Anyone have any good tips on keeping my BofP happy in the house? I have had it now for going on three years....it does fine, and appears health however the leaves tend to break off after they reach a few months in age.
I have tried staking them and tieing them to a trellis, but they still bow/crease/break. The poor thing is always in a state of regrowth. Right now I have four beautiful leaves on it, and wonder just how long those will last :-(
Any tips for a good trellis or support design for plants like this?
Indoor care of my Giant Bird of Paradise
RikerBear -
I haven't done this - but why not put a hoop around it: several round horizontal loops at different heights, attached to vertical spikes.? The loops could be something soft, that wouldn't sharply ciontact the leaves, maybe a green cloth? With several levels of retainer the leaves might not bend.
Peter
Hmmmm....not sure gow much that would distract from the look of the plant, but hey it's gotta be better than broken and bent leaves.
Thanks for the suggestion
Marc
I guess that the trick is to find innocuous twine. If you try it, let me know or send a picture.
I guess it is always a challenge growing things that belong in their natural state, inside our homes. For example, I love my Vesuvius Abutilon. It has given us 2 enormous flushes of bloom, and beautiful new leaves since i brought it in about late October. But the branches get lower . . .and lower .. . and lower ... so I am about to stake them, just because their spread is about 6 feet and draping all the furniture!
Peter
I did have one in the house for 4 yrs, huge leaves with splits in them but never did bloom so I gave it away, but when the leaves got heavy I put a small hook in the wall right behind it and attached some green wire around it, didn't even show it was there.
I've tried the wire and hook trick, but the leaf eventually bent, creased, and broke.
I'm gonna try a new trellis design based on the old standard tomato cage.....gonna make it out of copper wire (lg gauge) since it will show I want it to be purdy too :-)
I'll send a pic once I get around to actually making it.
Marc
They have two GIANT BOP's at our local library and there isn't anything holding up those leaves..... I'll look more closely next time and see if I can identify their secret........
Oh please do.....I would be curious as to how the leaves remain strong enough to hold themselves up.
Might give me a clue as to what I am doing wrong...........
Marc
Riker how about some florist wire, like they use in arrangements, fasten to lower part of leaf then put it very close to back of the leaf for support, all the way to the top, you may have to twist two strips together for strength.
I'll keep that in mind too.....thanks :-)
I have been wondering, since you first posted this question, Riker, whether it could be a fertility issue. Would a high phosphate and/or potash fertilizer help firm up the fibrous tissues of the leaves, while reduced nitrogen would slow the overall growth and allow for a firmer leaf? Also, would it matter how strong the light is?
Peter
Hmmm....I have not once considered a nutritional factor in this. You could very well be correct Peter. They have to be stronger in nature to withstand 'nature' :-)....makes sence I should be able to produce a similarly strong plant with proper conditions ofcourse.
I will do a bit of research in that area and let ya know what if anything I can find.
Thanks for making me think....ouch!
Marc
I'll be watching for your results, Marc.
Take care,
Peter
Marc, I'm watching this post too, my BoP so far is small and doing not too badly, but I'm not ready for any trouble, so I'm learning vicariously through you.
Linda
Well good Linda......
What I've researched so far is that my problem is indeed more than likely nutrition. When I have more time I'll post the links to the sites I found that talk about proper fertiilizer/feeding and proper soil.
Marc
P.S. Thanks Peter for semding me in the right direction.
Okay, so what I've learned is I am not feeding mine enough, nor am I giving it adequate light. The two sites I found recommend 10-20-10 monthly and full sun to partial shade conditions.
I have only been using compost tea now and again, and have mine in a filtered light arae of a not so bright room.
I will be starting a new regiment of feeding this weekend and will also be moving it to my bright atrium.
Will let you all know how this changes it's condition as time passes.
Thanks again Peter for spotting the 'real' problem with my plant.
Marc
Marc, I am really happy that I could help. Nurse this guy bird back to health, then you can periodically put her in a showy place elsewhere in the house! I'll be watching for follow-ups.
Peter
Marc, I have mine in my deck/GH, that is about 10*c 50*F, and it gets indirect sunlight, but I do have a 1000w buld that I have for about 5-6 hours a day. I also feed it 20-20-20 a weak mix, a small amount, monthly.
Linda
Sounds good Linda....the 50*F might be a tad cool for it. All if read state 65 is the coolest they like, but the heat from your 1000w bulb shoud help offset that some I would think.
OK, I'll move it closer to the light. it's in the almost back row of plants, and I'll move it to the front. About hte collest it gets in there is 50F, but frequently during the days, it's up to 60-70F. It's looks OK, has a couple of yellow spots in the mid region of the leaf, but doesn't seem to be gaining or losing ground, so for this time of year, I'm satisfied with it. One the other hand, my brugs , most are starting to put out new growth, so there's hope that spring is close.
Linda
I have had a blue and red Bird of Paradise for ten years in a large 24" pot. Its big about 7 feet tall in the pot. I would say the leaves are about 5 ft long. It winters inside in front of a south facing patio door in my living room.
I have only had problems with broken leaves when I move it outside in the summer.
Usually the winter inside growth will snap in heavy winds. The summer growth is pretty tough not a problem. I does flower around New Years for me I get one to 2 flowers. It takes a long time for birds to flower at leat 5 years and they need to be root bound.
Since this guy is getting so big I am giving it to my friends in Cape Coral Fl. to plant outside. I would like to replace it with one of the new dwarf cultivars I have heard about. I have found seeds but I don't want to wait 7 years for it to bloom! So anyone out there know of a domestic supplier of a dwarf bird of paradise?
Bird of Paradise are heavy feeders and require full sun to do well. Your week stems are due to weak growth. I have had my plants for years and I feed them with miracle grow every watering. You should not let them sit in water or they will rot. They like to be watered deeply and should be allowed to dry out a lil before watering again. They like tight containers and really should only be repotted when they break their current container if you want them to bloom. I am getting ready to do this with one that just burst it's pot this winter. Fertilizing should also help strengthen existing growth.
Thanks cwby....my plan is to do a much better job of fertilizing (but not MG)....and get it moved to better lighting.
I'll keep you all posted on how it reacts.
Marc
cwby and RikerBear..... I've haven't fertilized my BOP since repotting.... seems all the repotting instructions say wait 4 months..... should I go ahead and start fertilizing my BOP..... I have one that has grown new leaves and they seem to be doing well but if I can help them do better I'll break out the Miracle grow...... Should I give the suggested mix or dilute the fertilizer for the first few times.....
I haven't researched enough to be able to answer your question. Hopefully cwby will have an answer for you / us.
Just found 3 more BOP's at Lowe's..... 5.88...... I thought it was a pretty good find...... I'm going to go ahead a repot them and use them to experiment a little...... I'll try one with some Miracle Grow and one without and see if I should immediately start feeding all my BOP's.....
Are you having better luck with yours now RikerBear.... ? Can I ask why not MG ..... ? what do you use....?
I haven't noticed much difference yet, but it's still early.
I don't use Miracle Grow as it contains way to many checmical salts that can in time cause more problems with the health of a plant. I prefer a more natural approach....alfalfa and compost teas, and fish emulsion now and again (once I can move them outside onto the patio)....the smell is less than pretty for indoors.
Marc, I agree 100% on not using salts to fertilize.
I have my own recipe and use nothing else besides working alfalfa chaff into the soil once a year.
Your BOP just sounds like it is suffering from the winter blahs. Low light and other changes when brought indoors, promotes weak growth.
I believe in cutting fert in 1/2 for the winter months and with hold all foods from mid Dec to Feb to give them a rest.
They need less food & water while not actively growing. Around mid Feb you should notice an increase in growth and then slowly return them to their regular program.
In the wild all plants take some type of break during the short daylight and cooler days. Allowing this will make them reward you 2 fold in the summer.
*COME ON SPRING !*
Scooterbug what is that growing on your trellis? That is such a neat picture. I love it.
Thank You 2pd,
That is an air potato vine
Dioscorea bulbifera
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/29580/
This message was edited Feb 16, 2005 11:10 AM
One more thing for my list of wants........ although looks like the folks in Florida aren't that fond of it ...... I have no doubt the Kansas winter would keep it from becoming invasive......
Thanks scooterbug for posting the pics
Thanks Scooter....I will follow you advice. :-)
Marc
how about putting a small fan blowing on it ?
since its in the house and not getting hit by the wind
to make it stronger. just a idea and a guess.
I do have the ceiling fan on in the atrium where it is....but thanks for the suggestion. :-)