I live in the east Houston area. During the last freeze, my birds look dead. I would like to trim them and see if they grow back but I'm not sure how to do that. How far do you trim? what type of tool should I cut them with? They are completely brown. The stalks are not rotten. Any suggestions?
This cold has damaged many plants this year. I would wait until spring to cut back the plant, as it will help protect the new growth, just in case another freeze occurs. Cut away any brown stems and leaves with a sharp pair of shears. These articles will help you as well:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm
Does the Bird of Paradise hold up through the Florida winter freezes? How do you trim the dead foliage in the spring? And can you transplant a 4 footer?
They can hold up to cold weather, but they will take some damage. This article will help you confirm that it is still alive:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
Any brow material can be removed from the plant. This article will help you with pruning:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm
You can transplant them, but be aware the larger the plant, the more likely it can go into transplant shock. This article will help you with transplanting:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm
What happens after the bird of paradise blooms?
You can prune off the spent blooms if you like. This article will help with that:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm
Not much else happens other than the bloom fades. Once in awhile, seeds will form, but many people do not like growing Bird Of Paradise from seed because it takes so long for the seedlings to reach maturity and be able to bloom.
I have a very large, old and established bird of paradise in my yard. I live in northern Florida and this has been the coldest winter. My bird of paradise and my Phoenix roebelenii palm are both quite brown. It is now past the freezing point and I would like to know if I can save these two plants. Please let me know what I should do.
I would wait until spring is fully here to cut back the plant. It will help protect the new growth, just in case another freeze occurs. But, you will need to remove the yellow and brown fronds and leaves in the spring but only those as they will not come back. Do not remove green fronds or leave. These articles will help you as well:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm
We just purchased a home that has several large (20') birds in the landscape, the white-flowering type. The freeze has killed many fronds on the plants. How should I prune them back? Should I fertilize to help them come back? We also have some fan palms with the same concern. I would appreciate your advice on caring for them.
These articles will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm
I am cutting a giant bird of paradise away from a wall. The root and base have grown together for 30 years. What is the best way to remove the part by the wall and save the 3/4 of the trunk wiht 15-foot stacks? I want to save it as it is a beautiful part of our yard.
If the plant is that large, you should be able to cut away the part of the plant near the wall and it will not cause any problems. You may see reduced blooming for a year or so, but other than that, it should be fine.
How much can I cut back a large white Bird of Paradise? It is getting too large, but I don't want to kill it.
You should not prune back any more than 1/3 of the plant in any one year.