Orchid trees are actually relatively easy-care plants. Nevertheless, you can do a lot wrong with the care, which can severely affect the plant. Here are some maintenance tips.
Orchid trees bring tropical flair to balconies and terraces. The Bauhinia, which originated in Asia, got their name because of the colorful and sometimes fragrant flowers, which are reminiscent of orchids. The maintenance is comparatively easy and uncomplicated. However, some things must be considered. The legumes do not tolerate frost and drafts and waterlogging damage the decorative ornamental plants. We have put together the following tips and advice for you so that you are guaranteed not to do anything wrong when caring for your orchid tree.
4 care tips for the orchid tree
❖ Casting:
Orchid trees prefer a sunny location. Even the blazing midday sun cannot harm the tropical beauties. However, the moisture requirement is correspondingly high. The plants must not dry out.
Potted plants dry out more quickly than outdoor plants, which can obtain moisture from the deeper layers of the soil via their roots.
On hot days it should be watered daily. However, it is important to ensure that there is no waterlogging and that the irrigation water can always drain well from the bucket. If there is a build-up of liquid in the container, the roots are attacked. These can then no longer absorb nutrients and the plant eventually dies.
» Tip: Use lime-free water, preferably rainwater or well stale tap water.
The plants must be overwintered indoors. Watering should not be completely neglected, even during the cold season. However, the liquid requirement in winter is rather moderate, so you have to water less accordingly.
The thumb test reveals whether the soil is dry and needs watering.
Improper care in winter can lead to leaf fall or shoots wilting, which deprives the plant of unnecessary strength.
Coming soon:
- water regularly
- do not let it dry out in summer
- Use lime-free water
- Avoid waterlogging
- Water less in winter
❖ Fertilize:
During the growth phase in spring and summer, the orchid tree can be given conventional liquid fertilizer every 14 days. You can also use special fertilizer for potted plants. Add fertilizer to potted plants directly into the irrigation water every three weeks. If you mix compost into the substrate immediately when planting, you ensure natural and sustainable fertilization and avoid over-fertilizing the plants. The orchid tree is not fertilized during the winter period.
Coming soon:
- regularly during the growth phase
- Use liquid fertilizer or special fertilizer for potted plants
- do not fertilize in winter
❖ Pruning:
Pruning measures are usually well tolerated by the orchid tree. You can always cut back if the plant is growing too tall for you and you prefer a bushy growth habit. Upbringing to a high trunk is also possible. Be consistent and ensure that the lower side shoots are removed.
» Caution: In order for the crown to develop optimally, the strong leaders must be preserved.
So that the branches do not grow sideways, they should be cut back as close as possible to the trunk when pruning. The branches usually grow out of the remaining "stubs" in an uncontrolled manner, which endangers the growth habit of the orchid tree.
Best time to cut back
You can cut back immediately after flowering. If pruning is necessary due to disease or pest infestation, do not look at the calendar but act immediately to preserve the orchid tree.
If you use a sharp and clean pruning tool, the plant will tolerate the intervention well. Unsharp knives and scissors, on the other hand, lead to bruised or torn cut edges, which represent an entry point for bacteria and pests and unnecessarily weaken the plant.
❖ Overwintering:
The orchid tree is happy about a place in the sun on the balcony and terrace. However, if the temperatures fall below ten degrees, it becomes dangerous for the heat-loving plant. The plants do not tolerate frost and should therefore be brought back indoors in late summer. The temperature in the winter quarters should be around 15 to 18 degreeslie. Avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the heater. The plant is watered moderately in the winter quarters. Spraying the crop should be avoided.
» Tip: Some orchid trees shed their leaves in the winter quarters and only sprout again in the coming spring.
What to do when a leaf falls off
Don't worry, leaf fall on the orchid tree is usually harmless. These are semi-evergreen plants. This means that it is in the nature of the plant that a leaf drop occurs once a year. However, this is usually short-lived. The plant will soon sprout again. If the specimens are older, the long-awaited blossoms will appear at the same time.
The orchid tree does not flower until it is about four years old.
Important care tips at a glance
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • The sun-loving plants need a lot of water. Potted plants dry out quickly. • In summer they should be watered daily. • It is best to use rainwater. • Tap water should stand for about a week before it can be used as irrigation water . • Less watering in the winter quarters. • Always make sure that the plant does not dry out. |
| Fertilize | • During the growth phase, special fertilizer for potted plants can be applied at three-week intervals. • You can add conventional liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every 14 days. • The orchid tree is not fertilized during the winter months. |
| Cut | • Orchid trees tolerate pruning very well. • You can prune the plant immediately after flowering. • Pruning is recommended if you want a bushy crown to develop.• Diseased or dead plant parts can be cut back at any time. |
Orchid Tree Species Introduced
Carl von Linné described orchid trees for the first time in 1753. The generic name Bauhinia is reminiscent of Johann and Caspar Bauhin. The brothers were active as botanists and at the same time point out the two-part leaves of the orchid trees. The Bauhinia genus contains around 270 species.
✿ Butterfly Orchid Tree
The butterfly tree is by far the best-known orchid tree in our latitudes. With its strong, violet to crimson flower color, the plant is once again reminiscent of those that are indispensable in many living roomsButterfly Orchids. The flowers are particularly attractive, can be up to ten centimeters in diameter and exude a lovely fragrance. In the conservatory, the plant blooms around May. Budding begins around the beginning of April. From May, the plant can move to the balcony or terrace. Year-round keeping in the heated conservatory is also possible.
✿ Yellow Orchid Tree
The particularly small leaves are characteristic of the yellow orchid tree. The flowers appear like small funnels. This is due to the overlapping of the yellow petals. The flowers have a purple eye that is supposed to attract insects. First, the yellow orchid tree grows into a small bush with loose branches. In the later years, small trees with an oval crown develop. The yellow orchid tree only shows its elegant flowers in midsummer.
✿ Dwarf Orchid Tree
Although the Red Bauhinia belongs to the orchid trees, its growth is reminiscent of a climbing plant. The long branches find support on walls or scaffolding. The flowers appear particularly filigree and are colored pink to red. The dwarf orchid tree usually blooms in spring. However, some specimens do not flower until midsummer.