Comprehensive Guide to Growing Bird of Paradise Flowers

STRELITZIA — Bird of Paradise Flower
Strelitzia Reginae is one of several tender perennial plants commonly grown as Bird of Paradise Flowers, commonly cultivated perennial plants from this group that belong to Musaceae or Banana family, from South Africa, whose name honors Charlotte von Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz).

Remarkable Plant
This remarkable flowering plant stands out among exotic varieties with its spectacular blooms. To thrive in an ideal greenhouse environment of 50-55 degrees, large flowerpots or soil beds should be utilized; direct sunlight must be allowed through during its growing period for free ventilation; during hot weather months the soil must also remain damp; winter climates require only occasional watering for optimal results.

Planting should take place either in autumn or early spring, using soil composed primarily of loam (two thirds), mixed with one-third each of peat and leaf mold and free-spreading sand (one-third each for beds of soil and potted plants) that drains well; 7, 8 or 9 inch wide pots should also be suitable. Repotting those plants that require it is best done early spring.

Outdoor Culture
Strelitzias can be grown outdoors in climates with minimal frost risk, such as California and Florida, without frost danger posing a threat. These perennial flowers thrive in any good soil with regular irrigation during their active growth season and require plenty of water during this period. Established plants benefit from annual applications of fertilizers or mulch made up of compost or organic material for best results.

Propagation and Kinds
A simple method of increasing Strelitzia stock is by detaching side shoots or offsets when repotting plants, or sowing seeds directly in February/March in pots with sandy soil in a warm greenhouse.

Strelitzia Reginae is not the only variety cultivated, however. Sometimes other varieties such as Strelitzia augusta with its distinct trunk reaching 18 feet high are grown as well; and flowers of white color.
Strelitzia kewensis, a hybrid between Strelitzia Reginae and Strelitzia augusta that displays intermediate characteristics between its parents. This cultivar produces pale yellow flowers with lilac-pink markings at their bases;
Strelitzia Nicolai resembles Strelitzia augusta but with larger flowers that feature blue inner segments instead of the more typical white hue;
Strelitzia parvifolia and Strelitzia Reginae, two trunkless varieties that grow 3-4 feet tall with purple-yellow blooms. All except an artificially produced hybrid called Strelitzia Kewensis are natives of South Africa.