Help for Desert Bird of Paradise trees

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
yakitiyak Llano, TX Jun 16, 2009

I need to find someone who is Very knowledgeable on the Desert Bird of Paradise, Yellow Bird of Paradise in Texas.
We are in the hill country, granite gravel type 'soil' mostly. My 3 Bird of Paradise have grown to about 4 - 5 ft. tall and weathered 2 winters alright. Problem is they bloom in Early Spring very nicely and now (mid-June) have quit blooming and have many seed pods, plus the leaves look very pale. They get full sun from about 10 am to about 5 pm and then partial. I have fed them (& sprayed) fish emulsion. Also feed them a Hibiscus food that is 10-4-12. Try to give a good soaking at least once a week.
Help?

Post #6695330
Quote
trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Jun 16, 2009

you can cut the seedpods off and a lot of times that will induce the plant to bloom more. as far as the yellowing leaves, once they are established (and yours should be), they are drought tolerant and a good soaking once a week is too much, imho.

Post #6695357
Quote
Jun 17, 2009

Yakitiyak,
We're in Central Texas and have two desert willows. They do not like fertilizer, and being a desert plant, don't like too much water. Your soil is ideal for the willows, and if you remove the seed pods, you will get more bloom.
Back off on the watering and stop fertilizing, and I think you will see a great improvement, although not immediately. The trees need to recover from all that TLC! We have made the same mistake with "desert" plants. Our Golden Ball Lead Tree nearly died from too much attention!

Post #6700349
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP