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Strelitzia Nicolai / Bird of Paradise

mariegalaxymariegalaxy Posts: 29
in Problem solving


I'm still having problems with this houseplant...Had it just over a month now. 

It is three plants that have been potted together by the shop for a fuller effect. The leaves that have the yellowing and big brownish areas are all from just one out of the three which is puzzling me. Surely if a case of under or overwatering all three would be effected. 

It's in a 27cm pot and I water it once a week or slightly longer if the top soil still feels damp. Last time I gave it 600ml and just a little came out of the bottom, which I drained off. And I've been giving it a little mist each day.

Wondering if I should cut the effected leaves at the base or take that one out altogether...
Help appreciated! Thanks 

Posts

  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    I'm going to disagree  :) . That pot is absolutely fine for a BoP (and yes you're right, most BoP are actually multiple plants together). If I get a moment, I'll post a photo of my 10ft nicolai in a pot approximately the same size as yours. You should keep a BoP in a small pot, and wait for it to "climb out" before potting on, although I personally would split the plants up sooner rather than later. 

    Are you sure you have a nicolai? It looks like a reginae. Nicolai grow absolutely massive and look slightly different, but if you do have a nicolai and repot it, be prepared for about 5 feet of growth a year (as in, each new leaf will exponentially grow the plant larger).

    If your photo shows its usual location, that's the cause of the damage. BoP need humidity and lots of light, but not direct sunshine. It's too dry and dark in the current position.

    In the summer you should let it almost dry out but not fully, water and drain thoroughly (don't allow it to stand in water), feed it weekly with seaweed. In winter, reduce watering so that it dries out just before watering, feed once every 6 to 8 weeks with a weak seaweed feed. Always try to water with rainwater, just like a camellia. Mist all the leaves, top and bottom, and the trunk, regularly (several times a week), and if you have it indoors in the winter keep it away from central heating and mist it more.

    And wait 7 years for a flower  ;)
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    Personally I wouldn't repot it now, I'd wait until spring if repotting is something the original poster wants to do. The fresh nutrients will kick off new growth and new leaf spikes just as we head into winter. As the weather gets colder, central heating goes on (air dries out), and light levels drop, the problem will just get compounded.
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