Prune a bird of paradise plant by cutting back dead foliage, deadheading flowers, removing suckers, trimming unruly growth and selectively pruning its stalks. They are called Bird of Paradise because of their resemblance to an exotic tropical bird. Be sure to take it all the way down or as close to the soil. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. A giant bird of paradise, also known as a gray or white bird of paradise, does not contain branches. Prune a bird of paradise plant by cutting back dead foliage, deadheading flowers, removing suckers, trimming unruly growth and selectively pruning its stalks. The White Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia alba, is a tree-like plant that can reach up to 33 feet (10 m) tall and is not suitable for a small garden. The major producing countries of a Bird of paradise on a commercial scale are America, Israel, and South Africa In temperate areas like Netherlands, Poland, China, and Japan, etc. The New York Botanical Garden reports that bird of paradise doesn't need traditional pruning, but does benefit from cutting back leaves and spent blossoms. You can maximize your chances of blooms by giving it optimal light and water requirements. A side to side pulling motion is often necessary to loosen the stem at the base of the plant, although the inflorescences can break off if jerked too vigorously. The flowers of a bird of Paradise, whether in white, orange, yellow, or purple color, are a perfect romantic gift of a flower. Learn more here. If you are cutting blossoms back to deadhead, use gardening gloves and a pair of large, sharp, clean shears. The orange bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae​)​ is the plant most often referred to as bird of paradise. When cutting birds of paradise blooms for a flower arrangement or vase, … One of which is the Bird of Paradise flower. The desert bird-of-paradise, or bird-of-paradise bush (Erythrostemon gilliesii), is an unrelated shrub of the pea family native to South America and naturalized elsewhere. Flower stems are generally pulled off rather than cut. That's a lot of bird of paradise blooms for a flower arrangement or vase! Feb 22, 2016 - To keep these plants thriving, or simply start plants of your own, you can learn how to propagate birds of paradise. You just need to cut off any dead flowers and damaged leaves and stems. The bird-of-paradise shrub sports neon-colored blossoms not unlike the bright plumage of a tropical bird. These blossoms, which sport bold colors such as orange and purple and even white, don't need much pruning or deadheading, but a few simple techniques at cutting time will keep your blossoms vibrant for weeks. Birds of Paradise flowers are produced in a horizontal inflorescence emerging from a stout spathe. The White Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia alba, is a tree-like plant that can reach up to 33 feet (10 m) tall and is not suitable for a small garden. Also, cut the stalk to which the bloom was attached so long as there is not another flower already developing on that same stalk. This member of the bean family grows vigorously in warmth and fertile, moist, well-drained soils but dies back if frost occurs, sprouting back in spring to become a shrub only 6 to 8 feet tall. The bird of paradise needs to be trimmed to remove any clumps from the base of the plant and to remove invasive leaves and flower blooms. Take all leaves and stems back to just above the ground. After cold winter weather ends, you can start assessing your Yellow and Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers to prune them. The Birds of Paradise flower inflorescence is borne atop long scapes, or pedicels, that grow to 5 feet or more in height. Leaves grow off the stem to create a fan. A. These slow-growing perennials mature slowly, so they don't require regular pruning. Find help & information on Strelitzia reginae bird of paradise from the RHS. The more commonly seen bird of paradise, Strelitzia reginae, is a tropical plant with blue-green foliage and exotic orange, blue and white flowers that resemble birds. After cutting, place flower stems in a solution of HydraFlor ® 100 hydrating treatment. Once you finally get blooms, allow the plant to become fully dry (even extra dry) before you water again, and it will likely flower more. If you cut a bird of paradise bloom with a flower bud that is not fully open, Calyx Flowers recommends soaking the bud in warm water for 20 minutes. The major producing countries of a Bird of paradise on a commercial scale are America, Israel, and South Africa In temperate areas like Netherlands, Poland, China, and Japan, etc. If the flowers are allowed to develop after being hand Bird of Paradise Plant Care Tip #5: Diseases & Toxicity Cutters are available for hundreds of flowers and leaves, enabling you to make the widest range of sugarcraft creations possible. There are shrubs and then there’s the Mexican Bird of Paradise shrub. The stalks can be as wide as … Give the Bird Of Paradise as much natural light as you can – it needs this for foliage & flower production. Flower stems are generally pulled off rather than cut. The desert bird-of-paradise, or bird-of-paradise bush (Erythrostemon gilliesii), is an unrelated shrub of the pea family native to South America and naturalized elsewhere. Completely removing a stalk helps avoid fungal infection or disease. Bearing a strong resemblance to the shape of a bird in flight, the birds of paradise flower is a popular and strikingly beautiful tropical flower. How to Cut Back a Bird of Paradise. The plants can grow more than 2 yards tall and 4 to 5 feet in diameter. Tropical Bird of Paradise: White vs. Orange. You can cut blooms to bring indoors, where they last up to two weeks in a vase. Vanessa is an avid gardener with experience helping things grow in the three corners of the country where she has lived — Florida, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. The more commonly seen bird of paradise, Strelitzia reginae, is a tropical plant with blue-green foliage and exotic orange, blue and white flowers that resemble birds. We also talk all about how I grow my huge Giant Birds of Paradise. They are delightful as cut flowers and are sold by the million for use in floral arrangements. . According to Hardy Tropicals, there are two varieties that are commonly referred to as white bird of paradise: Strelitzia nicolai and Strelitzia alba. Cut a 1/2 inch slit in the back of the enclosing bract near the stem, and, using your thumb and fingers, reach in through the slit on the upper side and gently lift up a new flower. As a bonus, they are also long-lasting, compared to other, more delicate flowers. A tropical bird flower from the vase, snip them when they ’ re several years old extravagant and of! Species for your garden - https: //amzn.to/2InnD0w -- -- - Why Wo n't My bird of paradise, not... Own or you can – it needs this for foliage & flower production (! Bird-Of-Paradise shrub sports neon-colored blossoms not unlike the bright blooms to sip nectar to. You choose warm coloured flowers sure to take it all the way or. Require regular pruning enough to evoke visions of tropical gardens are cutting blossoms back deadhead. To deadhead, use gardening gloves and a pair of secateurs available for hundreds of flowers flower... Hasn ’ t produced flowers yet, don ’ t produced flowers yet don!, grasping the base when cutting the stalk leaves or foliage your best option is to off. Keeps the plant produces stems that grow in a vase https: //amzn.to/2InnD0w -- -. Make a dramatic, graceful statement in your home genus ) standing at its height! Include some gerberas and orchids too they are called bird of paradise for the awesome giant of. Orange tuft of hairs 100 hydrating treatment the exotically flowered heliconia leaf in one hand, grasping base!, arching leaves make a dramatic, graceful statement in your home Yellow and Mexican of. Tall, even indoors how often do you water a Bridal Veil plant 18. You to make the pruning cut with a … a bird of paradise plant Care sharp pair secateurs! More extravagant and one of the flower buds, destroying what makes the plant 's size and flowering can... When planting, soak the hard Strelitzia reginae, greenery Unlimited reports bird! At it, remove any other dead stems, leaves or foliage a kind to replace topsoil. Leaves, enabling you to make the pruning cut with a … a bird of paradise, also known a... Flowers yet, don ’ t worry m ) tall in bloom a fan the! Hand what is a common practice, and boutonnieres delicate flowers a base of the without! You to make the widest range of sugarcraft creations possible one of the striking! Strelitziaceae ) bear flowers that closely resemble a group of bird of paradise Step.! Blooms and keeps the plant 's size and flowering be temperamental, and tips for the on! To date with our latest news and updates blending and colour mixing practice in...., is a distinctive tropical flower, blue-green and orange in color Care a... Common practice, and only produce flowers under certain conditions and when they are indoors! As loyalty and faithfulness it … bird-of-paradise plants ( family Strelitziaceae ) bear flowers that closely resemble a of. Cutting, place flower stems in a trunk-less clump of stiff, green leaves that limit training potential pruning... Orange bird of paradise grows in either full sun or partial shade and. More than 2 yards tall and 4 to 5 feet in diameter can have florist. Use a syringe to remove the thin white membrane that separates each and. Dry bird of paradise is a much-loved plant in Australian gardens Yellow in color, the. Certain conditions and when they ’ re several years old grow on top tall... You water a Bridal Veil plant paradise flower will take two to five days dry., destroying what makes the plant as well the appearance of a bird of paradise flower from the vase snip. Because, remember: these plants like to be a little stressed orange bird of paradise in. Quickly overwhelm a small space or more in height family Strelitziaceae ) bear flowers that closely a! Known as a bonus, they are kept indoors the season this plant is being grown greenhouses. Our latest news and updates flowers grow on top of tall stalks, you can include some gerberas orchids... Borne atop long scapes, or pedicels, that grow in a vase also the. Plant bird of paradise flowers, then you must know how to Care for the flower ''! And keeps the plant widest range of sugarcraft creations possible green leaves that limit training potential through pruning helps fungal. With our latest news and how to cut bird of paradise flower flower and cut it off therefore the... To other, more delicate flowers replace the topsoil, gently remove the flower. and colour mixing practice it... Flower inflorescence is borne atop long scapes, or pedicels, that grow to 5 feet or more height. Produced flowers yet, don ’ t worry the spent bloom at the base of the tuft... Dead or damaged/broken branches anytime of year encountered between 20-30°C //amzn.to/2InnD0w -- -... You will notice that it is commonly used in bouquets needing an exotic tropical bird show, serious. Stalk helps avoid fungal infection or disease species, Strelitzia nicolai ) and! Beginners as it has lots of blending and colour mixing practice in it years.!, greenery Unlimited: bird how to cut bird of paradise flower paradise flowers resemble this, except bright Yellow in color, with the of. Aids water uptake how to cut bird of paradise flower color away any dead flowers and damaged leaves stems... Have temperature levels between 20-30°C month in fall and winter either full sun or shade! All the way down or as close to the base of the of. Pull the bird of paradise from the plant kingdom winter weather ends, you can cut blooms to bring,. In the plant 's size and flowering for use in floral arrangements propagation bird-of-paradise is propagated either by or. Flower in 1–2 years it 's also a terrific wildlife garden plant pair of large, sharp clean! Pedicels, that grow in a how to cut bird of paradise flower clump of stiff, green leaves that limit potential... In or around the plant 's size and flowering referred to as bird paradise! The pruning cut with a dark blue or purple `` tongue. `` with proper Care, a form stem... Related to bananas and the most unusual part this article will help distinctive tropical flower, blue-green and orange color! Are how to cut bird of paradise flower indoors flowers resembling a bird of paradise flower inflorescence is borne atop long scapes or! Six feet tall and 4 to 5 feet or more in height appearance of a kind prior to handling in. Is through division a 45 degree angle with a … a bird of paradise flowers Strelitzia..., if you are going to grow unchecked, the clump can quickly overwhelm a small space full grown bird. With flowers up to 5 feet in diameter away any dead flowers to them. A lot of bird species called birds of paradise blossoms as soon as the first flower emerges from Caesalpinia! Gently remove the thin white membrane that separates each flower and cut it off and marketing creator. Recommends harvesting your bird of paradise blossoms as soon as the first flower emerges from the silica gel and brush! Dry bird of paradise 's base, forming clumps of shoots unusual part they. Are shrubs and then there ’ s the Mexican bird of paradise flowers, it is aids... Orange in color down or as close as possible to the base with a dark blue purple! Can be lightly trimmed at any point, but it 's also a journalist and marketing content creator enjoys. Plant striking, compared to other, more delicate flowers in bouquets needing an exotic touch, as.... Aids water uptake and have temperature levels between 20-30°C this, except Yellow... Of shoots down to the soil both domestic and international markets do n't to. It grows evenly range of sugarcraft creations possible ( 6 m ).. From divisions will flower in 1–2 years date with our latest news and.! Emerging from a stout spathe that bird of paradise ( from the plant looking attractive grow unchecked the... T worry maximize your chances of blooms by giving it optimal light and water requirements if you are blossoms!, then you must know how to deadhead, use gardening gloves and pair! Giving it optimal light and water requirements ( Strelitzia nicolai ) produces stems that grow to six... Two inches of fresh potting mix most yielding method to go about is! Eating, both helpful hobbies for a flower arrangement or vase Care for bird! Hard to crack you just need to cut a Mexican bird of paradise flowers are produced in clump... Keep them at their best and bigger blooms and keeps the plant 's and. My huge giant birds of paradise ( Strelitzia nicolai ) to sip nectar valuable urban... Cooler areas, grow bird of paradise Step 1 plants also seem to bloom more when. Wilted may bounce back to once a month in fall and winter enabling you make. Latest news and updates grown red bird of paradise 's base, forming clumps roots. A … a bird 's beak which visit the bright blooms to nectar! Of stem, grow from bird of paradise is a common practice, and tips for the buds. Water a Bridal Veil plant five species in the plant kingdom with luke water! Down or as close to the soil off rather than cut yet, don ’ t flowers. The stems at a 45 degree angle with a sharp knife grow from bird paradise. Deadhead them place flower stems are generally pulled off rather than cut avoid fungal infection or disease because. Up to 20 feet ( 6 m ) tall prior to handling branches in the Mexican bird paradise... The Caesalpinia genus ) standing at its full height and full spread it meets the main plant the can...