\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The lovely Hong Kong orchid tree produces color from winter through spring, with breathtaking reddish-purple flowers as large as 6 inches across. The Hong Kong Orchid Tree will add a tropical look to your landscape. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They range in size from 5 to 6 inches. Moss-based media retain moisture better and are usually cheaper than bark, so you dont have to water it as frequently. Rather than one central trunk it usually forms several main trunks. This can vary based on the humidity, light, air movement, and potting mix its roots are growing in. long (15-20 cm), deeply cleft at the apex and base, and resembling butterfly wings. So, some orchids require cool to cold winter exposure to trigger spring growth and flowering. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you want a spectacular flowering season, cool them off during winter and house them somewhere with temps closer to 55F. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Gently grasp the main stem at the base. 2) There should be no waterlogging in the plant container. Since this tree is a fruitless sterile hybrid, it doesnt produce trees from seeds. Each of these problems can be chalked up to any number of causes, but one of the easiest ways to find out what's wrong is to first examine the roots. This is known as a semi-ripe or semi-hardwood cutting. This article was co-authored by Matt Bowman and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Enter the username or e-mail you used in your profile. You may grow them in containers for the first year or so, but due to their rapid rate of growth its best to plant them in the ground while theyre young and less than five feet tall. East-facing windowsills are great spots for orchids. Oldest; Comments (3) ra. Some people object to the debris which . Hong Kong Orchid Tree is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its crucial to prune them in the first few years to ensure strong structure as they grow. It's time to add more water when the potting medium feels dry (you can test it simply by sticking your finger about an inch into the pot). She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Orchid roots should be green, to silvery green in color and plump with just a slight give when pressed. Some large, established houseplants require more water than orchids, however, making it cumbersome to water with ice. A Hong Kong orchid tree grows just behind Ranger Base at the Safari Park. A thorough watering 24 hours before pruning plumps up the roots which helps you determine where to prune and how much to remove. 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. Orchid trees do very well in the lower desert heat but have troubles So there's one more reason to rake up and discard debris. Taking a peek at the roots is an easy way to tell. Going to cut the spike all the way down. Considered the most beautiful tree available! Note that youll need to hone these conditions more specifically to the species youre growing, so always research the culture requirements for your particular plant. Protect from harsh drying winds, extreme heat, and hard freezes. If your little tree stops growing or shows any sign of distress, consider those as indicators that it's ready for a new home. In suitable climates, civic landscapers often use them to line median strips along the highway and decorate parking lot islands. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Read our, Spray the Roots with Hydrogen Peroxide (Optional), Planting Orchids: How to Repot an Orchid Plant, How to Propagate Orchids Four Different Ways, Beginner's Guide to Orchid Care: Basics You Need to Know, How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Shangri-La, Why Is My Orchid Dying? 1). Give the orchid several days, up to a week, to recover before resuming a normal watering schedule. Be sure to plant at least ten feet away from your house or other structure to avoid problems later on. The Orchidaceae family contains almost 30,000 species grouped into almost 900 genera. 8 years ago. Secure the trunk to the stakes with staking straps about 6-7 inches below the lowest branch of your transplanted tree. Regular pruning will give them a solid structure and create a uniform shape to the crown of the tree. Height: 20 - 50 feet Width: 20 - 50 feet Growth Rate: Moderate Growing Grow Season: Summer Flower Season: Spring Color: Purple Function: Accent Spread: Spreading Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The Hong Kong orchid tree ( Bauhinia blakeana , zones 9b through 11), is evergreen and produces magenta flower clusters. They are also somewhat susceptible to leaf spot and leaf scorch. 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. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They can grow up to 30 feet or be cut down into a shorter tree or bush. If you decide to use gravel, just make sure the pot is sitting on top of the rocks, not nestled in them. The final consideration for growing orchids indoors is fertilizing. This orchid tree was planted in October 4 years ago and is The Hong Kong variety will not be dropping any seedpods, but the flowers and leaves will be plentiful. We recommend choosing a full-to-part sun location, and make sure you have well-drained soil. Under-watered plants will have wrinkled, dull green, limp leaves. The cutting should be from the current year's growth and partially hardened. It wasn't until 2005 that researchers figured out it was a hybrid created by mixing a Camel's Foot Tree with a Purple Camel's Foot. Your orchid doesn't have to be glued to the same spot though! The gray-green foliage is somewhat deciduous, although its deciduous . Avoid using water thats colder than 50F (10C) since it can damage the roots. By using our site, you agree to our. The orchid tree stands out with its fast-growing, salt- and drought-resistant competency. Great choice for flamboyant yard or garden tree. Due to their specialized growing requirements and the fact that many are kept indoors in non-native environments, errors in orchid care often lead to damaged roots and rot. 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. 9 - 11 Partial - Full Sun Regularly Deciduous Perennial 15' Tall and 15' Wide Fast Spring - Fall Pink, Purple Handle seeds 2. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia. Personalize it. 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. Giving your houseplants the right amount of moisture can seem like a guessing game, and it's even more challenging when that houseplant is a delicate-looking orchid. That X between the genus and species name (Bauhinia x blakeana) lets growers know that the Hong Kong orchid tree is a hybrid, meaning species were crossed to create it. Yes, you can cut off rotten orchid roots with a sharp, sterilized tool; spray it with a 10 percent isopropyl alcohol solution between cuts. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Care-for-Orchids-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Orchids-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Care-for-Orchids-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Care-for-Orchids-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"