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Help with plant ID, and a root problem please?
bjazz28
Posts: 71
Hello,
I got this plant last summer and I didn't make a note of the name of it, (regular bad habit!). And so I was wondering if anyone could tell me the name of it please, because then I might get to the bottom of another issue I'm having with it?
Earlier this year I noticed that the compost in the pot seemed to be moving, and that the plant itself seemed to be titling in the pot, so I readjusted it and thought nothing of it.
Then last week the compost seemed as though it was being pushed up and the plant had moved again, and so I decided that perhaps it needed re-potting.
Today when I lifted it out to re-pot it, I realised why everything seemed to be moving. This plant has a massive white tap root that is extending down and pushing the plant upwards as it does. I didn't expect that from a house plant and that root is scary. I haven't included a picture of it, but it's white and the thickness of a mans middle finger (one with big hands), and so far about 9 inches long in a very loose coil, if that makes any sense.
Has anyone else grown this plant? and do you have any tips about the proper type of pot it needs to be in, or if it should even be indoors at all?, (with roots like that it seems more like a baby tree)
Thanks for reading,
cliff.
Picture of the plant in its new pot below:
I got this plant last summer and I didn't make a note of the name of it, (regular bad habit!). And so I was wondering if anyone could tell me the name of it please, because then I might get to the bottom of another issue I'm having with it?
Earlier this year I noticed that the compost in the pot seemed to be moving, and that the plant itself seemed to be titling in the pot, so I readjusted it and thought nothing of it.
Then last week the compost seemed as though it was being pushed up and the plant had moved again, and so I decided that perhaps it needed re-potting.
Today when I lifted it out to re-pot it, I realised why everything seemed to be moving. This plant has a massive white tap root that is extending down and pushing the plant upwards as it does. I didn't expect that from a house plant and that root is scary. I haven't included a picture of it, but it's white and the thickness of a mans middle finger (one with big hands), and so far about 9 inches long in a very loose coil, if that makes any sense.
Has anyone else grown this plant? and do you have any tips about the proper type of pot it needs to be in, or if it should even be indoors at all?, (with roots like that it seems more like a baby tree)
Thanks for reading,
cliff.
Picture of the plant in its new pot below:
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Posts
https://greeneryunlimited.co/blogs/plant-care/bird-of-paradise-care
https://www.sunilpatel.co.uk/gardening/special-plants/strelitzia/
I checked online pictures and it is definitely a Bird of paradise plant. That answers the ID mystery, but I get the feeling I'm not going to like learning about the kind of care required. Research time I guess!
Thanks very much for your speedy help and advice :-)
cliff