Strelitzia Species, Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower

On Jul 7, 2021, clinenotklein from Bluffton, SC wrote:

In the coastal Southeast these used to only be seen growing large between freezes in strong microclimates, but now if you go to places like Hilton Head Island you'll see them in yards everywhere eclipsing the height of people's fences. Planted a large pot grown division in 2016 inland from Hilton Head and now the plant is close to 10' and has bloomed the first time this year. Only light protection is needed to prevent total defoliation in borderline 8b/9a areas with trunk insulation necessary below 20ºF, and no protection is likely needed near the ocean where solid 9a and potentially 9b microclimates are the norm. Fertile soil and/or fertilizer and consistent moisture is a good idea in general north of Florida to boost hardiness and spring recovery time.

On Feb 9, 2017, dale3242 from Palm Coast, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

We are located along the coast in Northern Flagler County, FL. We planted our Bird of Paradise last year. It is blooming for the second time. It is quite beautiful and has proven to be trouble free so far. Our zone is 9B, because of our proximity to the ocean.

On Sep 22, 2013, normasloan from Buckhead Ridge, FL wrote:

Bought Bird of Paradise plant at wholesale nursery in Martin County, FL. Planted in Okeechobee, Fl about a month ago. Day three of blossom. Mulched and fertilized and watered heavily daily for first week. Then rained heavily for several days afterwards. Watered with shower on hose head setting by wedging between stalks for about 1/2 hour. My yard man suggested this, plus took us to nursery to pick out plants.

On May 20, 2011, morgrok from Milwaukee, WI wrote:

morgrok here or should I say morgram here again. My bird-of-Paradise update....I said I was going to get my now 23 year-old strelitzia to bloom again. Well, it's fixin' to do it. I have a stem! Earlier I attributed my difficulties to irregular watering. Actually that has not been the problem. I guess I always knew what the problem was, not enough nutrient intake. I always passed on feeding the thing but after eight years without flowering I had to face facts. My strelitzia has come around thanks to liquid plant food. Always keep in mind that the strelitzia is a gross feeder or a nutrient hog if you like. I once again look forward to seeing that spectacular flower later as we enter the summer. After an 8 year pause some family members were hesitant to believe my strelitzia is once again go... read moreing to bloom but it is. I am quite proud and I would not be at all surprised if my particular plant is one of the best mature specimens in the northeast part of our country.

On May 11, 2010, Jackie5_0 from Summerville, SC wrote:

I bought a small BOP (looekd about 2 years going by pics on here) last summer from a home improvment store, they advised me I could keep it outside but cover it on cold nights. Other sites had said it was hardy in 8b, just to mulch the base. We had a VERY harsh winter, 6' of snow, lots of frosty nights and the coldest since Ive been here. I covered it up most frosts, but it didnt seem to make it. Once it warmed up I cut it back and left it in the ground incase any parts survived.
I had put a fern in the line of sight to hide the ugly dead stumps and forgot about it. I was thrilled today when I was weeding I saw a new shoot about 4" long poking out of one of the stumps!!
I plan to dig it up and pot it too keep in the sunroom over the winter. I wondering though if I'll ever ... read morebe able to keep it out in the ground year round?

On Nov 13, 2009, morgram from Milwaukee, WI wrote:

My strelitzia is 21 years old but has only bloomed twice probably do to irregular watering on my part but I am hopeful I can get it to bloom again. Last time I transplanted it was back in 1997 into a big white container. It is now quite rootbound. The whole thing now weighs a ton and it would take a chainsaw to remove it from it's container. I did not plant it in 3 parts potting soil, peat and sand like they tell you too just 100% percent potting soil so I've always had a lot of leaves. It's still a pretty robust 21 year old strelitzia and I'm gonna get this sucka to flower again!

On Mar 24, 2009, Linda_CA from Riverside, CA wrote:

My S. reginae is approximately 15 years old, and is over 5 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. It's planted at the northwest corner of the house, and although was slow to get started, it now blooms continuously--and most of the flowers are doubles. It continues to flourish with minimum care...despite the Santa Ana winds that plague Southern California. It has survived winds of 70 mph. I have shared many offshoots with friends and family. One of my favorite plants.

On Oct 8, 2008, agentdonny007 from Las Vegas, NV (Zone 8b) wrote:

Beautiful plant! Adds tropical look to north/east exposure. Leaves burn too much with afternoon sun due to high light intensities in desert. May need protection on frosty nights but well worth the appeal:) I have grown this plant with little protection but it was near the wall of my house.

On Oct 12, 2007, orchid_time from Lakeville, MN wrote:

I grow my S. reginae in a pot in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. I grew it from seed back in late 1980s. It first set buds in an 8" pot after becomming root bound and left out on the patio till near frost conditions, was brought in-doors for the winter and bloomed all winter long. I eventually transplanted it up to a 16 to 18" pot, and the thing weight a ton to move, but would have over 30 blooms in a season. I divided it and down-sized the pot to a 12-14" pot, and now its movable again and still has lots of blooms.

On Jan 11, 2007, hesi from Auckland,
New Zealand wrote:

Hi, I have grown Strelitzia reginae and also the juncea and parvifolia for about the last 5 years in 60litre bags. All plants are grown by propagating divisions from large excavated clumps.
Success rate is about 95%, and most plants flower within 9 months.
I am currently producing seed off the plants, which has been successfully germinated(90% rate). The main requirement being bottom heat(25 C plus)
The main requirement for Strelitzia is sunlight. Too much shade gives lanky plants that flower less. Also they are frost intolerant but will generally handle any temperatures above that.
In my collection of about 2,500 plants, I have several white reginae, whereby the blue/purple petal is actually a pure white.
Has anyone come across this before, I have up... read moreloaded a photo.

On Apr 9, 2006, scottstang from Palmdale, CA wrote:

I live in Palmdale, CA, which is in the high desert of Los Angeles County. I have seen this plant growing here in Palmdale and in the neighboring city of Lancaster. In fact I've even seen blooms in the winter here. This is interesting in that it gets down into the 20's here and we recently had light snow. Luckily here in L.A. county they can be purchased quite inexpensively. This is one of my favorite plants!

On May 27, 2005, Kelli from L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) wrote:

Official flower of the city of Los Angeles.

Very easy to grow here. Blooms mainly in winter and spring in hot summer areas.

On Feb 9, 2005, njreis from Tiverton, RI wrote:

I have had my Bird of Paradise for 10 years now. Its in a big 14" pot. in the winter it's inside in front of a south facing window. It usualy folowers just after Christmas. In the summer it goes back out side on the deck in semi shade/sun. I usually cut the growth back every fall when I bring it inside so I can share the living room with it. I like it but it is a little to big! I would like to replace it with a dwarf form that I have read about. I have seen seeds for the dwarf form, but I don't want to have to wait 5 years for it to bloom again! Anyone know of a domestic supplier of the dwarf form?

On Jun 10, 2004, greyyhawkk from Seattle, WA wrote:

Palmbob -- where would one order the rare yellow-leafed variety?

On Nov 18, 2003, K5CENTS wrote:

I'm wondering why the leaves on my Bird of Paradise turn brown on the tips and curl. When they emerge, they are a beautiful light green. The plant was a gift from a friend, and is becoming quite large, growing in a south-facing window where it receives indirect/filtered light.

On Nov 17, 2003, nipajo from Dallas, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

My sister bought 4 seeds home from Hawaii, this year. I put mine in a pot and then forgot it. After I bought most of the plants back inside for the winter I noticed sprouts in the pot. They are still small but are very noticeable. one is just above the pot, am anxious to see the results.

On Sep 9, 2002, Baa wrote:

A large, evergreen, frost tender perennial from South Africa.

Has large, lance shaped, greyish-blue green, thick leaves borne on long stalks. Bears large, orange, green and purple half canoe shaped spathes with bright orange/yellow calyx and blue corollas.

Flowers mainly between December - May but I've seen it in flower throughout the year.

Likes a deep, fertile, well drained soil in sun or partial shade and dislikes too much sun during the hottest part of the day.

I've seen this grown outside all year in Southern England with a heavy mulch. Needs frost protection.

Sow seed at 65-70F, germination may be erratic. Expect to wait at least 3-4 years for the first flowers.