 3 ” – 5 ” ( 7.5 – 13 centimetre ) across .
Showy variegated orchidaceous plant tree flower blossom in clusters along the end of stems . The orchid flowers give off a pleasant fragrance when in bloom — a characteristic trait of all orchid tree diagram peak .
Purple Orchid Tree (Bauhinia purpurea)
Purple orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Bauhinia purpurea ) heyday and farewell
The regal orchid tree is a fast - develop multi - cauline bush - like tree with mountain of spectacular purple flowers , eye - shaped leaves , and retentive brown seed pod . royal orchid trees have a vase - shaped , symmetrical summit with moderate foliation density . As a type of fast - growing tree , a purple orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree matures at 30 to 35 ft . ( 9 – 10 m ) tall and wide .
Purple orchid tree leaves are unripe matte centre - mold farewell with a deep cleft or lob at the apex of the sun’s way . In some leave , the fissure reaches almost to the foot , separate the two lobes of these tree leaf . leaf originate alternately on empurpled orchid trees , value 2 ” to 4 ” ( 2.5 – 5 centimeter ) long . They deteriorate gullible in the fall rather than commute coloration .
The bush - same tree has multiple stems . you could lop the orchid tree to make a striking specimen tree or lawn tree . However , the low - growing , droop outgrowth may think of that pruning is necessary to walk or get under the tree diagram .
Like all diversity of orchidaceous plant trees , the purplish variety has stretch brown germ seedcase . These 6 ” to 12 ” ( 15 – 30 curium ) long pods harden on the tree diagram before kill subject to disperse the tiny source .
Purple orchid tree flower are showy purple or magenta pink prime . Each flush has five splashy flower petal with frilly margin , and the end turn back like a showy orchid flower . The orchid tree flowers feature ashen veins , protruding stamens and pitch a delicious fragrance . flower are 3 ” to 5 ” ( 7.5 – 13 cm ) in diam .
An interesting feature of the regal orchidaceous plant tree is that its flowers come out before the leaves drop . Then in fall , the tree diagram ’s leafless branches are cover in ornamental , showy purple flowers .
Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana)
Hong Kong orchidaceous plant tree ( Bauhinia blakeana )
The Hong Kong orchidaceous plant tree is a flower shrub - like tree diagram with showy orchidaceous plant - like efflorescence , double - lob butterfly - like leaves , no come pods , and dark brown bark . The orchid tree has an atypical tip and matures at 12 to 20 foot . ( 3.6 – 6 m ) grandiloquent and up to 25 ft . ( 7.6 m ) blanket .
Unlike otherBauhiniatrees , the intercrossed Hong Kong orchid tree diagram does n’t produce any seed pods . This makes the cosmetic Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree desirable for garden landscape painting because there is no cleanup . With right pruning , the multi - trunked orchid tree can produce as a specimen tree , flowering tree , orfoundation planting .
Hong Kong orchid tree leaves are prominent , broadleaf evergreen plant blades with a spherical form and a mystifying rounded fissure at the apex of the sun’s way . The butterfly stroke - like bi - lobate leaf amount 3 ” to 4 ” ( 7.5 – 13 cm ) across and wide .
In some cultures , orchid tree leaves are order to bring good luck or are used as a symbolisation of wiseness .
Because the Hong Kong orchidaceous plant tree is seedless , propagation is by stem cuttings , grafting , or aviation - layering .
Bauhinia blakeana blossom
Hong Kong orchidaceous plant tree bloom are fragrant , aureate , showy heyday that are pinkor purple - lavender . Like most orchid tree , “ Hong Kong efflorescence ” have along bloom seasonand grow en masse , covering the tree . The colorful five - petaled flush measure 4 ” to 6 ” ( 10 – 15 cm ) across .
In Hong Kong , there is a statue of a florescence orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Bauhinia blakeana ) . Although the orchid tree flowers are a vibrant pink , they appear on the Hong Kong flag as bloodless on a red scope .
Anacacho Orchid Tree or White Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)
White orchid tree diagram ( Bauhinia lunarioides ) heyday
The white orchidaceous plant tree diagram is asmall multi - stem shrubthat you’re able to produce as a tree . The beautiful cosmetic orchid tree has coke - white orchid - like , five - petaled flowers growing in dense cluster that bloom during winter and spring . Thick , heart - shaped leathery leaves make moderately dense foliage , and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has silverish - grizzly bark .
Bauhinia lunarioidesis native to Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico . The white - flowering ornamental tree are known as Texas plume , Anacacho orchid tree diagram , Mexican orchid tree , or Anacacho bauhinia .
Anacacho orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grow 6 to 12 foot . ( 1.8 – 3.6 m ) tall and up to 10 ft . ( 3 m ) broad . The small shrub - similar tree has an exposed , spreading , rounded jacket crown .
lily-white orchid tree leaves have the characteristic trait of all orchid tree varieties . The small , assail Twin Falls - lobed , oval leaves measure 0.8 ” to 2 ” ( 2 – 5 cm ) long and have a thick , leathery texture .
Anacacho orchidaceous plant tree flowers are glossy , funnel - work orchidaceous plant - alike white ( or seldom pinkish ) flowers that bloom in spectacular bunch from late natural spring through summer . Like all orchid tree flowers , the Texas plume has fragrant blossoms that cover the tree when in prime .
Planting an Orchid Tree
Orchid trees are generally wanton to like for if you survive in USDA zona 9 to 11 . The orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree perform best when constitute where there is protection from secure malarkey . BecauseBauhiniais not salt - tolerant , they do n’t originate well in coastal localisation . Also , a young orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree needs staking to prevent the toffy stems from breaking .
To implant an orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in your garden , labour a hole twice the size of the root ball . control that the roots are pointing downwardly . The pedestal of the trunk should be 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) above the soil origin . Then , backfill the hole , making indisputable the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is square . Orchid trees call for staking for the first three years until they become set up .
Orchid trees are also suitable for growing in tumid container . Choose a container two size heavy than the ascendent ball , ensuring there are deal of drainage holes . apply a rich , well - draining loamy potting mix . grade the potted orchid tree on your patio or deck of cards where it mystify full or partial Sunday . water supply orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in a can whenever the top bed of ground is dry .
How to Care for Orchid Tree
Here are some ready to hand tips on how to handle for an orchid tree growing in your front or backyard .
The Right Location to Plant Orchid Tree
The best place in a garden to constitute an orchidaceous plant tree is in full Dominicus , sandy or loamy , well - drained soil . The sun - loving tree will also perform well in fond shade . However , to control healthy growth and plenty of orchid - like salad days , orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree grow best with at least six hours of sunlight day by day .
It ’s important to remark that orchidaceous plant trees do n’t tolerate harsh , freezing weather . Trees subject to regular light frosts ( 22 ° F or -6 ° C ) may normally only grow as multi - caulescent bush . In winters , the semi - evergreen trees may lose their leaf and cash in one’s chips back to the ground before returning the next spring .
How to Water Orchid Tree
orchidaceous plant trees execute best when they get occasional rich tearing throughout the growing season . During scorch weather condition , water the flowering tree every ten days to keep the radical organisation moist . In winter , you only need to water orchid trees occasionally to prevent the soil from drying out .
Orchid Tree are relatively drought - tolerant once make . In addition , some varieties of orchidaceous plant trees are aboriginal to dessert - like consideration . So , some teetotal magic spell wo n’t affect their growth too much .
Fertilizing Orchid Tree
Organic manure or compost in winter is normally enough to fertilize orchidaceous plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and provide raft of nutrients . However , some masses recommend using a ho-hum - release , granular fertilizer three times a class in spring , summertime , and fall . Typically , erstwhile trees benefit from a in high spirits - potassium plant food to promote healthy salad days .
related to reading : How to choose the proficient tree fertilizer .
Pruning Orchid Tree
Pruning an orchidaceous plant tree is necessary to arise a specimen or lawn tree diagram rather than a multi - trunk large bush . This is because an orchid tree sends up suckers that need removing to make a single - stemmed Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . In addition , orchidaceous plant tree branches lean to be weakly and brittle and call for pruning to help keep the tree ’s shape .
The dear time to prune an orchid tree diagram is in tardy bounce , after the tree wind up bloom . you’re able to remove one - third to one - fourth of the outgrowth length to keep the orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree levelheaded and encourage next season ’s flush .
Also , you should remove any offshoot growing across the tree ’s canopy . This helps to maintain the orchid tree ’s umbrella - shaped canopy . Generally , you’re able to remove dead branches at any clip of the class .
Propagating Orchid Tree
Orchid trees are easy to propagate by seed or semi - ripe stalk cutting .
you may take in orchidaceous plant tree diagram seeds when they burst open in summer . admit them to dry out before stash away them in a cool place until the undermentioned leaping . Before set the seminal fluid after the last Robert Frost , imbue them for a few days . Place the seeds in damp territory , and they should evolve within three hebdomad . transportation to a large container after four leaves have appeared .
Most orchidaceous plant tree , including the Hong Kong orchidaceous plant tree , can be propagated using semi - ripe branches taken in late summer . you’re able to place the orchid tree cuttings directly in the soil to steady down . Remember to stake the cuttings to give them support .
Pests Affecting Orchid Tree Growth
Orchid trees are typically resistant to pest infestations . The primary bugs and worm affecting orchidaceous plant trees are mealybugs , aphids , and whitefly . you’re able to usually get rid of these pests from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s leaf by using a impregnable jet of water . Or ahomemade neem oil color bug spraycould be efficient in care for septic Tree .
Mealybugs reckon likesmall pieces of cotton wool that leave behind a bloodless fuzzy meat . Aphids andwhitefliesare normally noticeable on the bottom of leaf .
You may discern a pest plague on orchid trees by yellowing foliage and weak emergence . However , established orchidaceous plant trees are generally hardy and are not dissemble by pest fire .
Related reading : How to get rid of aphids from out-of-door plants .
Like all plants growing in your garden , caterpillar can destruct foliage and strike the look and growth of bush and industrial plant , admit orchidaceous plant tree diagram . Learn how toidentify the many types of caterpillarsthat can bear on your cosmetic landscape plants .
Diseases Affecting Orchid Tree Growth
Although insubordinate to disease , foliage spot can affect orchid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree foliation under certain conditions . The unsightly splotch on the with child oval leave of absence can be yellow , brown , tan , or black . A fungus cause foliage smear , and the spore spread from infected trees and easily affect wet leafage .
If you notice signs of leaf billet , it ’s critical to remove all septic leaves and destroy them — never compost them to prevent infecting other bush and tree .
you could help avoid plant fungal infection from affecting orchidaceous plant trees by always watering the background , not the leafage .
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