Bird of paradise

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by Scott manning, Jul 23, 2022.

  1. Scott manning

    Scott manning Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +4
    Can someone please tell what’s going on with my bird of paradise.
    She around 4 years old and for the past 2 years any new leaves come though brown, it’s not looking too great after the heat wave either,
    I’ve tried different locations, misted her and had a gravel try with water for humidity, I’ve put her in the green house to see if this will help,I’m a little confused on what to try next.
    Any help would be great thanks
     

    Attached Files:

    • Informative Informative x 1
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jun 3, 2008
      Messages:
      32,364
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +49,749
      It does look forlorn. I would say it needs a bigger pot, in good sunlight and feeding. They don't like sitting in water so maybe the compost is soggy? Have you had it in the same compost for 4 years?
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        32,364
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +49,749
        Have a look under the leaves for red spider mite, might need a magnifying glass, but these plants are susceptible and the leaf curl looks like a symptom.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          51,026
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +93,701
          I'm thinking something is happening to the leaves before they emerge, if its only happening to the new leaves.
          I had a young plant die on me last year and never did work out the cause.

          Check for mealy bugs and Red spider mite although it doesn't look like that could be the main problem to me.

          I'd definitely have it outside in a sunny spot for the summer if you can.

          Check the roots are ok and some nice white root, if you can a repot up a couple of sizes wont hurt in some JI no3.

          I've seen them grow damaged leaves before and they often grow out of it
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Informative Informative x 1
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            51,026
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +93,701
            Dont keep moving it, find a good summer spot and a good winter spot and leave it alone.
             
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • Scott manning

              Scott manning Apprentice Gardener

              Joined:
              Jul 23, 2022
              Messages:
              6
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +4
              she’s been repotted twice since I got her I will try a bigger pot and some ji no3 thanks for your help
               
              • Like Like x 3
              • Victoria

                Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

                Joined:
                Jun 9, 2006
                Messages:
                31,432
                Occupation:
                Lady of Leisure
                Location:
                Messines, Algarve
                Ratings:
                +56,030
                I think they do best pot bound.
                BoP Feb.JPG
                 
                • Like Like x 3
                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

                  Joined:
                  Jun 3, 2008
                  Messages:
                  32,364
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Surrey
                  Ratings:
                  +49,749
                  How often do you have to water it @Victoria, do you feed it? It looks super.
                   
                  • Agree Agree x 1
                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                    Joined:
                    Jan 9, 2005
                    Messages:
                    51,026
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired
                    Location:
                    Mid Kent
                    Ratings:
                    +93,701
                    Phaaa, old wives tail.:biggrin:
                    Might force them to flower because they think they are dying, but not good long term, IMO.:smile:
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Funny Funny x 1
                    • Victoria

                      Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

                      Joined:
                      Jun 9, 2006
                      Messages:
                      31,432
                      Occupation:
                      Lady of Leisure
                      Location:
                      Messines, Algarve
                      Ratings:
                      +56,030
                      That's when it was young in February 2007. It is now crammed in rock and red clay. It gets watered once a week even now in this heat. It has never been fed. This was it in February this year shaded by the Viburnum ...
                      BoP2 25 Feb22.jpg
                      Ah, but remember I am an old wife. :whistle: I have had her 17 years now and she was young when I got her, a present from my father. I think she is one of the smaller varieties.
                       
                      • Like Like x 3
                        Last edited: Jul 23, 2022
                      • Balc

                        Balc Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Mar 6, 2022
                        Messages:
                        2,440
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired
                        Location:
                        Huntingdon, Cambs
                        Ratings:
                        +9,688
                        I've been growing a seedling 'Bird of Paradise' for about 4 years I think. In that time I've repotted it a few times but it has always remained in our kitchen.

                        I had one leaf die on me last year that wasn't a part of the normal leaf dying process at the bottom of the plant. I have one leaf that is dying now but its at the bottom of the plant. As it only puts out about 4 leaves a year I've been monitoring their progress & I'm looking forward to the day I see my first flower!
                        .
                        'Bird of Paradise' Strelitzia reginae in kitchen 11th February 2022.jpg
                        .
                        'Bird of Paradise' (Strelitzia reginae) with new leaf forming in kitchen 30th June 2022 001.jpg
                        .
                        'Bird of Paradise' (Strelitzia reginae) with new leaf forming in kitchen 3rd July 2022.jpg
                        .
                        The last leaf has fully developed now.
                        .
                        @Scott manning I hope your plant will recover over the summer.
                        .
                         
                        • Like Like x 2
                          Last edited: Jul 23, 2022
                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                          Joined:
                          Jan 9, 2005
                          Messages:
                          51,026
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Retired
                          Location:
                          Mid Kent
                          Ratings:
                          +93,701
                          I bought a small plant last year, it turned out the pot had two small plants growing together so I separated them and one was kept in the conservatory over winter, the other was in my frost free greenhouse min 4c.

                          The difference in leaf stalk length is fairly obvious.
                          This time last year they both were the same size.
                          DSC02870.JPG
                           
                          • Like Like x 2
                          • Informative Informative x 1
                          • JWK

                            JWK Gardener Staff Member

                            Joined:
                            Jun 3, 2008
                            Messages:
                            32,364
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            Surrey
                            Ratings:
                            +49,749
                            After the first two flowers started to fade I've continued with the high potash feed and got another flower coming:
                            20220722_205517.jpg
                             
                            • Like Like x 4
                            • Victoria

                              Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

                              Joined:
                              Jun 9, 2006
                              Messages:
                              31,432
                              Occupation:
                              Lady of Leisure
                              Location:
                              Messines, Algarve
                              Ratings:
                              +56,030
                              A double-headed Bird ... they are rare!
                               
                              • Like Like x 2
                              • Agree Agree x 1
                              • pete

                                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                                Joined:
                                Jan 9, 2005
                                Messages:
                                51,026
                                Gender:
                                Male
                                Occupation:
                                Retired
                                Location:
                                Mid Kent
                                Ratings:
                                +93,701
                                I usually find the smaller flower emerges first from the main flower, then the main flower starts to open before the smaller one. :smile:
                                 
                                • Informative Informative x 3
                                Loading...

                                Share This Page

                                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                  Dismiss Notice