How to Remove Bloomed Birds of Paradise
The bird of paradise, scientific name Strelitzia reginae, grows best in warm, tropical or semi-tropical areas, or as an indoor plant. The attractive blooms, that resemble the head and beak of a bird, are what give this unusual-looking flower its name. The blooms are long-lasting, but once they have died, it is best to remove them, to preserve the overall appearance of the plant. They can also be cut when they have just opened up and displayed in the house. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Dead Blooms
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Check the plant carefully for any dead blooms. Bird of paradise flowers last a long time, so make sure the flowers are dead before you trim them.
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Grab the stalk to be trimmed about halfway up. Bend it out away from the plant, but not so far that it breaks.
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Cut the stalk with a quick, clean cut from your pruning shears about 3 or 4 inches from the ground. A clean cut is better for the plant, as the cut will heal faster and is less likely to attract bacteria or other unwanted organisms.
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Remove the cut stalk from the area. Leaving decaying plant matter is unsightly, plus it can spread disease to the living plant. Repeat the process, cutting and removing any additional dead blooms from the plant.
Live Blooms
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Grip the stalk of the flower to be cut about halfway down. Pull it slightly away from the plant. Don't squeeze too hard or pull it too far, as you can damage the plant if you do.
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Make a clean cut with the pruning shears, cutting about 3 or 4 inches from the ground. Clean the shears before you use them, to minimize the possibility of disease transmission.
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Place the ends of the stalks in water as soon as they are cut. This helps the blooms to live longer.
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Add preservative solution to the water in the vase where the flowers will be displayed. This increases how long they will last.
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Hold the stalks under water in the vase, one at a time, and trim the bottom inch off of each stalk. This improves the flower's ability to take up water and nutrients.
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Tips & Warnings
Bird of paradise blooms last about two weeks when cut. They will last the longest if you don't place the vase on a TV, refrigerator or other warm spot.
Don't keep cut flowers near ripening fruit, especially apples, as the gas released by the fruit will speed the decay process of the flowers, significantly shortening their lifespan.
References
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