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Bird of Paradise
billiejeanlewis
Posts: 2
Hi have bird of paradise and flowers started to bloom then started turning n going sticky. Was small black substance on leaves? Wiped them clean n treated with provado ultimate bug killer??
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Posts
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) , although originating from S.Africa , do appreciate being placed outside in the UK summer .
A warm bright and airy location is preferable ; this should solve what sounds like sooty-mould on your plant . A fungicidal treatment would be more useful than a bug-killer . I have treated similar plants by gently cleaning the leaves with a mild soap solution .
Hi Paul and thanks. What fungicidal do you recommend and do I cut back the dead flower?
You could try SB, availabe from Amazon,
Very diluted tepid-bleach*solution is often just as effective as manufactured fungicides and insecticides ; wear gloves though to gently wash the leaves ; and yes , the dead flowers can be cut back when finished . Alternatively , Bayer make a product called Fungus Fighter (from garden centre).
* Bleach is a very potent fungicide , insecticide and viricide (in fact it will control almost anything)! Don't make too strong a solution though . Good luck !