\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 1) The substrate should be porous. And won't the cold hurt these tropical plants? long (15-20 cm), deeply cleft at the apex and base, and resembling butterfly wings. This can vary based on the humidity, light, air movement, and potting mix its roots are growing in. If your first attempt fails, you may want to apply rooting hormone to the branch before wrapping it with peat moss. 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. Exact recommendations vary by species. Prune the side branches of the tree (and not the guide) for the first 3-4 years to create a wide, umbrella-shaped canopy. Orchid trees do very well in the lower desert heat and sun if they have sufficient water. For help from our Horticulturist reviewer on clearing bugs or removing diseased spots, read on! Q. Orchid Tree - I have an orchid tree that has been growing beautifully for years. If you've removed it from the pot, soak the roots by submerging them in a small container of water until they start to plump up, Avoid wetting the foliage. For help from our Horticulturist reviewer on clearing bugs or removing diseased spots, read on! AJBB. Just take it back to its spot by the window once it's done blooming. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Its spread can be anywhere between 20 and. Be sure to plant at least ten feet away from your house or other structure to avoid problems later on. 8 years ago. This leaves you with two options for propagating new plants: stem cutting or air-layering. It was propagated and planted at the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens. So, in this guide, well set you up for success by explaining which orchids are best suited for indoor growing, and everything you need to know to make sure theyll thrive in your care. Bauhinias grow wild in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and this particular variety was found in China. You can purchase premium Hong Kong Orchidtrees online or in person by visiting us in Oakford by appointment. Make the cut with loppers, if the branch's diameter is greater than 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Any time stems, leaves, or aerial roots start to look limp or pale, the best place to start is to remove the orchid from its pot and examine the roots. Bauhinia tomentosa is an even smaller shrub with a maximum height of 6 feet. East-facing windowsills are great spots for orchids. At 6 inches across, the blooms are twice the size of other orchid tree flowers. Cold Tolerance Step 3:Carefully dislodge the plant from the container so as not to damage the root ball. Fertilize orchids weekly in the spring and summer. The orchids suitable for year-round growing are typically epiphytic tropical species that benefit from frequent, lose-dose fertilizing that mimics how they obtain nutrients in the wild. Well also briefly cover the Orchidaceae family in general before diving into specific indoor care requirements. A thorough watering 24 hours before pruning plumps up the roots which helps you determine where to prune and how much to remove. The Hong Kong orchid tree tolerates a range of light conditions. "Ensuring orchids get just the right amount of water, without over or underwatering is the biggest challenge for orchid plant parents," says Marcel Boonekamp, director of growing for Just Add Ice. 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. All plants can be watered with ice cubes, but it is not always practical. So, youll need to replicate these conditions indoors by watering the appropriate amount for the species in the summer and winter (rest period). With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. All plants require care at planting and the Hong Kong Orchid is no exception. Hong Kong orchid trees are sterile, so they don't produce those pods like other orchid trees. Since this tree is a fruitless sterile hybrid, it doesnt produce trees from seeds. Keep your orchid in bright, indirect sunlight. If you ever wondered how plants get their botanical names, such as Bauhinia, consider this explanation from "What Tree Is That?" by Stirling Macoboy: "In the 18th century, when . This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. These six-inch fragrant bloom Close Plant Care Resource Center Home For example, the popular horse phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis equestris) thrives in daytime temperatures of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and night temps of around 65 degrees. Since young trees can be irregularly shaped, pruning during the first several years after propagation is often needed to develop a more uniform crown. of the soil to help conserve moisture and to supply some nutrients. Dr. Martin Williams. have an interesting double lobbed shape. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This page is formatted to print nicely on a standard sheet of paper. 45 Gallon. 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. That means use just of the amount that the label recommends, and mix it with water. Exceptionally long-blooming, the sterile flowers produce no seedpods, unlike Purple Orchid Tree (B. purpurea). Early signs of orchid root rot can be subtle with the underlying problem often found in the bottom of the pot. Landscape Use: A spring flowering accent or specimen tree for mesic or oasis-like landscape settings. Transplant 8-inch high seedlings to a 1-gallon container. Cut back partially damaged roots until you see healthy tissue. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). BHG / Juli Lopez-Castillo. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Also, the Hong Kong has larger flowers and leaves, A boggy root zone brings on root rot and invites pests. Aug 24, 2021 - The lovely Hong Kong orchid tree produces color from winter through spring, with breathtaking reddish-purple flowers as large as 6 inches across. Hong Kong Orchid trees are damaged at 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. They are also somewhat susceptible to leaf spot and leaf scorch. Something unusual about this tree is that it's a winter bloomer: It offers a rich splash of color against the bleakness of deciduous trees that have shed their leaves from December through April.