I was gifted an "orchid tree" Bauhinia spp. last spring. It was approximately 6" tall. It is now 4' tall and on my porch. It has always been potted. This tree is tropical and won't take heavy frosts/freezes. It appears that these trees get 30-50' tall and as wide. Since will always have to move it inside during the fall/winter months, I have to keep it within 7' tall/wide.

I assume I can trim the central stem and branches in the winter, before it puts out new growth in the spring. Will the tree ever bloom if cut back? I know this tree is found extensively in Florida, and is even considered an invasive plant in some areas. Perhaps you sub-tropical folks can tell me what to expect with this tree. IF it will never bloom, I really have no use for it and will simply dispose of it.

We grow Bauhinia in the ground here and it dies down in the winter and returns from the roots every spring, reaching 5 feet or so before the winter returns again. It has survived unprotected through temps in the teens. I don't know what species we have and it has never bloomed for us and I doubt it ever will. But we like it for its interesting leaves. And maybe one day we'll see it bloom.

Thanks, Dave. Everywhere I looked, it said it was a 9b-11 zone plant and II just assumed it would perish outside in the winter. The leaves are unusual for sure. Did you notice that they curl up after dark, when it gets cool, or when they are in need of water?

It matters a lot which species it is.
The B. variegata is the invasive one. There is a sterile cross (B. x blakeana) which is now more commonly planted here, but my neighbors have the original B. variegata and I am constantly pulling up seedlings in my yard....

I have 9 Orchid Tree seedlings in pots hoping to grow them largre enough to hide a non-HOA compliant greenhouse one day. The flowers are beautiful when planted in full sun! But they can be a mess! They reseed readily. As Dave said, they will die back and return each spring. If you are lucky enough to winter your's over, I would trim as you please.