Bauhinia monandra, the Pink Orchid Tree or also called the Butterfly Flower, is a tropical shrub or small tree growing up to a height of 20 feet with a spreading habit. It may be grown indoors with warmth and bright light and kept pruned to a small size. It is fast growing. A native of Burma and naturalized in tropical America.
Small, rounded-crowned tree with smooth gray bark. Leaves are 4 to 6 inches across and cleft almost to the middle, giving the leaf the shape of a hoof print. Their characteristic twin lobed leaves give them a definite tropical look.
This very rare variety develops pink orchid-like flowers with red blotches or dots, the uppermost one splotched with deeper red, yellow or yellow-margined. The petals are spreading, each about 2.5 - 4 cm long. Blooms in Winter to early Spring. The flowers ares followed by pods maturing in the Fall. Seeds are in pea-like pods, which may be 6 inches to 1 foot long.
Hardiness Zones 10-11, (1°C/35°F,5°C/40°F) in Winter. Grow in full sun to light shade. Water moderately. Bauhinias should be fertilized at least once a year. Use sandy well drained potting soil.
| Label |
No |
| Common name |
Pink Orchid Tree |
| Family |
No |
| Genus |
No |
| Species |
Bauhinia monandra |
| Cultivar |
No |
| Therapeutic uses |
No |
| Germination |
Bauhinia is easily propagated from seed. First, you can scarify the seeds, but this is not a must. Sow the seeds 1-2 cm deep in sandy well drained potting soil, placed in a warm position and kept moist, not soaking wet. Germination should occur within 3-4 weeks but it can take longer, don't give up. The process can be speeded up by soaking the seed overnight in hot water.
|
| Scarification / Stratification |
Seed coats may be so hard that they are impermeable to water. They need to be scratched or broken using a knife or sandpaper, in order to germinate. Chip the seeds with a sharp knife or make a few swipes with a sharp edged file or use sandpaper to allow moisture being more readily absorbed.
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