Allotments 4 All

Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: flossie on April 10, 2007, 17:56:17

Title: Bird of Paradise feed?
Post by: flossie on April 10, 2007, 17:56:17
I know it is cheating but I have just bought a little plant from Wilkos.    Any advice on what /when to feed it would be appreciated...
Thank you
Title: Re: Bird of Paradise feed?
Post by: ACE on April 10, 2007, 19:04:15
If it is a little plant, it will be years before it blooms, but worth the wait.

I have heard that these plants need to be stressed to make them flower, I put one in my poly tunnel and forgot about it apart from watering if I had the can in my hand as I was passing. Then all of a sudden it started this spring. The pot is bulging with roots and shoots, the compost has dried right out and the outside leaves are as dry as a crisp so it is well and truly stressed.

I would just give it a drink of epsom salts for now to encourage more green growth.
Title: Re: Bird of Paradise feed?
Post by: flossie on April 10, 2007, 19:06:00
Thanks, Ace,  I am sure that I can manage to stress it out - maybe I can give it some of my "to do" lists  :o
Title: Re: Bird of Paradise feed?
Post by: SueLawn on April 10, 2007, 23:49:06
Hi,
I have had a strelitza for around 3 years now and it has never flowered, but it's a nice looking houseplant anyway. I am not sure if the plant gets very much stress, but I do when the cats decide to use the pot as a litter tray and then kick all the soil out all over the floor!
Mine seems to have split into 2 plants. I feed it when i remember with baby bio, about 3 times a year. and water it maybe once a week, or fortnight.
Sue