The bird of paradise is a family of flowering plants native to South Africa. The genus of plants is scientifically known as Strelitzia.
Care
Here are a few simple care tips for these plants to keep them healthy and beautiful.
Water
They require some regular watering and the soil should be kept moist all the time, especially when in pots. Remember, the soil should not get soggy. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering in the fall and winter.
Sun
Plant them or place them in bright sunlight to partial shade areas. Give them as much sunshine as possible but protect them from intense summer sun.
Repotting
If growing in pots, repot them every year or two to larger pots to give them some room. You can initially plant them in large containers and allow them to get root bound as they look more happy and bloom better when root bound.
Temperature
They grow best at 50 degrees or above, i.e. indoor temperatures.
Pruning
Remove dead and dry parts of your bird of paradise plant. Dead leaves don't fall on their own and should be clipped off at the base.
Fertilizing
Feed them with a good 10-10-10 fertilizer twice a month in growing season. Do not over fertilize.
Soil
They require excellent drainage so a well-drained and rich soil is required.
Facts
They are closely related to the banana plants. They originated in South Africa and was introduced to Europe in 1770s. The bird of paradise plants can be propagated from seeds and also by division.
You can read more about these plants at: Bird of Paradise Plant
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