Characteristics of orchid tree (anacacho)?

to be planted in San Antonio, Tx 78229

Characteristics of orchid tree (anacacho)?
Scientific name: Bauhinia spp.

Pronunciation: bah-HIN-ee-uh species

Common name(s): Orchid-Tree

Family: Leguminosae

USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Uses: deck or patio; shade; specimen; reclamation; street without sidewalk; parking lot island %26lt; 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island %26gt; 200 sq ft; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn %26gt; 6 ft wide; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Use and Management

Growing best in full sun or high, shifting pine shade, orchid tree thrives in any well-drained soil but in alkaline soils will show interveinal chlorosis (yellowing) on the leaves. The flowers are followed by many brown, woody, 12-inch-long seed pods which are unattractive on the tree and a nuisance when they drop. The wood tends to be weak and sprouts are often seen growing from the base of the tree creating an unkempt appearance. Some people consider the fallen leaves messy because they are large and decompose slowly.

In flower, orchid tree makes a beautiful street tree affect with foliage and flowers arching over the road. However, the drooping branches must be removed as they develop, to allow for vehicle clearance beneath. Because sprouts will have to be removed regularly and the tree is bare for a month or two, this is considered by many to be a high-maintenance tree not suited for large-scale street tree planting. But it is a tough tree growing in most soils with pH below 7.5.



Many species, cultivars, and varieties are available. Bauhinia blakeana , the Hong Kong Orchid-Tree, is seedless and would not present such a litter problem. It is also the most spectacular and most wanted Bauhinia spp., bearing six-inch, orchid-like flowers of rich reddish or rose purple during the winter but is very tender to freezing temperatures. Bauhinia variegata , most popular, produces in winter and spring most nearly orchid-like blossoms of purplish casts or pure white in cultivar `Candida'. Bauhinia purpurea , most variable, produces narrow-petaled, red-purple to blue-purple flowers in late fall and early winter while leaves are on the trees. Bauhinia monandra produces pink, single-stamened flowers all summer. Bauhinia acuminata also blooms all summer but with white flowers. Bauhinia aculeata , with white flowers, is hardy as far north as hardiness USDA hardiness zone 8b but has a tendency to produce many root suckers.



Propagation is by seeds, or cuttings for the rare types.





Pests

Chewing insects and borers may present a problem for Orchid-Tree.



Diseases

No diseases are of major concern. Interveinal chlorosis occurs on high pH soil from micronutrient deficiency