I received some bauhinia yunnanensis seeds and I was wondering how cold hardy they are? I live in zone 8a and we can have temperatures in the teens during bad Winters.

It says it is hardy to zone 7B

Ok that's great . I was confused because I kept seeing hardiness zone 9 or 8b. I'll have to overwinter it indoors because I don't think it will have enough time to get established? Thanks again Hetty.

TexasPlumeria87 said: I'll have to overwinter it indoors because I don't think it will have enough time to get established?

I have 4 different types that I grew from seed last year including Yunnansis that I overwintered under lights last year in my basement. They did more or less okay. Am growing them for bonsai as my Zone is out of the question. Would love to see them bloom on a 12 " plant. hehe

I may have more issues since I don't have any grow lights? Hopefully they'll survive until next Spring? Mine has been a pretty slow grower.

Uhhh TexasPlumeria87. I just noticed you get into teens? I don't think that any Bauhinia can handle that. I may be wrong of course.

Bauhinia are fairly slow growers when young. You might try a Southern exposure window.

Being fairly new here, what do you do with your Plumeria in Winter?

cheers

I'll probably just overwinter it in the house every winter and place it outside during Spring and Summer? I have it outside right now but I'll be sure to place it in front of a south facing window once I bring it outdoors. I cut the leaves off of my plumerias and place them in a dark room. I give them water two or three times the entire winter and mist them to deter spidermites.

Sorry I missed the plumeria reply. Thanks. I only have one to deal with. I have though ordered a bunch of seed and will start in my basement in January.

I started another Bauhinia (Monandra) from seed this year. It and those I started last year have been outside in full sun since Mothers Day. Since I am growing them for Bonsai, I have kept them all in very small containers and they will stay that way.

Good luck. Bauhinia are beautiful. Wish I were in a zone where they could be planted in the ground.

You're welcome David. My plumerias are the easiest plants to overwinter, though they wake up a little early in my heated house. I'm probably going to have issues down the road when they get much larger. Bauhinias are definitely pretty and the leaves are so unique. I used to have a white bauhinia that I started from seed but spider mites killed it. I definitely wish I lived in a warmer climate so I could plant mine in the ground.

Update. I started these from seed in March 2014. They have spent the summers outdoors and in my basement under lights in winter this year (winter 14/15 I kept them in a back bedroom in a West window).

Took them outdoors a while back and they are now starting to vine! How cool. They did not vine last year.

Since they can easily vine to 12 + feet, now I have to figure out how to deal with that aspect!

Wow that's great David! My seedlings died over winter so I had to start more seeds. They're doing well but still small. Hopefully you'll see some blooms soon?

I have like 10 or 11 plants now of 4 or so varieties. Some of them I have kept small for bonsai. I may let one of these go for it though.

Wow I didn't know there were more varieties? I hope you'll post pictures of the bonsai ones?

I started several Orchid Trees from seed. I gave all but 4 away. Having no place in my yard (why?!) I planted them in the forest hoping they will grow up tall so I can see them flower over the fence. 2 took, one is struggling, and one died. It doesn't get full sun in the understory of the forest but enough to keep it growing. I go back there and cut away the vines that want to grow on on. I feed it. Water it. But it is still just 3 feet tall.

Cheryl how long ago did you plant them? I wonder if it's focusing on developing a strong root system?

Oh, Gosh. I think they were overgrowing their pot when I put them into the ground. Some of the pots rooted themselves into the soil below them. Maybe started them 2 years ago??

I wonder if their growth was stunted because of the crowded roots? Maybe next year it will put out a ton of growth? I've never had much experience with orchid trees outside of growing a white flowered variety from seed. It died when I tried to overwinter it indoors.

I grew all mine from seed. Either 3 or 4 or 5 varieties. Need to check. Most were started 2 years ago but I added monandra ? last year. I winter them all in my basement grow area and reduce watering a bit. Two years so far. I did lose a lot 2 years ago after potting up, but heck - I had like 24 plants.

It's a good thing you had a lot of plants to make up for the ones you lost.