The bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae) is of tropical origin, specifically from Baja California (Mexican state). It is especially striking for the colors of its only flower, known as the flower of paradise. As an exotic plant, it requires a series of basic care to grow and enjoy good health, since otherwise it is impossible for it to develop correctly and reproduce.
Aspects such as temperature, light, frequency of irrigation, fertilizer and the location of the plant condition its well-being. In addition, knowing the methods to transplant and reproduce it are cares that also deserve dedication time. To discover how to care for the bird of paradise plant, keep reading this new oneHOWTO article and learn everything about this beautiful ornamental plant.
What light and temperature does the bird of paradise plant need
Light and temperature are two of the strelitzia care essential for their health and growth. Considering that it is of tropical origin, the bird of paradise needs great lighting to flourish and develop. In total, you will need 3 or 4 hours of direct sunlight to flourish and grow.
For this reason, it does not adapt to areas with very low temperatures and severe frosts. The ideal temperature of the bird of paradise plant, or the bird flower plant as it is also known, ranges between 12 orC and 25 orC.
If you live in areas with more extreme climates, you may also consider growing resistant plants. In our article 15 heat and cold resistant outdoor plants we give you some ideas.
Where to locate the bird of paradise plant
For locate the bird of paradise inside the house, you must consider the needs of light and temperature that it has. As it requires a good dose of lighting, the best area to plant it is in the garden or where it can be in contact with the sun near an internal window. Avoid placing it in dark rooms or areas with a lot of shade.
In territories with especially harsh winters, whose temperatures are below 5 orC, it is essential to plant it indoors so that it remains protected from the cold.
Discover here more varieties of indoor and outdoor plants to grow a beautiful garden with the best ideas and tips.
How to water the bird of paradise plant
The watering the bird of paradise plant It is another of the basic cares to cover if you want it to be healthy and flourish. It is a plant that constantly requires humidity. Still, the amount of water should be very moderate: find the perfect balance so that the substrate remains slightly wet, but without puddling.
With these premises, a watering frequency daily or every other day in the summer months. In winter, allow more time between waterings (approximately every 72 hours).
Birds of paradise are excellent plants to keep in the garden, discover which are the best plants for outdoor and choose the best companions for your bird of paradise.
How to fertilize the bird of paradise plant
The best fertilizer for bird flower is one that is rich in potassium and nitrogen, since it brings great benefits in its development and flowering. Magnesium is also very positive so that it shows bright and intense colors in its leaves, which bloom between autumn and late spring from 5 years of age.
Resorting to fertilizers in the plant’s compost process has a positive impact on the flower: apply them every 15 days. It is very important to do it in the pre-flowering stage of the bird flower plant so that it has the expected effect at the time of flowering.
How to transplant the bird of paradise plant
Spring is the best season for transplant the bird of paradise. You need an annual transplant until you are 5 years old. After this time, you should only remove 3 cm from the top of the substrate in summer and change them for a new mix.
Before the incognito of when can the bird of paradise be transplantedWe recommend doing it in early spring to avoid doing it just before the warmer months of the year. You will need a pot a little larger than the previous one and increase the size with each transplant until you reach one of 30 cm in diameter. Follow these steps to transplant it without damaging the roots:
- In order not to cause damage to the roots, try to extract the root ball with special care, that is, the mass of earth stuck in the roots so that it can be transplanted.
- Remove the pieces of soil caught in the roots with your hands.
- Take the new pot and prepare the substrate mixture. We recommend using manure mulch and coarse sand to provide good drainage. This way, you will prevent it from puddling easily.
- Finish the process by planting the bird of paradise in the new pot.
How to reproduce the bird of paradise plant
The last thing you need to know about caring for the bird of paradise plant is the keys to its reproduction. As with transplantation, best time to breed is early spring.
The bird of paradise is a plant that produces children, which means that it generates more than one bud on its sides. From a single plant you can take two or more to grow separately. Follow these instructions so that the bird of paradise plant reproduces and you can have many more flowers in your garden or home:
- Take a sucker from the plant and place it in a new container. Do it with a shovel: nail the mat vertically and deeply. Thus, you can lift it later without damaging the roots of the plant.
- Water abundantly the plant planted in the new pot and also water the rest of the plant, but without waterlogging.
- Keep your full attention on the state of the separated plants as they reproduce.
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