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 ...
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What is the best fertilizer for bird of Paradise?
A balanced fertilizer is recommended for bird of paradise plants. The NPK ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should all be the same. For example, a 20-20-20 NPK ratio fertilizer will be a good option. Steer manure is an excellent choice for a natural, balanced fertilizer.
Is bird of Paradise easy to take care of?
The Bird of Paradise is known for being a bold, statement plant, but it is also a very easy to care for houseplant. Lush leaves that can grow to be rather large given the right care, create a tropical ambience, but perhaps the most stunning feature of this well-known plant are the flowers.
How often do birds of Paradise need to be fertilized?
Indoors, birds of paradise often need to be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season and once a month in the winter. This is more often than most plants, but producing the distinctive, spiky flowers takes a well-fed plant.
How do you care for a bird of paradise Strelitzia nicolai?
The Strelitzia nicolai can live in average humidity, but increased humidity will help this plant thrive. Place the Bird of Paradise in an area that is naturally humid, or use a humidifier or a pebble tray with water to create the ideal environment. Fertilize using a diluted complete liquid fertilizer every other week during the growing season.
How much fertilizer does a bird of paradise plant need?
For new plantings, sprinkle 2 tablespoons into the planting hole and water well. For established plants sprinkle 2 tablespoons over the soil around your Bird of Paradise. Dig in and water generously. Repeat every two months throughout the growing season.
Should you fertilize bird of paradise?
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.
Is Miracle Gro good for bird 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.
What fertilizer makes bird of paradise bloom?
If possible, use a fertilizer that's higher in phosphorus (the second number on the fertilizer label) than in nitrogen (the first number on the label). Phosphorus encourages flower development, whereas nitrogen encourages leaf growth, possibly at the expense of flower production.
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 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.
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.
Why is my bird 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.
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.
How often do birds of paradise get new leaves?
roughly one new leaf each monthThe speed of Bird of Paradise growth in good conditions can be seen with roughly one new leaf each month during the growing seasons. Visually this may not seem much, but the thick roots beneath the soil surface are truly monstrous and will fill a pot in no time, making this quite a fast growing plant.
Does bird of paradise like full sun?
Though they can tolerate medium light conditions, the Bird of Paradise will not thrive long-term without adequate sunlight, so we always recommend placing them in bright light.
Are bird of paradise acid loving plants?
Bird of paradise plants prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil. Look for soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
What is 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.
What does an overwatered bird of paradise look like?
If your plant is not receiving enough light, it is more susceptible to overwatering. Some indications that your plant could be overwatered are droopy leaves, excessive splitting, and browning edged leaves with a yellow line.
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.
Why are my bird of paradise leaves turning yellow?
Why are the leaves of your Bird of Paradise turning yellow or brown? If your Bird of Paradise is turning yellow or brown, the most common cause is over- or underwatering or not receiving enough sunlight. However, it could also result from pests or needing to be repotted into a larger container.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Light
The Bird of Paradise requires bright indirect light, and lots of it. These plants can grow to be very large, and they require a lot of light to bulk up. They also require a lot of light in order to flower indoors, which rarely happens!
Water
Allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry out before watering and when you do water, saturate the soil until excess water drains through the grow pot. Since this houseplant requires lots of bright light, that may cause the soil to dry out more quickly, so be prepared to water the plant more frequently.
Temperature
Comfortable temperatures between 65-85 degrees are good for Strelitzia Nicolai. As a tropical plant, the Bird of Paradise does not like to be cold, so if you bring the plant outdoors for the warmer months, get it back inside before the overnight lows dip below 60 degrees.
Humidity
The Strelitzia nicolai can live in average humidity, but increased humidity will help this plant thrive. Place the Bird of Paradise in an area that is naturally humid, or use a humidifier or a pebble tray with water to create the ideal environment.
Fertilizer
Fertilize using a diluted complete liquid fertilizer every other week during the growing season. The Bird of Paradise can grow somewhat quickly and providing additional nutrients can help the plant and reach its full potential.
Pro Tips
Splits may form in the leaves of the Bird of Paradise. It is thought that this happens in nature to help the plant sustain high winds. The splits can appear randomly, but they are completely normal and nothing to be concerned about.