How to Grow a Bird of Paradise? Detailed Guide to Care Methods and Precautions

The flowers of the bird of paradise look like birds spreading their wings in flight or like cranes, elegant and noble, and their colors are a combination of different hues, making them look especially beautiful and exquisite. Such a beautiful bird of paradise always makes people want to grow it, so how should the bird of paradise be grown? Let's find out together below!

How to Grow a Bird of Paradise

1. Light

The bird of paradise needs no less than 4 hours of direct light every day, and ideally bright light all day long. When the sunlight is intense, take some protective measures. In winter, which is the main flowering period, plenty of sunlight helps increase flower production. Light regulation emphasizes the management principle of “not shady in winter, not sun-scorched in summer”. When the plant is shaded, the appearance of the leaves will be more beautiful, but the number of flowers will be relatively smaller.

2. Temperature

Temperature management of the bird of paradise is of great significance for flower production. Generally, the bird of paradise's growth is hindered above 40°C, it suffers frost damage below 0°C, and it grows well within the range of 18°C-30°C. It is best to ensure a nighttime temperature (13°C-18°C) and a daytime temperature (31°C-35°C). Within the suitable temperature range, every leaf axil of the bird of paradise can form a flower bud.

3. Fertilizer and water

Ensure a sufficient and regular water supply. Apart from September to February, when a plant needs to stay dry, the soil should be kept constantly moist at other times. Using a well-drained medium is the key to cultivation management. The bird of paradise fears waterlogging at the cultivation site, because its fleshy roots can tolerate drought but fear flooding.

4. Leaving the nursery

Before the bird of paradise leaves the nursery, ventilation should be strengthened so that the plants are hardened off, to avoid affecting growth and flowering after sale due to the potted flowers being unable to adapt to the environment, and yellow leaves and diseased leaves should be removed. Its cut flowers are generally harvested when the first floret is in bud or fully open; cut flowers for storage and transport can be harvested before the buds show color. The cut flower stems are required to reach more than 70 cm. After harvesting and water treatment, they can be stored dry for one month at 7-8°C. If long-distance transport is needed, after soaking in water the cut flowers should be transported dry in a moisture-retaining box at a temperature of 7-8°C; below 7°C, low-temperature injury is easily caused. During storage, cut flowers are sensitive to gray mold, so a fungicide needs to be sprayed for protection before storage and transport.

Bird of Paradise Cultivation Methods

1. Temperature. The bird of paradise likes a warm, humid, semi-shady environment. The suitable temperature range is 12°C to 25°C, and the winter room temperature is best kept above 5°C.

2. Soil. It is suitable for growing in loose, deep humus soil.

3. Watering. Water when the soil is dry and let it dry between waterings; in summer watering should be plentiful, and in spring and summer water should also be sprayed on the leaves frequently and sprinkled on the ground around the flowerpot to increase air humidity, create a cool environment, and benefit its growth and development. After late autumn, watering should be reduced, and in winter watering should be controlled to keep the potting soil on the drier side.

4. Fertilizing. During the growing season, the bird of paradise requires a thin fertilizer solution once every half month. For home cultivation, it is best to water with fermented rice-washing water or soybean soaking liquid. From flower stem formation to full bloom, 0.5% superphosphate can be added to the fertilizer solution, which will make the flower colors bloom more brilliantly.

5. Potting soil. The bird of paradise has thick fleshy roots, and its root system is well developed and grows quickly, so we should repot it in time.

6. Sowing. The bird of paradise usually does not set seed; hand pollination can produce seeds. The seeds mature in three months and should be sown immediately after collection. Under a temperature of 25°C to 30°C, the seeds germinate in 2 to 3 weeks, and seedlings can bloom only after three years.

7. Propagation. Division propagation is generally used, and it can be done in both spring and autumn. The method is to turn the pot upside down and cut from the root crown with a knife, applying plant ash to the cut to prevent rot. In division propagation, each division should retain 2 to 3 buds, and it can bloom in the same year.

Precautions for the Bird of Paradise

1. Temperature. It fears strong direct sunlight and is not cold-tolerant, so be careful to keep it warm.

2. Moisture. The bird of paradise has fleshy roots and fears both waterlogging and drought. If the potting soil accumulates water and stays wet for a long time, it easily causes root rot, so watering should alternate between dry and wet. Apart from plentiful watering in summer and during the flowering period, watering should be appropriately reduced in early spring, and watering should be controlled even more when the winter room temperature is low.

3. The four seasons. In summer, be sure to spray water on the leaves and sprinkle water on the surrounding ground 1 to 2 times a day to increase air humidity and lower the temperature. Appropriate shading should be provided to avoid direct strong light, otherwise the leaves will be scorched.

4. Temperature. The suitable growth temperature is 18-24°C; when it exceeds 32°C, spray water to lower the temperature.

When Does the Bird of Paradise Bloom

The flowering period of the bird of paradise is from September to June of the following year, and the blooming time of the bird of paradise can last for more than one hundred days.

Through the above content, I believe everyone has gained a certain understanding of how to grow the bird of paradise. The bird of paradise is an ornamental flower plant with extremely high ornamental value, especially its very exquisite flowers; if planted in a room as decoration, the overall taste of the room is instantly elevated by a level.