Bird of Paradise Plant Food
- Nutritional Needs. The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture recommends that bird of paradise plants receive 1 pound of a slow-release balanced fertilizer every three months to help the ...
- Animal Manure. You can use well-composted animal manures to fertilize bird of paradise plants, or you can purchase manure in bags at your nursery.
- Blood Meal. The University of Florida recommends fertilizing bird of paradise plants with blood meal if you prefer to use an organic product for your plant.
- Granular Landscape Fertilizers. You can use commercially available granular landscape fertilizer on bird of paradise plants. ...
- Slow and Controlled-Release Fertilizers. The National Gardening Association recommends controlled-release fertilizers as a remedy for the “feast or famine” effects of other types of fertilizer.
Is bird of Paradise fertilizer good for plants?
This product is, allegedly, one of the best bird of paradise fertilizers out there. It is intended for most flowering plants as well as for near-tropical and tropical plants and it is equally good for both indoor and outdoor plants.
How often do you feed bird of paradise plants?
You should be feeding bird of paradise plants of this variety every two weeks during the growing season. Top dress Mandela’s Gold plants with a layer of manure or compost. Don’t forget to keep the top dressing 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) away from the plant stalk.
How do you take care of a bird of paradise plant?
Bird of paradise plants grown indoors need a slightly different feeding schedule. You should be fertilizing bird of paradise plants every two weeks during the growing season and once a month in the winter. Use a water-soluble fertilizer. Mandela’s Gold is a hybrid with yellow flowers.
What is the best bird of paradise plant?
Feeding Bird of Paradise Plants. 1 Strelitzia Reginae. Strelitzia reginae is the plant with the familiar orange and blue flowers. It is the most cold tolerant and resilient. Top ... 2 Mandela’s Gold. 3 Strelitzia Nicolai.
What's the best fertilizer for bird of paradise?
For best growth and flowering, bird-of-paradise requires fertilization. Organic fertilizers (such as sewage sludge, manure, or blood meal), granular landscape fertilizers, or controlled-release materials such as Osmocote® or Nutricote® can be used.
Is Miracle Grow good for birds of paradise?
Apply a water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro or Peters 20-20-20 every two weeks according to label directions. Bird of paradise requires a winter rest period from late fall through the winter months. During that time, keep it in a bright, cool location that maintains a temperature around 55 to 60 degrees.
Should you fertilize bird of paradise?
Bird of Paradise are heavy feeders but only benefit from fertilizing during their active growing season in spring and summer. They need an evenly balanced N-P-K ratio or if planted in poorer soil conditions, consider a 20-20-20 or a 13-13-13 fertilizer to enhance nutrients.
How do I keep my bird of paradise healthy?
Birds of Paradise enjoy moist (but not soggy) soil, and being allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Try not to let the soil dry completely through the pot, but also avoid overwatering. Allow the top 2" - 3" of the soil to become dry between waterings, but below that should remain moist.
How can we encourage the growth of bird of paradise?
Give bird of paradise a spot in full sun for best growth and most flowers. The exception to that is in the hottest regions, where partial shade protects plants from strong sun and heat. Plants in full sun tend to be shorter with smaller flowers, while part-shade plants grow taller with larger flowers.
How often should you water bird of paradise?
every 1-2 weeksWater every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Pro tip: Birds of Paradise can benefit from filtered water or water left out overnight before using.
How do I make my bird of paradise bloom?
One of the most common reasons bird of paradise blooms fail to flower is insufficient light. These plants require at least four to six hours of full sun (or bright light indoors) in order to bloom sufficiently. They should also be kept evenly moist throughout summer but need to dry out between watering.
Why is my Birds of Paradise Dying?
If you see yellowing wilted leaves, it could be that your plant is overwatered. Check the roots to make sure there is no root rot. If the roots are damaged, you will need to repot your plant (see below). If the roots are fine, simply let the plant dry out before watering again.
Do birds of paradise like full sun?
If you are looking for numerous flowers and shorter stems on your bird of paradise plants, try growing bird of paradise outside in full sun. Those grown in shade have bigger blossoms but taller stalks. The plant produces flowers all year long in tropical climates. Most flowers grow on outer sections of the clumps.
Should I cut the brown leaves off my bird of paradise?
It is very important that you cut the brown leaves off your Bird of Paradise. Cutting off brown leaves is important for keeping your plant healthy. But not only do the leaves provide shade to keep moisture in the plant, but they also carry essential nutrients from the soil to feed other parts of it.
Should I mist my bird of paradise?
Water and humidity are important to keep your Bird of Paradise healthy. It needs consistent watering to keep the soil moist, but never wet or soggy. In addition to careful watering, it will benefit from regular misting to boost its humidity.
Why are my birds of paradise leaves curling?
New plants need plenty of water at establishment or their newer leaves will curl in protest. Chilly temperatures tend to make the leaves curl inward as protection. Poor soil and improper soil pH will also present as curling leaves on bird of paradise.
What is the bird of paradise?
The orange bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is the plant most often referred to as bird of paradise. According to Hardy Tropicals, there are two varieties that are commonly referred to as white bird of paradise: Strelitzia nicolai and Strelitzia alba. Strelitzia alba is rare in cultivation, so the most likely form that you will encounter is Strelitzia nicolai. University of Florida IFAS Extension says Strelitzia nicolai, also known as giant bird of paradise, is a tree form that can reach a height of 20 feet or more.
Where is the Bird of Paradise plant?
A bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) plant provides a dramatic, colorful appearance that is reminiscent of a magnificent bird. Some basic bird of paradise plant care will keep this gorgeous tropical plant, which does best in the warm U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, looking its best. The plant has become associated with warm, sunny and tropical places, such as Hawaii, Florida and sunny Southern California. In fact, the plant is the official flower of Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles Magazine.
How tall does Bird of Paradise grow?
It can be tempting to repot your plant when you see it continuing to grow, but keep your bird of paradise plant in its pot even when it reaches 3 feet tall.
Choosing Bird of Paradise Fertilizer
I recommend using a fertilizer that contains an even distribution of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium when it comes to feeding Bird of Paradise plants. Even distribution can mean an equal balance of N-P-K such as a 20-20-20 fertilizer, or it can mean an even ratio such as a 4-4-6 fertilizer.
Bird of Paradise Fertilizer Ratio N-P-K
The NPK ratio is the three numbers, separated by dashes that feature on almost all fertilizer packaging. These three numbers indicate the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contained in that particular quantity of fertilizer.
How to Fertilize Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise are heavy feeders but only benefit from fertilizing during their active growing season in spring and summer. They need an evenly balanced N-P-K ratio or if planted in poorer soil conditions, consider a 20-20-20 or a 13-13-13 fertilizer to enhance nutrients.
Feeding Bird of Paradise Final Thoughts
Feeding requirements and nutrition needs for Bird of Paradise aren’t particularly complicated. The important thing to remember is that they need a balanced feed during their active growing season only.
What is the bird of paradise?
The Bird of Paradise is considered the queen of the indoor plant world. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out.
How hot does the Bird of Paradise plant get?
TEMPERATURE. Your Bird of Paradise prefers average indoor temperatures of 65-80 degrees. FOOD. Feed once a month during the spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer for indoor plants. TOXICITY.
Where is Bird of Paradise native to?
In addition to careful watering, it will benefit from regular misting to boost its humidity. The Bird of Paradise is native to South Africa where it receives a lot of light and warmth. When grown indoors, there will not be enough light to trigger the plant to produce a bloom.
Why do birds of paradise leaves break?
These slits occur naturally in the wild to help the plant become more aerodynamic in wind and rain. Let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering and never let water accumulate in the saucer.
How to fertilize Bird of Paradise?
Be sure not to fertilize your bird of paradise plant when it is dry: it’s best to run a sprinkler or soaker hose for about 30 minutes before you water with your manure tea. Use 1 gallon of mixed manure tea for each plant every three months, according to the University of Hawaii, and be sure you don’t over fertilize this plant.
When to use blood meal for bird of paradise?
It’s best to use blood meal only in spring, when your bird of paradise plant is beginning its annual growth, because if you give it excessive nitrogen, the plant will produce lots of foliage, but fewer flowers. If you till in 5 to 10 pounds of powdered blood meal for every 100 square feet of garden area, the University of Colorado reports, ...
What is the bird of paradise?
The bird of paradise, a member of the banana plant family, is an attractive ornamental that grows in USDA climate zones as far north as zone 8. It forms clumps of dark green, strap-like leathery leaves, above which rise the unusual orange and purple flowers that resemble a tropical bird. Several types of fertilizer are effective in keeping this ...
Can you fertilize Bird of Paradise with blood meal?
The University of Florida recommends fertilizing bird of paradise plants with blood meal if you prefer to use an organic product for your plant. When you use a granular fertilizer, scatter the recommended amount on the soil around your plant, according to label instructions.
Can you use granular fertilizer on Bird of Paradise?
You can use commercially available granular landscape fertilizer on bird of paradise plants. When you use a granular fertilizer, scatter the recommended amount on the soil around your plant, according to label instructions. Be careful not to use too much of this type of product, especially if it has a high nitrogen content.
Bird of Paradise Plant Care at a Glance
Common Name: Bird of paradise Scientific Name: Strelitzia spp Soil: Organic potting soil Light: Full sun Water: Moist summer, almost dry winter Food: Houseplant food Temperature and Humidity: Warm days, cool nights, high humidity Propagation: Division Safety: Mildly toxic
Bird of Paradise Characteristics
Native to South Africa and hardy in USDA zones 9b through 12, the bird of paradise flower ( Strelitzia spp) resembles a bird’s head, with a horizontal “beak” (spathe) from which petals and sepals rise. On S. reginae and S. juncea, the petals are blue, the sepals orange, and the spathes a blue-green tone. Although both plants grow to 6 feet high, S.
Types of Bird of Paradise Plants
The strelitzia species plants described above offer plenty of natural variety in these tropical beauties. In addition, one hybrid stands out for its yellow highlights:
Selecting Soil for Bird of Paradise Plants
Because the bird of paradise enjoys well-drained, humus-rich soil, an organic potting mix should work well for it.
The Right Light
The bird of paradise reportedly needs at least four to six hours of sunlight per day to flower, with those blooms generally appearing in the cooler months, from autumn through spring. In the South, it often is planted in partial shade outdoors, where both its leaves and flowers grow larger than they would in full sun.
Watering Bird of Paradise
Keep your bird of paradise’s soil evenly moist but not soggy during spring and summer, allowing it to dry out no more than an inch beneath the surface. Gradually reduce the amount of water you give the plant over the autumn months.
Fertilizing Bird of Paradise Plants
Feed your plant every two weeks during spring and summer with a water-soluble plant food with a balanced formula such as 20-20-20. Select the product’s strength recommended for houseplants. During autumn and winter, cut back to fertilizing once a month.