She finally bloomed. I've had this plant for several years and no flower until now.
Isn't she gorgeous?
My pretty Bird
O K, fly-girl, what did you to make that beautiful bird bloom? I have had my BOP, for 30 yrs, and never a bloom! Mine are in a big container, and just beautiful greenery, never a flower. I got it in Houston, back in the 70's, and babied it, until I am about to my ropes end! I would be grateful for any advice! Thanks, Krispi
LOL Krispi.....I'm not very good at fertilizing regularly, I usually think of it at 10pm and then forget the next day. So, I bought this liquid concentrate at Lowe's that you put in a hose end sprayer with a dial (it's a special sprayer for liquids not dry). It was so easy, no mixing, measuring, no hassle, so I would find myself doing it once a week. I guess that's what did it, not really sure. But I also have a Plumeria that's getting ready to bloom and it's never bloomed before either.
Hey all- Fly, very pretty!
My grandfather had 'birds' all over the place in Calif. I have 3 that I have had for several years. Split some off years ago for my daughter and a neighbor.. I have planted them in full sun and also in nearly full shade. They are pretty drought tolerent and really don't require much fertilizer; however, I love to fertilize and tend to over do often. Several of mine are blooming now as well- just love them, not only are they pretty but they make me think of my grandfather- probably my most favorite person!
Krispi: Here are my suggestions- you might try repotting, dividing- they are bulb type plants, not sure if they qualify as bulbs- so that you have more plants- I don't know how big they are but surely after all these years they must have become massive. Put them in decent soil w/ a good fertilizer- I always use Osmocote when I plant anything. If you have extras try a few different things, try planting some in the ground somewhere, if you have room. Based on my experience would suggest at least part shade, maybe afternoon/late afternoon shade, but my daughter's is in full sun and blooms well. Water regularly, but don't overwater. Mine get lot's of fertilizer more because of what they are planted near so you may want to start them on a regular feeding program. I think they tend to like being pot bound so don't pot them in too large a pot. The smaller ones that you divide off may bloom next summer if you can get them planted now and fertilize well. I don't fertilize in the winter but my last fertilizing of the season I use a balanced fertilizer that IS NOT TIME RELEASED. As soon as there is no risk of frost I start fertilizing because I am that way. Also might use some Superthrive for a bit when you divide, repot or plant. Don't baby them, they are really pretty tough! Hope some of my suggestions help. I know how frustrating non blooming plants can be!
Thanks Krispi and April!
I had read they like to be root bound if in a pot. I love the blue part, there's just not too much blue in the garden, at least around here.
What do you mean you split some off...divided?
Mine gets full sun, but it's in a gravelly loamy soil, which is probably good in the winter because it drains well.
Blue Mist is a good plant for a blue color and butterflies LOVE it. Mine has just finally started blooming so I should have some seeds later this year.
Always wondered what soil that is gravelly loamy would be like. I bought a BOP at Houston Garden Center in early August, '06 that had a flower on it. Brought it home, threw some Expert Gardener (time release) on it and continued to water it well. It rewarded me w/2 more blooms that are just now fading and sent up another flower stalk. I really think the watering was what did it. Well, maybe the fertilizer helped, too. It is in full sun. Needless to say it goes well w/the tall ruellas, cosmos, Pride of Barbados and the ixora I finally broke down and bought at hubbie's suggestion. Never would have thought a purple, orange and yellow garden could be beautiful but at least "I" think it is. So bright and cheerful - kind of cottagey tropical controlled chaos. Edited to say I've never encountered seeds on all the BOP I've raised all these years. Had to leave my other 2 big stands in Victoria when we moved back to HOU. That picture of the BOP above is not like my BOP. Looks exactly like my plumerias. The BOP sends up a rolled leaf-looking thing that (if it is a flower stalk) is reddish tipped, if light colored at the tip is a leaf.
Ann
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LOL Ann, the soil is by a path that used to have pea gravel on it and over the years it got kicked into the soil, and I have mixed in compost, so that's why I called it gravelly loamy. Real technical huh?
Purple orange and yellow sound pretty to me too.
That would be hard to leave them.
Do you have pics of them?
Rena....I've never tried the blue mist, I'll have to get some, thanks.
Fly they get really big at the bottom as they multiply. You can dig tem up & split thrm apart like you would any bulb. Suggest after they bloom so as not to interfer w/ blooming.
Fly Girl, I don't have the technical knowledge to post a picture. My Jim does but he is busy 9/10ths of the time and I really hate to ask him because he is so tech minded I would have endure a 30 minute lecture on the whole thing
Fly Girl, I don't have the technical knowledge to post a picture. My Jim does but he is busy 9/10ths of the time and I really hate to ask him because he is so tech minded I would have endure a 30 minute lecture on the whole thing.
I have divided my BOP but the "bulbs?" are HEAVY and interlocked.
Also, I read someplace (can't remember where now) that a BOP should have either 5 or 7 leaves per "bulb" in order to bloom. I have found that to be true. Any fewer and it doesn't have the strength or maturity to bloom.
Ann
I know what you mean Ann, my dh is a cyclist (bicycle) and if he's in the garage I have to be careful on my questions or make sure I'm not in a hurry. One time I aske him why he changed his intertube. I got a 30 minute lecture on all the specs of an intertube. I would have been happy with....'It was flat' LOL.
Then that's why it bloomed, it has about 10 leaves, guess it had nothing to do with my fert schedule or lack of.
Thanks April and Ann for the division info.
Fly, welcome to that club. Mine was a chemist before he retired some 16 yrs ago but he's never gotten over that fact. I think it can all be summed up w/one word - - - MEN
Ann
Oh yeah, my husband is a computer geek, at least that's what I think it says on his office door, LOL. When I ask why such and such doesn't work or why this or that is happening I get 30 minutes of super technical explanations that mean nothing to me. My eyes glaze over after about 2 minutes but he doesn't seem to notice. He might as well be speaking some ancient lost language! I have tried to explain that it is way over my head but that doesn't help- he tells me that someone who uses a computer as much as I have/do should understand how this or that works! I have tried to ask for the abreviated version, but apparently my husband lacks the genetic make-up to be able to do that!
Hey, girls, Thanks for the advice on my BOP. I am going to replace the dirt, and get it on a feeding program, who knows, I could have a Miracle! My cousin who lives on the other side of Canyon Lake, has 2 BOP,s and hers bloom every winter, she told me all she does is beat the heck out of hers with last years flowers stalks, and it never fails to bloom! I am about ready to kick the heck out of mine! LOL My plant is root bound, and has the necessary number of leaves, just a beautiful plant, maybe it is a male! Anyway, I will keep you girls posted as to my progress. Thanks, Krispi
Good luck Krispi! Why don't you put it in the ground? I don't know if that would help, just a thought.
Okay, sorry everyone...one more pic...it has more orange petals. This has to be the last of the show, what else can it do.....spread wings and fly? LOL
You would and will be surprised at how many times the flower keeps coming from that particular flower head - sometimes seems forever and then that turns brown and the stem starts turning brown and that is when you cut off the flower stalk so that it might shoot up some more flower stalks.
Beautiful images!
Ann
They are really pretty aren't they? I have seen the giant one, w/ white flower, but years ago seems I found a purple one! It was for sale on a web, dang I wish I'd bought it, I am one that if I like a plant I figure I should have one of every color. Have not been able to find it again, the plant was same size as these regular sized. It was striking!
Oh, I would love to see and own a purple one!
I have been looking and looking. If I stumble across it again I will let you know. Pretty sure, if I remember right it was purple and orange.
Get 2 and I'll pay you back!
If it was Ebay, who knows if it was real.
I will for sure. I am pretty sure it wasn't on ebay and there was a gorgeous photo of it. Will continue looking and if successful will send you my bill or let you take me out for gelato!
Oh Wow! I'm just now seeing your beautiful bird. That is gorgeous! Don't think I've ever seen one as pretty.
Okay April, you've got a deal!
Thanks Dancey!
What a stunning flower and plant! Congratulations!
Thanks Sylvia!
just copied this regarding dividing bird of paradise, thought it might help;
Dividing the two plants is easy, once you have removed it from the pot. The roots are very thick and fleshy, so be careful, but don't be nervous, the plant is pretty tough. Try to seperate the roots coming from each division, and carefully cut between the two sections, with a CLEAN, sharp knife. It is advisable to then dust the cuts with a rooting hormone, such as 'Roottone'. Cut off any of the roots that may have been badly damaged during the operation. Repot each section in a sterile pot, using a good commercial potting soil. Keep in mind that Bird of paradise blooms best when it is rootbound, so keep the pots as small as is feasible. Do not water the plants for 2-3 days to give the cuts a chance to 'callous' over, and then only water moderately.
Give 'em a shot of all purpose fertilizer next spring, and watch them go. With luck, they will be blooming again in a year.