How to Flower a Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise (also known as crane flower) is an exotic plant native to South Africa. It usually reaches a height of 4 feet and has thick, glossy leaves shaped like those of a small banana plant. The leaves are attractive--but it is the flowers, which resemble the colorful plumage and beak of a bird, that are especially prized. They emerge from long scapes, or stems, that can grow to 5 feet in height. Each flower consists of three bright orange sepals and three blue petals sitting like a crown atop a long purplish-blue spathe. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Give the plant a location in as much sunlight as possible. One of the main reasons a bird of paradise is not blooming well is because it is not getting enough light.
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Keep the soil most all spring and summer. During the fall and winter, allow it to dry out slightly between waterings.
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Feed every other week during spring and summer with a complete plant food. No food is required in fall or winter. Don't overfertilize or it will cause the plant to send out new foliage at the expense of flowers.
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Give the plant a daily misting in the dry winter months, if needed. Bird of paradise prefers humidity of about 60 percent. It also prefers a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees during the day and 50 to 55 degrees at night.
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Keep the bird of paradise outdoors all the time, if you live in a warm climate. In cold climates, it must be kept indoors in the winter but will enjoy summering outside as long as it is gradually acclimatized to stronger light.
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Repot the plant annually in the spring, as long as it is young and actively growing. When it reaches a height of about 3 feet, just replace the soil at the top. Bird of paradise flowers best if left slightly potbound.
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Use an all-purpose well-draining potting mix or soil-less potting mix. Don't plant too deeply, as exposure of the roots' tops promotes blooming.
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Be patient. Bird of paradise plants are slow-growing and don't start to bloom until they are 4 to 5 years old. Although a mature plant can be divided, dividing will prevent the plant from blooming again for several years.
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