Bauhinia is an original tropical plant that appeared in our house not so long ago. It is well adapted to a hot, dry climate, therefore it feels comfortable in natural conditions, blooms and actively develops in flower pots. Residents of the tropics are happy to decorate their homes with orchid trees.
Orchid tree (Bauchinia) is an incredibly beautiful plant. In nature, more than 5 species of bauhinia are found, but the purple orchid tree attracts the most attention. To grow such a plant at home is an honor for a real gardener.
What you need to know about the orchid tree
In the wild, a purple orchid tree can reach a height of meters. Bauhinia (orchid tree) at home grows no higher than 2-3 meters, depending on the conditions created for it. The tree is finicky and requires special attention, since it categorically does not tolerate a sharp change in conditions of detention.
The plant reaches its maximum height only after a few years, after which it forms a lush crown and begins to bloom actively. The flowering period begins in September, and ends at the end of December. If you take care of such a plant, the spring will be constantly in your house.
Some gardeners argue that the flowering period of Bauhinia can be extended by resorting to small tricks. The organization of additional artificial lighting will help preserve the beauty of flowering tree longer. But this option is not too convenient for growing an orchid tree in an apartment environment.
The real decoration of the collection of home plants is Bauchinia (orchid tree). Growing from seeds is a long and laborious process, but the result is worth it.
How the plant responds to changing conditions
If you are interested in growing such a plant as an orchid tree (Bauchinia), and you want to keep it at home - buy it or grow it yourself, remember: this plant is critical to changing conditions. Therefore, it is better to grow bauhinia than to buy in a store and refrain from carrying: choose a permanent habitat for the flower, otherwise the process of rehabilitation of the orchid tree may take a long time. Some gardeners note that after transferring the flower to another place, the plant was not saved - it withered.
How does a plant breed
The easiest way is to acquire seeds and grow a new tree, than to try to isolate the stalk and breed the plant through adult division. This method is difficult and not always under the strength of a novice gardener. Orchid tree (Bauchinia), grown from the cuttings, poorly rooted, grows slowly, causes a lot of trouble.
If you want to have such a plant at home, it’s best to get a bag of Bauhinia seeds and grow this tropical exotic tree for yourself.
How to handle orchid tree seeds
Bauchinia seeds are large grains of brown color with a solid outer shell that protects the internal contents from the effects of natural, chemical and mechanical factors.
Important! Before planting, it is recommended to soak the seeds of an orchid tree in warm water. It is recommended to slightly pierce the shell before planting, so that the sprout can break faster.
Following the procedures described above, the seeds are planted in a light substrate, cover the container with film or glass and placed in a warm place with an air temperature of about 25 degrees.
Important! Keep track of the temperature at the place where you hold the seeds. Any violations of the temperature regime (even a slight fluctuation) can adversely affect the germination of bauhinia.
If germination conditions were met, and you did everything correctly, after about a week, a sprouted sprout will appear on the surface. This is the future bauhinia - an orchid tree made of seeds.
Important! Do not touch the sprout with your hands!
Although the sprout is large, but, despite its massiveness, it remains tender and fragile. It is better to transplant a sprout when it leaves 2-3 leaves.
After two months, pinch the top. This will give the sprout more “bushiness”.
How to care for a sprout?
At first, try to protect it from direct exposure to sunlight, as it is extremely sensitive. Bauhinia, amenable to constant active exposure to sunlight, gets severe burns. It happened that plants died due to solar activity.
The small germ in the early phases of development is sensitive to parasites and diseases that affect plants. To protect the bauchinia tree, water it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, do not forget about the drainage, which will help the plant grow at an accelerated pace.
Where to plant a plant?
Bauhinia (orchid tree) at home (see photo in the article) feels satisfactory. The main thing is to provide her comfort. Orchid is not fastidious to the composition of the soil on which it grows, but experienced gardeners still do not recommend planting it in heavy soil. If the soil is heavily clogged, plant growth slows down, and plant sensitivity increases. If the external effect affects the plant positively, then it can reach one meter in several months.
The leaves look like little hearts that are so often painted on postcards. Some people compare orchid tree leaves with exotic butterflies. This is due to the reaction of the plant to the weather: on a sunny day, the leaves open completely, and on a cloudy day they close, resembling the flapping of the wings of a butterfly.
Note! Sometimes a tree stacks leaves from a lack of moisture. If this phenomenon continues for several days, check if the bauhinia does not suffer from a lack of moisture.
Features of the orchid tree
Excessive moisture adversely affects the plant, so it should be watered with caution. Good drainage will prevent rotting of the roots of the bauhinia.
The habits of the plant and the features of caring for it depend on the time of year. So, in the summer, the bauchinia will have to be watered more often, and kept in a warm place in the shade, in the winter to provide free access of light to the plant and move to a cooler place.
Important! In winter, bauhinia is watered extremely rarely. Then, when there is a strong drying of the soil.
Often in the winter, after a flowering period, the orchid tree falls into hibernation: it folds leaves and grows less actively. During the "rest" it is better not to disturb the plant: not to stimulate growth and not to make any fertilizers.
In spring, as soon as the orchid tree (Bauchinia) “wakes up” and opens the leaves, you can transplant (if necessary), fertilize it and provide it with a warm location. Plant prevention is also carried out in the spring.
Careful care and love of the plant will be rewarded a hundredfold: the very next year, the bauhinia, orchid tree (photos of it amaze with its beauty), will delight you with flowering.
The exotic plant Bauchinia conquers the most sophisticated gardeners and flower lovers. Such a tree will become a real decoration of a collection of indoor plants, and even a beginner can grow a bauhinia from seeds.