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Strelitzia Nicolai/Bird of Paradise Marks and Crinkling

mariegalaxymariegalaxy Posts: 29
in Problem solving
I have ended up with a Strelitzia (it was actually mislabeled but thought I'd keep it). Only had it about three weeks. Been watering once a week. I let it drain through just a little and don't let it sit in water. Some of the leaves are going brown/black, crinkling on the ends, some have tiny brown marks, others still have developed large black/brown sections in the middle of the leaves. I've read mixed information as to whether it's being overwatered or under. It lives in a fairly bright room but away from the window. Please help!

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    When was it last repotted, as that pot doesn't seem particularly large for the size of the plant. They do like to be confined in a pot but maybe it has run out of goodness in its compost which is weakening the plant. Mine is much smaller and has been loving its life on a bright windowsill but those dry leaf marks would probably relate to a too dry atmosphere. If you have a mister maybe give it a squirt every couple of days and see how it responds. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    You've got more than 1 plant there  :) . If you're certain it's a nicolai you'll need to split and repot them into very free draining, loamy compost, each one can grow to 30ft+ . But looking at the leaf arrangement I don't think you have a nicolai. 

    The crinkled leaves is a sign of under watering when the leaf stem went up. If you've only had the plant a couple of weeks it's quite possible the damage was done before you got it.

    The burn marks and crispy tips are usually caused by direct sun. On one of your photos it looks like the leaf edges are curled in, this is because it's in air/atmosphere that's too dry and it got too hot - exactly as @amancalledgeorge says, you need to mist it regularly (and even more regularly when your central heating goes on).

    They need bright, airy, humid conditions to be at their best. Direct sun, low light, dry air will all negatively affect them.

    Water sparingly in the winter, let the compost pretty much dry out then give it a soak. Let the water drain through, never let it sit in water. Repot in spring, seaweed feed in summer once a week if you don't repot to fresh compost or once a month if you do repot. Enjoy!
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