It seems I'm picking up leaves a lot during the year, but I've never paid attention to the time of year I'm doing it. It's nearing the end of losing its leaves now (June), and I'm looking forward to another year of healthy green leaves and blossoms in the near future.
They don't usually drop their leaves more than once per year unless conditions are dry. This will cause leaf drop to preserve moisture within the tree. It will usually recover from this.
Here is an article that will give you more information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/orchid-tree/growing-orchid-trees.htm
How do I get my orchid tree to branch out? It's a 7 foot tall stick with leaves. It has about 5 more trunks growing from the ground. Should I make it a bush instead of a tree?
Snip a few inches off the top to suppress the apical dominance and divert the growth to the lateral branching.
If you want a single trunk tree then remove the multiple stems at the ground level.
Leaving it in the plastic container will not allow good root growth for water and nutrient uptake. Also, it is very close to the building for allowing mature growth, natural form and beauty.
I’m worried it is taking away from the main tree growth. It’s about 3 yrs old.
Since you want to keep a main trunk and are not training it as a shrub, go ahead and cut it off. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/orchid-tree/growing-orchid-trees.htm
My new tree has only produced pods no flowers?
I would give it some time! Your picture did not come through so I cannot see what, exactly, it is that you are referring to.
Those pods are likely flowers that have not opened yet, as they will not be able to produce seed pods without flowering, first.
If they do not open in the next couple of months, then you can begin to assess the environmental conditions to find out what they are lacking.
This article will help you to care for the tree: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/orchid-tree/growing-orchid-trees.htm
I bought an orchid tree from a lady selling small trees off a road. Not a nursery. However, the tree was 3 free tall and has remained the same height. No growth, no flowers, no changes nothing its alive and grows new leaves every season but that all. What should i do???
A trip to your local extension office is in order. You can take a soil sample with you as well as a few of those brown leaves.
Are you watering freely in the summer and cutting back in winter? Do you fertilize monthly? Also, I would widen the soil ring under the tree to avoid mowing or weedeating injury or yard chemical injury. Then mulch it well. Here are more cultural items to check:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/orchid-tree/growing-orchid-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
I have a Hong Kong Orchid Tree. Something is eating leaves. Pic attached. What do you recommend for killing bugs?
It is hard to say without catching the pest in the act, but it does resemble leafcutter ant damage.
There are leafcutter bees, and many other pests that will do this, though.
A general purpose insecticide will resolve things, usually.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/holes-in-plant-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides
I need to know what's the best fertilizer for a Hong Kong orchid tree and in what parts
Here are plant care articles, but they don't mention fertilizer. I found on a vendor's website that even though they are fast growers, they burn easily, so fertilizer should be avoided.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/bauhinia-x-blakeana/
https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/bauhinia-%C3%97-blakeana
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/orchid-tree/growing-orchid-trees.htm