Pruning a Strelitzia Reginae

Growth

• The bird of paradise plant is a slow-growing, evergreen perennial that grows outdoors year round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 and can be container-grown indoors everywhere. A South African native, the plant grows as a clump of circularly arranged, paddle-shaped, leathery leaves about 8 inches long by 6 inches wide. One or more flowers open on each long flower stalk, which can reach 5 feet in height to hold the flower well above the plant. As it opens, the flower fans out its orange and blue, pointed petals into a virtual bird-head.

Timing

• The bird of paradise enlarges slowly as it matures, with the clump gradually growing in circumference. It's a tropical plant that develops flower buds during summer that generally flowers in fall and early winter, resting in a semi-dormant state from late winter into spring. Because of this, the best time to prune the plant is in early spring, before its new growth begins, so that pruning doesn't interfere with production of flowers later in the season.

Pruning

• Bird of paradise flowers are long-lasting, with most flowers developing on the outer portions of the clump. Although the flowers eventually fade, they don't drop spontaneously from the plant and, if left in place, can become unattractive. Pruning each faced flower stalk off at its base helps keep the plant looking neat. Also remove any dry or damaged leaves to improve the plant's appearance and reduce the risk of fungal problems. You can prune back an older plant whose growth isn't vigorous to stimulate new growth, cutting about half of its leafy stems off at the plant's base. New leaf stalks usually appear within a few weeks.

Other Requirements

• A bird of paradise grows in either sun or partial shade, but produces the most flowers when given full sun. The plant grows in any garden soil, but it thrives in soil that's organically rich and well-drained. Adding compost to your soil increases its organic content and fertility, and mixing in some sand can improve its drainage if it contains clay and drains slowly. For a potted specimen, use a commercial potting soil, or make your own mix from 1 part loam, 1 part compost and 2 parts sand. You can help promote flowering by feeding a fully grown plant with 1 pound of a balanced, 10-10-10, slow-release fertilizer every three months. Follow the directions on the package.