What is the origin of the orchid tree?
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Latin name:
Bauhinia variegata
.
Botanical
family
:
Fabaceae such as peas, Russel's lupine and Japanese sophora.
Origin:
Southeast Asia, tropical Africa, Central America.
What are the main types?
Two species of the genus
Bauhinia
can be cultivated in metropolitan France:
B. variegata
and
B. galpinii
.
What uses of the orchid tree?
Very cautious, the orchid tree only grows in the ground on the Mediterranean rim or the Atlantic coast where it will be in a clear position.
Elsewhere, its very rapid growth prevents it from being grown in pots and therefore sheltered from the cold in winter.
Read the file: Origin, culture, flowering: all our advice on orchids
How to recognize the orchid tree?
This ornamental tree can reach 5 to 6 m in height.
It is distinguished by a fairly spread out habit and dense foliage, deciduous in mainland France, persistent in the overseas departments.
The bilobed leaves have the particularity of folding up at nightfall.
The flowers, numerous, generally purplish pink, are reminiscent of orchids, hence the common name of the species.
They are lightly scented.
Flowering period:
Mainly in spring, on still defoliated branches, and a little in summer.
Hardiness:
Very sensitive to frost but tolerates heat and drought well.
How to cultivate the orchid tree?
Difficulty level:
Easy.
Soil:
Light, nourishing, well drained, neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Read also: Garden: what if you got to know your soil?
Exposure:
Full south, sheltered from the wind and frost.
Sowing / Planting:
Seeds can be purchased on the Internet and seeded in early spring.
In this case, start the culture in pots and in a greenhouse to transplant when the size is sufficient.
Cultivation management
: Watering must be abundant and regular in spring and summer when the tree is still young.
In autumn, stop adding water as soon as the leaves fall.
Fertilizer, in principle useless unless the soil is poor, is done at the start of the season.
Common diseases and parasites:
No clearly identified enemy at this time.
Sheet written by Philippe Lemettais,
SNHF
, Orchids and indoor plants section.