How to Prune a Bird of Paradise: A Detailed Guide to Pruning Methods
The Chinese name for the bird of paradise is crane's-bill orchid (Strelitzia), a plant in the family Strelitziaceae and the genus Strelitzia. So what exactly are the pruning methods for the bird of paradise?
1. Growth Habits of the Bird of Paradise
The bird of paradise is native to southern Africa, and it is now grown in most parts of China. Its main distribution areas are southern Africa, the United States, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Philippines, China and others. Strelitzia is a subtropical long-day plant. It prefers a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, is afraid of severe cold, and dislikes extreme heat, drought and waterlogging. It requires loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam with a pH of 6-7. The suitable temperature during the growing period is 20-28°C.
Strelitzia mainly includes 5 varieties: the white bird of paradise, the leafless Strelitzia, the Kew Strelitzia, the Caudata Strelitzia and the golden Strelitzia.
2. Pruning Methods for the Bird of Paradise
1. The bird of paradise needs proper pruning in spring. Thin out the excess flower buds on the branches to ensure the nutrition of the main branches;
2. During the young stage, the bird of paradise also needs pinching, cutting off overly long shoots and buds to keep the plant looking neat;
3. Pruning is required during the growing period and after flowering, cutting away useless branches and spent flowers to avoid consuming too much nutrition.
3. Pest and Disease Control for the Bird of Paradise
1. Root rot
The soil needs to be disinfected and watering controlled in time, the rotten roots removed, and quicklime sprinkled into the soil or 70% quintozene used to disinfect the soil.
2. Gray mold
During the onset of the disease, spray for control with 80% captafol wettable powder at 500 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil at 500 times dilution, thiophanate at 500-800 times dilution, 50% carbendazim at 1000 times dilution, 50% iprodione wettable powder at 1500 times dilution, or 60% kangliling wettable powder at 500 times dilution