Re: Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) takes a long time to bloom from seed.
If grown in a sub-tropical climate, they take 3-5 years to bloom.  If you
grow them as a house plant, I'd expect a minimum of five years.  They tend
to be pretty large plants when mature enough to flower.  Give it all the
light and heat you can, especially during the winter.  Water when it gets
slightly dry; don't keep it soggy during the winter or it may rot.
Fertilize about once a month with something like Miracle-Gro at the rate
of
1 tbsp. per gallon of water and give it a goodly amount of this water mix
but be sure it drains away so that the pot isn't in standing water
anytime.

Kawika

"Dwayne Young" <dyoung244@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:4cQVg.1921$gL.1548@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I actually have a Bird of Paradise growing and surviving in NC - albeit,
> it's in doors!
>
> It's been grown from seed beginning in April of 2005.  It now is green
and
> leafy - 7-8 leaves.
>
> What is the normal growth rate and what will encourage blooming?
>
> Thanks for the help.
>
>