\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Its crucial to prune them in the first few years to ensure strong structure as they grow. Trees Tropicals and Tender Perennials Water Requirements: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Sun Exposure: Full Sun Sun to Partial Shade Light Shade Foliage: Deciduous Smooth Velvet/Fuzzy Foliage Color: Medium Green Height: 30-40 ft. (9-12 m) Spacing: 30-40 ft. (9-12 m) Hardiness: USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 C (25 F) The Hong Kong orchid tree tolerates a range of light conditions. Cut a 6-inch branch from the tree. The vast majority of epiphytic orchids live in climates that are generally mild year-round, making them perfect candidates for indoor living. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. They range in size from 5 to 6 inches. To care for an orchid tree, grow the tree in full sun or part shade in moist, well-drained sandy soil. Cam Morgan is a queer forest dweller writing about animals, plants, and ecological-centered living from the hollers of Southeast Appalachia where she lives off-grid in her self-built cabin. I've noticed all over central phoenix . Exceptionally long-blooming, the sterile flowers produce no seedpods, unlike Purple Orchid Tree (B. purpurea). Arizona 85142 United States. If your little tree stops growing or shows any sign of distress, consider those as indicators that it's ready for a new home. If you want a spectacular flowering season, cool them off during winter and house them somewhere with temps closer to 55F. An easy to care for, moderate to fast-growing shrub or tree, this plant is widely grown as a border shrub, ornamental patio tree, and landscape or shade tree. When moss and bark are moist, you'll see the condensation on the inside of the pot. Instead of watering your plants on a strict schedule (every other day, or once a week, for example), pay attention to your orchid's needs and how much water it uses. These trees also grow quite fast, adding about a foot or more to their height every year. Fishermen Discover a, year-round temperature dip at night of about 10-15 degrees, consistent watering during its growing phase, See Dominator The Largest Crocodile In The World, And As Big As A Rhino, Watch a Lioness Save Her Zookeeper When the Male Lion Attacks Him Point-Blank, Rare Footage Shows How Killer Whale Packs Devastate Great White Sharks, Watch a Gargantuan Komodo Dragon Effortlessly Swallow a Wild Boar in One Gulp, The Largest Great White Sharks Ever Found Off Florida Waters, Watch This Huge Komodo Dragon Flex Its Power and Swallow a Shark Whole, Real Life Jaws Spotted 30ft Great White Shark By Boat. The foliage remains healthy - at least in my estimation. . Appropriate watering care Growing steps of Hong Kong Orchid Tree 1. If your orchids dont get good air circulation, they may have too much moisture and could develop fungal or bacterial problems. Watering method The concept of watering orchids with ice cubes may seem counterintuitive because plants from tropical regions generally don't do well with freezing temperatures. Make the cut with loppers, if the branch's diameter is greater than 1/2 to 3/4 inch. If you want to grow these fresh flowers, orchids are really easy to keep as houseplants under the right conditions. Also, make sure the potting mix is a little damp before fertilizing because it can burn the roots if they're completely dry. Monrovia 3.58-Gallon Red Flowering Hong Kong Orchid Tree. the Hong Kong is sterile so it does not produce the messy beans that Hong Kong Orchid Trees for Sale - FastGrowingTrees.com Fill your landscape with the color of our stunning Hong Kong Orchid Trees! Step 3:Carefully dislodge the plant from the container so as not to damage the root ball. The main pest problems are caterpillars who munch on the leaves, mites who might cause the flowers to wilt, and borers who feed on the soft wood of the trunk and branches. unless the ground freezes, which never happens in the Arizona desert. These. One of the most beautiful Florida flowering trees, this is an ideal mid-size tree for snowbirds because of its winter color. The Hong Kong orchid tree benefits from a fertilizer application three times a year, in spring summer and autumn. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing . They are also somewhat susceptible to leaf spot and leaf scorch. To encourage them to grow tall like trees, you must prune them regularly and use stakes. All plants require care at planting and the Hong Kong Orchid is no exception. Keep reading, and well cover all of the basic plant care for your orchids so they continue to grow and bloom for years to come! Make sure they dry before handling. So far, the Hong Kong Orchid Tree has been planted in Sri Lanka, Indo-China Peninsula and India. We recommend choosing a full-to-part sun location, and make sure you have well-drained soil. Yes, You Can Water Orchids with Ice CubesHere's How to Do It Right, Orchid Watering Tips for Beautiful Blooms and Healthy Growth, How to Repot Your Orchid to Keep It Healthy and Happy, 8 Essential Tips for Growing Mint Indoors, How to Grow an Elephant Ear Plant Indoors, How to Grow Potted Plants Indoors or Outside in Your Garden, Mix Houseplants and Spring Bulbs in an Easy-to-Make Dish Garden, 7 Tough-to-Grow Houseplants that Are Worth the Effort, The 5 Best Soils for Succulents of 2023 for Thriving Plants, How to Grow and Care for a Finicky Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree, Watering Orchids with Ice Cubes Is Really a ThingHere's How to Do It, How to Propagate Your Corn Plant to Expand Your Houseplant Collection, How to Grow and Care for a Banana Plant Indoors. It finishes blooming in March, which is when the Snowbirds start going back up North. It is very drought tolerant, and overwatering may cause it to bloom less vigorously. To air-layer a Hong Kong orchid tree, locate a branch about 2 inches wide; it should be part way up the trunk and easy to reach. Fill in the berm with water and add a 2-inch layer of mulch when the water is absorbed. East-facing windowsills are great spots for orchids. And in return for your careful efforts, they will reward you with their elegant-looking flowers for years to come. Keep the lights 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) above your orchids and leave them on for 12-16 hours each day. Fertilize orchids weekly in the spring and summer. Of course, the amount of water your orchids need can vary based on room temperature, light, humidity, and the type of growing media (moss holds onto moisture longer than bark chips). Planting it in a protected location near a building or similar structure can help prevent weather and wind damage. Instead, they tend to benefit from feeding weakly weekly. Also, they will come back from their roots This tree is best suited to a tropical or subtropical climate, but will tolerate a light frost and can withstand temperatures down to 22 degrees for short periods in winter. While you can grow these species indoors for part of the year, youll need to set them outside with a layer of leaf insulation for a period of time during the winter to trigger spring growth. This leaves you with two options for propagating new plants: stem cutting or air-layering. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. ", orchids and succulents, cactus also will give us something to do and enjoy. This article received 93 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Keep the soil moist but not overwatered. You should repot your orchids in new bark every year or two, because it won't drain as quickly as it decomposes. Orchids might have different needs compared to most of your plants, but if you can master the basics of their care, they can be easy-care houseplants too. From a plant's perspective, houses usually have dim light, so you'll usually have better luck with orchid varieties that tolerate low light levels. Fertilize your orchid once a week during the spring and summer with a, If you dont have any space around your windows, put your orchids underneath. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Remove roots at the base that have lost all firmness or turned dark. has. Water your orchid whenever the soil feels dry, and fertilize it with a 10-10-10 fertilizer once a month while its flowering. Get rid of pests with rubbing alcohol or insecticides. Interestingly, these trees are not related to the orchid family at all. A boggy root zone brings on root rot and invites pests. Hong Kong Orchid Tree Care This is a rapidly growing tree that can reach up to 40 feet in height, and its wide canopy (which creates ample shade) needs space to spread. HOURS: Monday . Leaves are consisting of 2 broad leaflets, that are fused together along the inner edges. Place the orchid back in the pot (or repot) and refill with new bark. Its large, orchid-like flowers come in a range of colors, from reddish to pink. Orchid trees can become very large, up to 30 feet tall, but can As epiphytes, the diversity of orchids skyrocketed. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Under-watered plants will have wrinkled, dull green, limp leaves. Sometimes roots will circle the container before poking out. gray/green leaves (Fig. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To return the orchid to full, good health, follow up with adjustments to its care schedule. Avoid handling your orchid during bloom. Item #431920. RF 2B9MJW4 - Bauhinia blakeana, commonly called the Hong Kong orchid tree, is a legume tree of the genus Bauhinia, with large thick leaves and striking purplish Roots should being to form within 10-14 days. Hong Kong Orchid Tree. Watering frequency Our island soils are often void of nutrients and the ability to hold moisture, thanks to our coarse sands. For example, the popular horse phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis equestris) thrives in daytime temperatures of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and night temps of around 65 degrees. Deep rose-red, orchid-shaped blooms have a touch of white. Step 7:Build a berm (artificial ditch) about 3 inch tall around the base of the tree with a 12 inch diameter and fill it up with water. Hong Kong orchid trees are propagated vegetatively while Purple orchid trees are propagated from seeds. It does, however, produce a moderate amount of litter from fallen flowers and leaves later in the season. Bark doesn't hold much water and drains quickly, which makes it a good choice for orchids like Phalaenopsis and Cattleya that need to dry out between waterings. Prevent root rot by keeping an adequate, consistent care schedule for your type of orchid. If you want to use a blooming orchid as a table centerpiece or display somewhere other than a windowsill, there's no harm in moving it. Scientific: Bauhinia variegata Common: purple orchid tree Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Origin: China, India (naturalized across southeast Asia.) 2018 Desert Horizon Nursery. You can give this mixture to your orchid on a weekly basis (though it's better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize). wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. hole an inch or two recessed so that a watering basin is formed. The lack of seed pods may also make the Hong Kong variety a beneficial option for those with allergies. This trees parts are not toxic to dogs, cats or humans, but as with any garden plant not specifically grown as a food crop, it should not be eaten. Just take it back to its spot by the window once it's done blooming. In suitable climates, civic landscapers often use them to line median strips along the highway and decorate parking lot islands. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It is the beautiful display of orchid-like blooms, though, which make Hong Kong Orchid-Tree so desirable for the landscape, the large, six-inch blossoms appearing in . A quick spray of the roots before repotting is optional but may encourage your orchid to recover. They go semi-dormant in early summer, and look ragged during this time. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Hong Kong orchid trees are propagated vegetatively while Purple orchid Hong Kong Orchid trees tend to have more than one main trunk. Both groups of orchids showed similar results for the overall health of the plants, indicating that ice cubes are an effective and safe way to water orchids. 7.2K views 4 years ago It's the beginning of Spring time, and you may have noticed these beautiful blooming Hong Kong Orchid Trees in Phoenix (botanical name is Bauhinia Blakeana). Make sure rhizomes are covered but avoid covering up any new buds growing on lower canes or stems. Step 5:Fill one-third of the planting hole with loose soil and set it in place with water. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The researchers found that the temperature of the bark media only dropped a few degrees while the cubes melted, not enough to harm the roots. If even after treating the root rot, the roots continue to die off and you are unsure of the cause, isolate the orchid and contact your local greenhouse grower or extension agent for expert advice. However, the dry atmosphere of an air-conditioned home can be challenging. Step 1: Clear weeds and other debris from the planting site and water the plant in its nursery pot to ensure the roots are well hydrated. ), and clip off the dead roots. If your orchid has several stems or pseudobulbs, support the entire plant with one hand and turn the pot upside down. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. % of people told us that this article helped them. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 3. One trick to help promote vigorous blooms on this tree is to avoid overwatering. She shares 20 forested acres with her wonderful partners and pals, an ever-growing pack of rescue dogs, and all the plants and critters who call these woods home. Remove roots at the base that have lost all firmness or turned dark. Emerging on the Earth almost 120 million years ago, they started out as terrestrial plants. tree as normal and it will start to put out new growth in late July. Hong Kong Orchid Tree SERIES 16 | Episode 23 When this tree is in bloom it's a real showstopper. In 1965 the Hong Kong orchid was chosen to be the city flower of Hong Kong. Feeding is cut back during the winter rest period to avoid root burn. If you only have a west- or south-facing window, cover it with a sheer curtain to keep the orchids from getting burned. Fertilize the tree with compost in winter with potassium-rich fertilizer to encourage blooming in late winter. How To Grow and Care For Acoma Crape Myrtle, How to Grow and Care for 'Early Harvest' Apple Tree, How to Grow and Care for Japanese Maple Trees, How to Grow and Care for Doublefile Viburnum Shrubs, How to Grow and Care for Dwarf Flowering Almond, How to Grow and Care for Persian Silk Trees, How To Grow and Care For Japanese Zelkova Trees, How to Grow and Care for the African Fern Pine. Pat the soil firm around each seed. As such, the image of this delightful bloom can be found on the flag of Hong Kong (shown above), as well as its money and the city's official emblem. As such, South-Florida-Plant-Guide notes that the Hong Kong orchid tree is an excellent choice for those among us who get to spend their winters soaking up the Florida sun. Pull out the remaining seedlings 2. Interestingly, Hong Kong Orchid Trees are not related to orchids; they are actually legumes - and are related to common peas and beans. In 1908, a man named Dunn, who was the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department of the Hong Kong Botanical Garden, dedicated the tree to Sir Henry Blake, a plant lover and former governor of Hong Kong and his wife. Usually, orchids are potted in either sphagnum moss or bark chips, which both work but need slightly different care. These trees flower heavily during our cooler 'winter' months here. Support wikiHow by Next, wrap the cut area first in pre-moistened peat moss, then in plastic wrap secured by ties or bands. spurt at the tip, the stem darkened, died and began to shrivel. Too much of even a good thing can cause mild stomach upset. When these appear, the cutting can be removed and planted. Megan Hughes has a passion for plants that drives her to stay on top of the latest garden advancements and time-tested ways of growing great plants. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Examine the pot for signs of fungus or salt residue (white, chalky patches.) . Thank you for reading! Blooms normally appear by November, lasting well into spring providing blooms and comrading attention for almost five months. Growing 20 to 40 feet in height, Hong Kong Orchid-Tree creates a rounded, spreading canopy composed of large, six to eight-inch-diameter, gray/green leaves (Fig. Hong Kong Orchid trees are damaged at 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a basic granular organic fertilizer, mixing it in with the top layer of soil, and be sure to check the weather forecast to make sure its not going to rain for at least 3 days after you apply it. Though generally a very hardy tree, the Hong Kong orchid tree is somewhat vulnerable to pests and diseases. Use a cutting tool to make a clean, concise cut at the base of the root. long (15-20 cm), deeply cleft at the apex and base, and resembling butterfly wings. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Links to more orchid tree information Another recommendation is to fertilize with quarter-strength, water-soluble fertilizer each time you water your plant. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Many tropical species experience significant rainfall during the summer with a winter dry season. And they'll continue to fall throughout the tree's lengthy blooming period. of 1 preferable to the more common Purple orchid tree. 8 years ago. During the winter, youll want to cut back to watering only enough to keep the growing substrate from drying out. Watering and fertilizing advice was also helpful. In most areas, this schedule will be every other day through the summer heat and less frequently during fall and winter. Model #011505. It could be every few days or even every couple of weeks depending on the orchid species and the environment in your home. Great choice for flamboyant yard or garden tree. Sure, they may require specialized potting mix and a precise amount of water to thrive, but this large, diverse group of plants includes many species that are easy to grow indoors. 9 - 11 Partial - Full Sun Regularly Deciduous Perennial 15' Tall and 15' Wide Fast Spring - Fall Pink, Purple Avoid planting in a high-wind area. Its very important to prune Hong Kong orchid trees while they are young, as they may grow somewhat irregularly. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Unlike the common orchid tree (Bauhinia variegata), this trees flowers are sterile and do not produce seed pods that might aggravate allergies or cause litter, nor does it produce any fruits, making it a good choice for public gardens and urban landscaping. Why Is Paulownia Known As The Tree Of The Future? Desert Horizon Nursery is locally owned and operated. However, the Just Add Ice Orchids brand found that using ice cubes to water orchids causes no harm and makes caring for these plants a little easier. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. This is true for most terrestrial orchids, like the non-mottled, cool-growing species in thePaphiopedilumgenus. Prized for its orchid-like flowers, Bauhinia variegata (Orchid Tree) is a small semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub or tree with a spreading canopy of light green leaves, 6-8 in. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established water regularly to maintain moist but not soggy soil. Gardening 101: Caring for your orchids. Remove the orchid from the old bark (which you can toss on your compost pile! If you arent able to get a handle on a fungal or bacterial infection, it may be best to dispose of the entire plant. in full sun. Hong Kong Orchid. Healthy roots should be swollen and firm, green or silvery gray green with a darker tip. And won't the cold hurt these tropical plants? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Care-for-Orchids-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Orchids-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Care-for-Orchids-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Care-for-Orchids-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"