Mine froze to the ground. :( It's coming back, but just from the roots. I'm pulling it and trying again, but this winter, the trunk will be wrapped at the slightest threat of frost.

Your tree is most likely dead, especially if it was in the ground for less than a year. The Hong Kong Orchid Tree can't take temps under 28.

Consider a different orchid tree that will tolerate the cold of the Sonoran desert, like the Anacacho Orchid tree or Chihuahua Orchid trees. Although I've never grown one, a Mexican Orchid Tree will likely work as well.

Mine is starting to leaf out and it was never protected this winter. It got as cold as 26 over here.

How big is your tree?

My Hong Kong orchid has been in the ground 1 1/2 years. Got zapped in the frost. Had Christmas tree lights wrapped around the trunk and up into some of the branches. No buds yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. Northeast Phoenix.

Min is about as tall as that but the trunk is about twice the size of yours and shoots are growing everywhere now. It's been on the ground for 2 years now.

Have you tried breaking any of the branches closer to the trunk to see if they're still green or at least not brittle?

Yes, I did. I'm thinking its probably a goner. I bought it for $60 at AZ green things in tucson. I thought I lost a lot of things actually but my crape myrtles are leafing out, tecoma stans is coming up from the root, and butterfly bush is growing like crazy.

I'm really bummed. It was beautiful when I planted, and yes the limbs are brittle. Goldie, I think the trunk on mine is about twice as thick as yours but its not as branchy.