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Bird of paradise
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All
information on this website is copyright Flowers.gs
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Common Name
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Crane flower
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Scientific
Name
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Strelitzia reginae
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Plant Category
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Perennial
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Location
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South
Africa, parts of North America
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Height
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6-10 inches
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Width
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4-8 inches
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Blooming Season
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Early spring to late winter
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Plant Habit
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Upright
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Color
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Orange, copper, blue or crimson
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Sun
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Sunny or partially shaded
location
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Soil
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Rich loamy soils with good
drainage
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Water
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Adequate moisture
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Plant Characteristics
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Flowers produced in a horizontal
inflorescence emerging from a stout spathe. Foliage resembles small banana leaves with long
petioles. Leaves arranged strictly in two ranks to form a fan-like crown of
evergreen foliage, thick, waxy, and glossy green.
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Usage
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Mass planting, grown in containers, floral decorations
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Information
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Birds of Paradise are one of the most colorful flowers in the world.
The popular birds of paradise plant bear unique
flowers that resemble a brightly colored bird in flight, giving it the common
name, bird of paradise. The flowers make the plants exceptionally attractive
landscape plants. Each bird of paradise flower is made up of three upright
orange sepals and three highly modified vivid blue petals. Two of the petals
are joined together in a structure resembling an arrowhead with the third petal
forming a nectary at the base of the flower.
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Growing Tips
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Birds of paradise thrive in most soils, but do
best in rich loamy soils with good drainage. Plants should be ideally placed in
sunny or partially shaded locations for good flower production. The soil
around the plants needs to be kept moist during spring and summer but should
be allowed to dry out slightly between watering in the fall and winter.
Plants grown in partial shade will be taller and have somewhat larger
flowers. In full sun, plants are smaller and flowers are on shorter stems.
Birds of paradise require a good amount of sunlight. A regular watering
schedule should also be followed during the first growing season to establish
a deep, extensive root system for the plants. Birds of paradise tend to
produce more flowers along the periphery of the plants. Thus, spacing the
plants at least 6 feet apart will allow adequate space for flowering.
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Common Problems
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In the home, plant diseases are rarely a problem.
Root rot usually results from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or
overly frequent watering. Too much or too little water plus insects and mites
are the main problems. Birds of paradise may be bothered by scales, mealy
bugs, whiteflies, and aphids.
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