Bird of Paradise!

From Bud to Flowering : Courtesy: Hundekar Home Garden,Bengaluru.

I am so happy to take this pics of first bloom of Bird of Paradise flowers in our home garden.I had planted 18 months back and it has borne the flowers for the first time.The experienced farmers who grow this exotic flower say that it usually takes 1-11/2 year to see the flowering.It has exactly taken that much time since i planted. The flowers are a visual treat if you have a garden in your home.

Facts About Birds of Paradise :

• Birds of Paradise are the mid-sized staples of tropical bouquets.
• Birds of Paradise need to be bound together, or supported in some way in larger vases and may bruise smaller flowers.
• Birds of Paradise are often thought of as the symbol of tropical flowers.
• Birds of Paradise are a medium-sized exotic blooms that instantly evoke palm trees, but do not last longer than a week.
• The name Birds of Paradise comes from the spectacular flower shape, which resembles a birds beak and head plumage.
• Because of the banana shaped leaves and other plant characteristics Birds of Paradise was classified in the banana family Musaceae.

Some More Popular Species of Birds of Paradise

Strelitzia alba/syn. S. augusta - White Birds of Paradise

Strelitzia caudata/Swaziland Strelitzia - African desert banana

Strelitzia nicolai - White, or Giant Birds of Paradise; Wild banana
Strelitzia reginae/S. parvifolia - Strelitzia, Birds of Paradise, or Crane lily.

Growing Birds of Paradise :

The soil around Birds of Paradise plant needs to be kept moist all spring and summer but should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering in the fall and winter.

• Try to avoid temperatures below 50 degrees. Birds of Paradise need indoor temperatures.
• Feed your Birds of Paradise every other week during spring and summer with a liquid such as Schultz's Instant Plant Food or a water-soluble fertilizer such as Bachman's Excel-Gro, and a quality peat-based potting soil.
• Cut back to once a month in fall and winter.
• A quality peat-based potting soil such as Bachman's Exceloam is perfect for the Birds of Paradise plant.
• When Birds of Paradise plants are young and actively growing, repot them every spring so that they have plenty of room.
• As the Birds of Paradise mature (and have bloomed for a year or two), they can be carefully divided. Remember that this will keep the plant from blooming again for several years! Birds of Paradise are also propagated from seed.

Birds of Paradise Plant Care

• The Bird of Paradise does require a good amount of sunlight.
• Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system for the Birds of Paradise.
• Watering can be reduced after establishment.
• Feed Birds of Paradise plants with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.
• Floral preservative for Birds of Paradise is recommended and is available commercially.