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bauhinia

YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
in Problem solving
Hi I had this orchid tree for about a year which I grew from seed. Unfortunately due to the cold weather last year it took a beating. I lost my mahogany to the cold as well.
My question is it has small buds as in the photos so still alive. The buds are not opening and firming leaves so it still could die. Is there anything I can do to encourage it to survive and start opening the buds properly?
It's an indoor plant as not hardy. Thanks.

London

Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    I know nothing of Bauhinia so cannot give specific advice but I do know that when it comes to houseplants, they pick up at this time of year and respond to the lenghtening days and brighter sunshine. Some of mine are only just now starting to put on growth and seem to be waking up from the winter so maybe it is just a question of patience and letting your plant come round slowly. Just one thing, the pot does seem a bit large for the size of the plant. Is this a case of a baby being in a king sized bed?
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    Thanks for the reply. I only repotted it last year and it is a tree. It will get reasonably big. If it picks up I will have to find a bigger pot. Hopefully he will recover.
    London
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    It is a good idea to only pot on into the next size of container rather than thinking of the tree's ability to grow huge. This stops the plant from being marooned in a sea of cold compost which isn't good for the roots. Sorry if that sounds a bit preachy......I have no idea how extensive the bauhinia's roots are.......but it is better to be mean rather than a bit too generous when it comes to pots. And think of the saving on compost. How that actually squares with the amount of earth available to a tree in the wild is something I have problems getting to grips with. I have been guilty of lavishing pot space on small trees only to find that they go on strike in disgust at the generous allowance of soil......it is a gardener's weakness to be too generous with plants when the opposite might be better for them. Is this because we regard our plants, especially those we have raised from seed, as pets?
  • The Bird LadyThe Bird Lady Posts: 225
    edited March 2023
    Our Bauhinia lives out under the car port (closed in on three sides) all year round, except this year we did put it away because it was exceptionally cold at times.  The problem we sometimes get is scale.  The plant always looks very sad at this time of year but somehow always comes back.  Fingers crossed that yours does too. Beautiful blooms aren't they?
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    I hope he does but first time he's ever dropped all leaves. I don't know if I should water to help the buds open or just leave dry.
    If I water maybe I'm making things worse. Just unsure.
    Mine has been too young to flower I guess and been indoors as no outdoor space.
    London
  • The Bird LadyThe Bird Lady Posts: 225
    We do water ours in the winter but only a little.
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    It is supposed to be spring so not sure. Do you have pics of your plant?
    London
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    So my plant has budded but the leaves seem to be stuck and not opening. Should I increase watering or could this stress the plant out?


    London
  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    I don't think anyone is interested in this topic but just update. Plant still alive and growing leaves. Might take a while before fully recovered. Interestingly giving him water seemed to cause stress and kill first growing bud.
    London
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