bird of pardise

Hi, does anyone grow bird of paradise? Mine are potted but are really growing slow.Can any one give me some help?

I just planted one last week, but know next to nothing, so can't help ya, I'll watch what's posted though...

Oriole, if they are from seeds it takes up to 7 years to bloom.They grow slow when young then take off after the first year or two and grow quickly.Keep pot bound (within reason) and water sparingly.They hate to be wet.Feed every month in summer and not in our winters.They bloom from Aug. to April as a rule..but may bloom all year.The more leaves they have the more buds will form. I bought 3 4 inch pots of them at Home Depot last year (2003) and one is in bloom now..but it was kept growing all year in a greenhouse.the other two are still smaller because they were dormant most of the winter.

Kyle, should one ever trim the BOP? Mine are still blooming. I think it was Clare that told me to water them during our hot dry summers to keep them flowering.

and they are HEAVY feeders.... feed feed feed

Cala only trim the older leaves when they get rough looking.More leaves mean more flowers.Guess what I'm getting soon.......this BOP Juncea the reed stemmed form

I like that one! Here I thought I was doing good with the big orange/blue one and the giant white one!

Thanks everone. Mine were small potted plants,suppose to br 1 yr old. My daughter picked them up for me at the Phila. flower in March. Maybe i went up to too large a pot. I have been feeding good, but sure Iam using too much water. I will try all these tips.