These plants should be repotted every spring; otherwise, they will lack room to expand. Undoubtedly, they will look great in any garden, but you could also plant them in containers as they easily adapt to space.Â, Here Are Some Interesting Facts about Strelitzia Plant. Strelitzia, the Crane flower, the Bird of Paradise – what a set of names for one plant. All rights reserved. They can be moved outside in the summer, and in warmer climes, will thrive for half the year out. Only choose the ones that drowned; this way, you will have more chances of germinating them. LOCATION: Plant in a full sun to partly shaded position in the garden. This is one of the most exotic and beautiful plants in the world! Ideally, this place will have direct sunlight, but it shouldn’t receive it for more than a couple of hours a day. They are native to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and some areas in South Africa. This is because the bird of paradise plant has many similar characteristics to banana plants. Strelitzia Nicolai (Giant white bird of paradise) is an ornamental house plant. It has white petals, and they lack the distinctive blue that other varieties of Strelitzia plants have. General care . This bird of paradise flower has blue petals and orange sepals (which are the ones that protect the inner flower). To do this, you will have to choose your best flower and split two blue petals that tend to fuse together. The trick to successful growth is providing lots of bright light (with some gentle, direct sun), water, warmth, and food. augusta, Strelitzia angusta, Strelitzia augusta, Color: White Strelitzia Nicolai, på dansk 'Hvid paradisfugl', er opkaldt efter Nikolaj 1. af Rusland (1796 – 1855), der var russisk zar og konge af Polen.Den danske betegnelse er kommet af samme årsag som ved artssøsteren Strelitzia Reginae – på denne plante er blomsterne dog hvide. Also, try to avoid middays’ sun rays. They have unique tropical colors, and they will definitely catch everybody’s attention. Flowers. The soil where you will plant needs to be moist all the time, especially during spring and summer, when the bird of paradise flower will consume most water. They work well in massed plantings or as specimen plants, and their flowers will rise above the foliage for an impressive display. Once they do, take them out of the bag, and choose the right spot to sit. Name – Strelitzia reginae Family – Strelitziaceae Type – perennial. Heliconia alba (basionym), Heliconia augusta, Strelitzia alba subsp. The fruit is a woody capsule, splitting into three lobes to reveal black seeds with a yellow-orange tufty aril. Leave them on the ground as a cover; this will also decompose and form a good organic soil to feed your plants. CARE: Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. augusta, Strelitzia angusta, Strelitzia augusta Height – 3 to 6 ½ feet (1 to 2 meters) Exposure – full sun, part sun Soil – … Strelitzia alba This plant is native to South Africa, and it is challenging to cultivate in other areas (although it is not impossible to do so). This is not a plant for the impatient. I don’t know why I’m so fascinated with them. As its name suggests, they look like a bird in flight: they have many petals that seem to mimic the bird’s head, but they also resemble a crane. And creates the impression of the original flower in the form of, indeed, the bird’s head with a «beak» and «tuft». Growing bird of paradise flowers is not difficult, albeit it may seem daunting at first, especially when you try to find the perfect sunny spot for them! Strelitzia is a superb plant that comes from the tropics, boasting simply magnificent flowers and nicely dense leafage. Strelitzia alba also known as white-flowered wild banana, or Cape wild banana is a plant of the Bird of Paradise family and is endemic to the Garden Route along the southernmost coastal regions of the district of Humansdorp Eastern and district of Knysna in Western Cape in South Africa. Bird of Paradise is a great indoor houseplant choice for filling a wide, tall, well-lit space. Strelitzia nicolai - giant bird of paradise. This beautiful variety of the bird of paradise flower has white and blue petals. This means that the paradise flower bird belongs to two different family plants: the Strelitziaceae and the Musaceae. Statistics. From a distance this plant looks like some kind of unusual bird (apparently, these are found in heaven). You will need to pair them with plants that do not have the same growing requirements. You can transplant the seedlings once they have grown and had at least five leaves. Unlike Strelitzia alba, the inflorescence of Strelitzia nicolai is compound.It is made up of not 1 but up to 5 Spathes (a spathe is a bract – a modified specialised leaf that appears different from the calyx or corolla). Strelitzia alba is regarded as Least Concern in the Red List of South African Plants. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. You will need to prune the bird of paradise flower; however, this is not difficult. Water your bird of paradise flowers thoroughly until they are six months old. However, if you live in any other country in the world and try to grow the bird of paradise flowers, you may need to pollinate your plants by hand. It has a nice symmetrical shape and large oval-shaped canopy-type leaves. See more at How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise Flower. Ideally, you will give your growing plants the best possible conditions to thrive. It is endemic to the Garden Route along the southernmost coastal regions of the Eastern and Western Cape in South Africa. If you grow your plants outside and place them in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, then your plants will grow healthily. They love humid and hot climates and can grow up to 30 inches in height if left in the wilderness. Here you will find everything you need to know about bird paradise flowers. The bird of paradise flower (scientifically known as Strelitzia) is the one for you!Â. She is passionate about flowers and she is looking into transforming a person’s life through self-sustaining spaces that could, eventually, allow the community to gather and share knowledge and information. It grows from a slowly spreading woody rootstock to form a ringed trunk from which giant grey-green paddle-shaped leaves arise. If you are thinking about an interesting-looking and very unique plant, then look no further! The flowers are completely white and lack the blue color found in other species. Please do not take all of them at once, though, because they need to be crowded to thrive. How to Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise Flower, Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum (Cupido Peace Lily). You can just remove all of the dead leaves and maybe the plant’s older flower stalks; otherwise, they could develop fungus or any other related diseases. Cultivation Under glass grow in loam-based compost, in a large container or greenhouse bed, in full light with shade from hot sun. Here is everything you need to know before getting your hands dirty: If you already have a bird of paradise flowers’ seeds, you will need to help them before planting them in the soil. Do not cover all of them, as they require light in order to sprout. The inflorescence is composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals and a … You now know that bird of paradise flowers can grow very tall, try to pair them with low-growing plants. There are five different species of this particular flower, and they are all native to the African continent, more specifically to the southern area (1). This also means organic soil, which you can have if you compost, or you can purchase as well. They are Strelitzia Alba, the Caudata or Mountain Strelitzia, the Nicolai or Wild Banana, the Reginae or Crane Lily, the Juncea or African Desert Banana and the hybrid of the Reginae and Augusta, the Kewensis. Here are some answers that will help with your plants: As you have previously read in this article, Strelitzia caudata plants are also called ‘’wild bananas’’. Strelitzia is a primarily South African genus, though Strelitzia alba is also found in Madagascar. Here are the most common types: This is the common Strelitzia reginae type of plant that most of us know. Strelitzia reginae was chosen as the very first Plant of the Week when this series began in July 2000 as the flower forms part of the Institute's logo. In containers use a good quality potting mix that drains freely. Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai) A crown of banana-like leaves atop a palm tree trunk, combined with huge, uniquely beautiful flowers, is deserving of the name, "Bird of Paradise tree." If you plant them outdoors, you will need to wait until they are six months old. You can do so by activating them; this means you will place them in a cup filled with water, and all of the seeds that stay floating will be discarded. If you live in South Africa, you wouldn’t have to worry about this, because nature does it for you. They can grow up to 20 feet in height and do not have branches. They are also referred to as Giant birds of paradise, because of their size; they are even the tallest of all bird of paradise flowers or plants. Summary of Strelitzia facts. When it’s fall and wintertime, you will not have to water them as often. They are also called crane flowers due to their shape. If you plant this exotic plant, then let us know how it goes! S. reginae is very well known, and arguably the most common species (picture above). They will thrive best in the desert, so if you happen to have one, do not water them regularly, otherwise, they will be at risk of having fungal diseases. Strelitzia alba is a frost-sensitive, clump-forming perennial that grows up to 33 feet (10 m) tall. Strelitzia is a genus of 5 species of perennial plants, native to South Africa. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you). Many people think there is only one type of bird of paradise flower, and they will be surprised to know that there are many more! Dig the soil over well before planting adding some well rotted composting cow manure. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a dramatic plant with distinctive iridescent orange and midnight blue flowers that resemble an exotic bird peeking out from the broad leaves in autumn, winter and spring.Although this flower is often associated with tropical places, like Hawaii, the plant is actually native to South Africa. Strelitzia juncea, also known as the rush, reed or narrow leaved Strelitzia is also a compact plant, growing to 1–2 m high. Caring for the large Stelitzia Nicolai is much easier than you might think! If this is your first time in the garden (and even if you are a pro at it), this article will surely guide you throughout the process so that you can plant a successful bird of paradise flower field. You should add more organic matter (it would be great if you add compost), and then plant them outdoors or leave them indoors. Flowering may take place at any time of the year but is usually between July and December. Yes, they definitely are! They can grow up to 30 feet in height. This plant is native to South Africa, and it is challenging to cultivate in other areas (although it is not impossible to do so). You now know that bird of paradise flowers can absorb a lot of water, then pair them with drought-tolerant varieties of plants. In fact, you should only do so once a week (and always test the soil first). Bird of paradise is one of the flashiest flowers you will ever see! https://doi.org/10.5598/imafungus.2017.08.01.05, *Image by depositphotos.com/ArkadijSchell. Once your flowers have blossomed, you can take a few of the plants and repot them. Heliconia alba (basionym), Heliconia augusta, Strelitzia alba subsp. Strelitzia / s t r ɛ ˈ l ɪ t s i ə / is a genus of five species of perennial plants, native to South Africa.It belongs to the plant family Strelitziaceae. Pleiocarpon gen. nov. and a new species of Ilyonectria causing basal rot of Strelitzia reginae in Italy. The genus is named after the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, birthplace of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom.A common name of the genus is bird of paradise flower/plant, because of a resemblance of its flowers to birds-of-paradise. Cultivating these flowers is not difficult at all. APPEARANCE: Super sized clumping plant with large fronds and deep purple flowers featuring white centres. The up to 1 feet (30 cm) long, boat-shaped bract encloses from 5 to 10 flowers, which emerge in sequence. It rewards a minimum of care with lush blossom splendure. Eugenia Tovar has always been interested in nature. Care Tips Strelitzia Nicolai XXL: this large plant will need care as frequently as your average cactus! It is sometimes referred to as the Crane plant due to the flowers looking like the feathers on the head of a crane. It has white petals, and they lack the distinctive blue that other varieties of Strelitzia plants have. USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C). Strelitzia is a genus of about 5 or 6 species (depending on who you listen to) of monocot plants closely related to the bananas and even more closely related to Ravenala, the Madagascan plant known commonly as the Traveler's Palm. They rarely perform well as houseplants, as … November 2020 - Covid-19 update: We remain open to public throughout the national lockdown in November. Are bird of paradise flowers good for companion planting? It belongs to the plant family Strelitziaceae. USE IN:As a feature in tropical-style garden settings. Strelitzia is a genus of about 5 or 6 species (depending on who you listen to). Strelitzia reginae is a native to the eastern coastlines of southern Africa, where it grows wild in patches that are sometimes miles across. You must touch its soil before you water them; this will tell you how much watering they need. The Plant List includes a further 17 scientific plant names of infraspecific rank for the genus Strelitzia.We do not intend The Plant List to be complete for names of infraspecific rank. It is a trunk forming, clustering tree to 6m high with banana-like shiny green leathery leaves, having an obtuse base arranged in two ranks. There are five species and a hybrid within the genus. How To Grow and Care for Bird of Paradise Plants, How to Grow Bird of Paradise from Seedlings, Popular Types of Bird of Paradise Flowers, Strelitzia caudata or Mountain Strelitzia. The Strelitzia reginae is relatively unpretentious and can also be easily grown in the Central European climate. The other species are S. nicolai, alba and caudata. They are often tattered by strong winds or hail. In other words, look for the opposite plants. If you succeed in doing this, you will have seeds in a couple of months; which is excellent news, because it will allow you to have your own field of the bird of paradise flowers. Birds of paradise need to support each other: ideally, you will plant them in pairs, so they can grow together. Strelitzia Nicolai. Bird of paradise flowers could take up to 10 years to bloom, as they need to develop thoroughly first. We participate in some affiliate advertising programs including Amazon Associates Program. The Plant List includes 24 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Strelitzia.Of these 5 are accepted species names. IMA fungus, 8(1), 65–76. Green paddle shaped leaves to 2m long are produced on a gradually extending ringed trunk. Are bananas and bird of paradise flowers related? Bird of Paradise is easier to grow than many tropical plants. Bird of paradise can grow up to more than 30 feet tall. There, you will find a white substance, which is the pollen, carefully remove it with a small paintbrush, and “paint’’ it onto another flower’s stigma (which is the protruding white tip between the petals). How to grow. Only then will you be able to start the previously explained process of planting the seeds. Often referred to as banana plant, since the leaves do have a very similar shape to those of a banana tree, Strelitzia is a much hardier choice to be kept as an indoor houseplant. The houseplant is potted with a so-called semi hydroponics; the soil contains clay granules that absorb water, providing the plant with a continuous water level. Although this plant adapts easily, they are not tolerant of cold weather. If the pot is big enough It can grow to 2 m / 6.6 ft tall, with large, tough banana like leaves 25–70cm / 9.8–28in long. During growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. If you would like to learn more about the bird of paradise flowers, continue reading this article. If they live in healthy conditions, they can produce more than 35 flower spikes every year; this means they are always used as. Strelitzia nicolai, commonly known as Giant Bird of Paradise sums up this immense plant. Strelitzia reginae is not hardy and requires a minimum winter night temperature of 10-12°C (50-54°F) They also prefer a humid atmosphere, which is why they tend to thrive and flower well in conservatories and glasshouses. Bird of Paradise Flower Meaning and Symbolism, https://doi.org/10.5598/imafungus.2017.08.01.05, Rose Food Guide: How to Use The Best Fertilizer for Roses, Euphorbia Lactea (Dragon Bones Tree): Types, How to Grow and Care, Osmanthus Flower Types, How to Grow and Care, Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum Plant): Types, How to Grow and Care. If your seeds are growing well, you will need to feed them with an organic fertilizer every two weeks maximum. Then you will need to put them in a closed plastic bag with soil. The bird of paradise flower is an evergreen perennial; this means that the plant usually keeps its green foliage throughout the year, but it also means that the plant dies when it frosts and temperatures drop, and then it will reemerge through spring. Sowing the Seed So, bananas and bird of paradise flowers are related; they are distant cousins! Thank you for your support! It is said to be both drought and cold tolerant. Copyright © 2013-2020 World of Flowering Plants. These 5 smaller spathes grow out of a single large boat like spathe that surrounds the all 5 of the smaller spathes in the compound inflorescence. The plant is a vigorous, rapidly growing indoor plant. They typically flower in the late winter or early spring, but under optimal conditions, they will bloom at various times. 99% of the Bird of Paradise I see for sale in Toronto are the 'Giant White' (Strelitzia nicolai) variety which aren't particularly house-friendly because they grow up to 30ft and can't be pruned to contain its size.I mean just look at the size of the specimen at Cloud Gardens! The clean trunk bears the scars of old leaf-bases. It is a beautiful plant and can be very successfully grown inside. The leaves are up to 6.6 feet (2 m) long and up to 2 feet (60 cm) wide. Strelitzia reginae is the most well-known species and is frequently grown as house plants. It’s flowers resemble the S. reginae flowers, but it’s leaves are narrow and reed-like. A short clip showing the crew raising one of the massive Strelitzia alba plants for use in the Australian Garden entry of the RHS Chelsea Flower show 2010. There are five main species and varieties, although only Strelitzia Reginae and Strelitzia Nicolai are treated as houseplants. The distinctive bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae or Strelizia nicolai) is one of the best known of all the tropical flowers and is a cousin to the banana.Surprisingly, the bird of paradise is easier to grow than many tropical plants and makes for a vigorous, rapidly growing indoor plant. It grows in evergreen forest, gorges, and on slopes along the rivers. This plant is so beautiful that you will appreciate nature even more: its colors, its scent, and even the shade it can give to any sunny area are great! Strelitiz reginae '' Mandela's Gold' is a form with yellow flowers. Strelitzia augusta, perhaps more correctly S. alba, is one of three arborescent species of the Bird of Paradise - the others being S. caudata and S. nicholai. Top dress annually and repot every second year. In fact, they both fall under the same family classification of plants, which is the Musaceae. It’s one of nature’s gifts, for sure! Bird of paradise flowers are scientifically referred to as Strelitzia reginae, and they belong to the Strelitziaceae family of plants. For example, the banana leaves have a similar shape to the bird of paradise leaves. On the other hand, if you grow them inside, they should too receive plenty of hard sunlight in order to thrive. If you leave the plants indoors, then do keep them underneath the sunlight. They can grow up to 40 feet in height, and they will catch everyone’s attention thanks to its beauty! mzimvubuensis is another subspecies of S.reginae. The Bird of Paradise plant, or strelitzia, is a large and gorgeous foliage plant that looks just as majestic indoors in a pot, as it does outside in the garden.This plant is famous for its round palm-like leaves and its brightly-coloured architectural flowers that bloom to look like tropical birds – earning the strelitzia the household name of ‘Bird of Paradise’ plant. This place could receive full sunlight; although, it would be best if it was partially shaded. Strelitzia — care at home . She holds a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate, and she has been studying horticulture and agriculture for the last couple of years. Bloom Time:  Usually between July and December. They prefer to grow in clumps, so avoid separating them; otherwise, they may die. Bird of paradise flowers needs to have a good drainage system. Also known as ‘’wild banana’’. These are called the anthers. During fall and winter, you can reduce the water they receive. If you take care of some basic nurturing principles, this exotic, not winter-hardy plant will thrive magnificently. S. alba; S. juncea; S. nicolai; S. caudata; Strelizia reginae subsp. Bird of paradise flowers needs plenty of suns to thrive! Up Next: Bird of Paradise Flower Meaning and Symbolism, (1) Aiello, D., Polizzi, G., Crous, P. W., & Lombard, L. (2017). The biggest drawback is typically its size (they grow up to 5 feet/1.5 m) and the fact that plants need 3 to 5 years before they will flower. It’s a combination of its names, exoticness, rarity and its flowers, which can take over five years to appear, from seed.