The white bird of paradise plant is mostly grown for its large leaves and upright growing stalk. Simply wipe the leaves with a soft cloth or warm, soapy water. How to Grow Bird of Paradise. Where should I trim? It's not just about pruning safety; the gloves will help you grip your pruning shears and will also help you gain a better grip on the thick, unwieldy bird-of-paradise stalks that can be almost 2 feet long and 6 inches wide. I've got 3 Bird of Paradise plants in my apartment. I receive so many questions here, on my videos and via email. When a bird lands on the top of the flower crown, its weight opens the petals and the exposed pollen may stick to a bird's breast. at the base? Its broad, arching leaves make a dramatic, graceful statement in your home. Bird of paradise grows in compact clumps 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Bird of paradise forms clumps 5 to 6 feet tall with showy orange and blue blooms that resemble the heads of exotic birds extending above large, leathery, evergreen leaves. I decided to start a segment called “Ask Nell” because you all might have the same questions and/or be interested in the answers. Regardless, ideal bird of paradise growing conditions both indoors and out remain the same: bright light, well-drained soil and adequate water through the growing season. and how long will it take for the leaves to grow back? I've got 3 Bird of Paradise plants in my apartment. Always wear gloves when trying to prune a bird-of-paradise. (It's away from all my other plants, thank heavens). The plant produces stems that grow in a clump. I just bought a Giant Bird of Paradise plant and I need to trim some of the leaves off of it. Thanks Nat Birds of paradise are large, relatively easy to grow plants that lend a bold tropical flair to any indoor space. Put on a pair of garden gloves. How to Grow Bird of Paradise Strelitzia. I just noticed a few minutes ago that one has mealybugs on the leaves. It was so exotic and bizarre that I took some time to … White bird of paradise forms giant clumps. If you'll take a close look at first picture you'll see a stem of one leaf bent/broken (in front of upper right corner of middle section of the window). I didn't know these plants were susceptible to mealybugs or many pests overall. If you start growing these in the colder season, you’re more than likely going to be growing bird of paradise strelitzia indoors.These plants need to be placed in a bright, warm spot where they can receive partial or full sunlight. How to Take Care of Birds of Paradise Outside. The flower does, in fact, resemble a water bird. An evergreen perennial , it is widely cultivated for its dramatic flowers. How to Take Excellent Care of a White Bird of Paradise. Bird of paradise propagation is not difficult and is most easily achieved by plant division. Birds of paradise are susceptible to scale, mealy bugs, and spider mites, but these pests are easy to spot and address. Atop the "head" is a brilliant orange fanned crest -- the petioles of the flower. It has a slender blue neck and head and a long, pointed blue beak. Birds of paradise are pollinated with the help of birds, often sunbirds, that transfer the pollen. Strelitzia / s t r ɛ ˈ l ɪ t s i ə / is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa.It belongs to the plant family Strelitziaceae. Thinning White Bird of Paradise. Native to South Africa, the bird of paradise flower, also known as the crane flower, is a tropical plant that bears bird-like and very vivid flowers at the top of very sturdy stalks. I don't want to cut off all the broken leaves and then it take a long time for them to grow back... help please!!! Propagating bird of paradise is a common practice that does not require any special skills or tools and may be helpful should the fear of winter survival be imminent. My best friend's dad had a small greenhouse in our home in northern New Mexico, one of the last climates you would ever expect to see a bird of paradise. It's hard to imagine a more exotic flower than the tall bird of paradise, sometimes called the crane plant. at the base? I just bought a Giant Bird of Paradise plant and I need to trim some of the leaves off of it. Leaves grow off the stem to create a fan. Thanks Nat But the main concern is not the bending itself, but the bending to the point of breaking the stem. For thick stalks, a small tree saw works well.