Bauhinia semla (Orchid Tree) seeds

Beautiful shrub or small tree, native to India & Nepal, with stunning cream, purple speckled, orchid like flowers from late summer into autumn.  Lovely grown as a patio plant.  Will tolerate a light frost once established but will need frost protection for the first few years and from severe frost.  Can also be trained as a Bonsai or grown as an unusual houseplant as it can pruned to contain its size.

Half Hardy Tree/Shrub (to 0C)
Height: to 3m in the UK
Flowers: Late summer
Position: Lots of sun and well drained soil

Packet of 10 seeds

 

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GROWING GUIDE 

Pre-Sowing Instructions:  Soak seeds in warm water until they start to swell slightly.

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of the year. Sow well-spaced and approx. 6mm deep in an equal mix of vermiculite/perlite and good quality seed compost, eg. John Innes. Seal inside a polythene bag or place in a propagator and maintain at 22 – 29C. Germination takes from 3 to 6 weeks. Check the container regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out and open the bag/vents once the seeds start to germinate.

Growing Instructions: When seedlings are large enough to handle, remove them carefully from the container and pot up individually into 9-11cm pots. Grow on in cooler conditions (15-20C) in good, natural light, but avoid direct sunlight, re-potting as necessary.

In mild areas, Bauhinia can be planted out in the garden in a sunny position with winter protection or can be container grown and moved to a frost free place for winter. Otherwise, as a houseplant they like lots of light, regular watering, a monthly feed and annual pruning after flowering to restrict size. Can be placed outdoors in a sheltered sunny spot in summer.

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