Q.Bird of Paradise blooming
I have had a bird of paradise for about 20 years. Purchased in Florida as a pot plant about 3 feet tall. Brought home to NE Mississippi and repotted and continually watered, Miracle Grow, sunlight – moving this plant inside the garage every winter for approximately 4-5 months.
The summer of 2014 it busted its pot so we had it repotted professionally in a huge pot (24″ diameter X 30″ tall) in August and promptly moved it into the garage in November. This plant bloomed for the first time, in the garage, in February 2015 with two blooms. Excited and profoundly puzzled we happily moved it outdoors in March when warm weather arrived again. Had a special rolling cart made for it to be able to move it around with some ease. The plant itself is probably 5-6 feet tall and wide and received a good 5-7 hours of sun all summer long. It grows well in our spring, summer and fall.
Again, this winter we moved it into the garage, this time in November due to late winter arrival. It has bloomed again, with a beautiful flower in late December, another bloomed this week (mid Jan) and my husband swears there are at least 3 more stalks that will bloom. What the heck is going on with this plant? I feel it is taunting me for taking it out of Florida (I am a native) and love all tropical plants.
Most of the time gardeners want to know why their Bird of Paradise are not blooming!
Your plants winter home is likely warm enough and bright enough for the plant to be avoiding dormancy.
I would continue the great care you are providing and enjoy the bonus flowers!
It's likely the rhizomes will adjust to the climate change over a few seasons.
