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- Q.Bird Of Paradise Too Tall - The stalks are 16 ft tall its a white giant bird of para. Can i cut the big round stalks ...
- Q.How Can I Encourage A 16yo BOP To Bloom? - Hello, my Uncle has had a birds of paradise (BOP) planted in the ground for 16 years and it has ...
- Q.Is It Advisable To Cut The Dead Leaves And Stalk From Bird Of Paradise. - This plant is 2 years old,first time the leaves have died.No flower yet.
- Q.Mexican Bird Of Paradise Tree. How To Trim It To Keep It Full? - I trimmed it way down last year and it came back sparse and spindly.
- Q.My Large Blooming White Bird Of Paradise Broke Off At The Base In The Pot. What Do I Do To Save It? - I put it in a bucket of water till I get some advice. The base is about 6-8 inches
- Q.My Bird Of Paradise Plant Flowers Have Turned Upside Down. - Stalks are quite firm, so it has not just drooped. Any idea why?
- Q.Bird Of Paradise Bulb? - I have a strelitzia reginae - bird of paradise - growing with 4 pairs of leaves and a closed shoot ...
Asked by
jmb81376 on
May 30, 2020
34953Q.Bird Of Paradise Too Tall
The stalks are 16 ft tall its a white giant bird of para. Can i cut the big round stalks half way down to 5 ft and will it grow more stems from the graitfruit size round stems or should i cut down to ground
Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 2, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Because of the way that they grow, you cannot top the stem without killing the stem. Pruning will consist of removing a stalk to the ground. Try not to take more than 1/3 of the whole plant at once, though.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-outdoors.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
June 24, 2020Q.How can I encourage a 16yo BOP to bloom?
Hello, my Uncle has had a birds of paradise (BOP) planted in the ground for 16 years and it has NEVER bloomed once! I am a gardener and I can pretty much grow anything from seed or bulbs?❤ but I am still learning about and caring for already established plants. I know BOP like their roots to be pot bound and to be fed a lot to produce blooms but since in the ground what should I do to help encourage it to bloom? I also know it can often take 4-10 years for BOP to flower, but it's been 16! Please help! Any tips or "secrets" to get it to bloom would be fantastic!! I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. (I make my own compost, would this help?)
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 25, 2020
Certified ExpertA.This article about outdoor care of BOP should help. Often, if a plant doesn't bloom, it means not enough sun. BOP need a moist, organic rich, well-drained soil in full sun. (Yes, your compost will help a lot!)
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-outdoors.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Susan Morrison on
August 31, 2020
GU34 1DZQ.Is It Advisable To Cut The Dead Leaves And Stalk From Bird Of Paradise.
This plant is 2 years old,first time the leaves have died.No flower yet.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 1, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Normally, I would say yes, as they die off more than halfway. In this case, I notice that the leaves that are dying are the newer leaves! This indicates a serious issue.
Likely the container is too small. Roots are likely compacted, and the soil likely lacks nutrients.
Potting up into fresh soil in a slightly bigger container (about 2 or 3 inches larger on all sides) will help you to resolve the problem.
Here is an article that will help you to care for these plants:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-as-a-houseplant.htm
Was this answer useful?10 - Asked by
W6570 on
September 1, 2020
Palm Springs CA 92262Q.Mexican Bird Of Paradise Tree. How To Trim It To Keep It Full?
I trimmed it way down last year and it came back sparse and spindly.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 2, 2020
Certified ExpertA.These plants don't like to be cut back very much. Doing so will stunt it and cause it to grow back spindly and with little vigor. Pruning should, only, be done in late winter and you should barely cut anything from the plant. They don't tolerate a heavy hand with the shears. Really the only time this is acceptable is when it is so overgrown that it is causing issues. Otherwise cutting to the ground will cause a slowdown.
Here are two articles that will offer some information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/mexican-red-bird-of-paradise.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Barkermom on
September 3, 2020
Orange City Fl 32763Q.My Large Blooming White Bird Of Paradise Broke Off At The Base In The Pot. What Do I Do To Save It?
I put it in a bucket of water till I get some advice. The base is about 6-8 inches
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 4, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to see the damage.
It can be pretty difficult to root the BOP top unless you got some of the crown with the broken top. They can produce new pups from the crown, if it was left in ground, though.
Just provide proper care to the stump, and you will likely see new shoots within a few weeks. This article will help you to provide care to the plant:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 13, 2020Q.My Bird of Paradise plant flowers have turned upside down.
Stalks are quite firm, so it has not just drooped. Any idea why?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 14, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Check your container for overcrowded roots. If so, you can divide the plant and repot it in fresh soil.
Also, make sure they aren't overfertilized. And make sure you are watering properly. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/dividing-bird-of-paradise.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/feeding-bird-paradise-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-as-a-houseplant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-an-exotic-flower-like-none-other.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
liammachin900123 on
October 21, 2020
EdinburghQ.Bird Of Paradise Bulb?
I have a strelitzia reginae - bird of paradise - growing with 4 pairs of leaves and a closed shoot up the middle. The pot has holes in the bottom. There are no signs of roots pushing through or over the pot. However, there seems to be a bulb of sorts that is poking through one of the pot holes. I cannot find anything about this - any ideas?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
October 21, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to see the problem in question.
Many times when I get this description it turns out to be a mushroom!
What I can do in the meantime is point you toward an article that will help you with the care of the plant:
Was this answer useful?00
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