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Lagniappe · 05-19-2007, 06:19 PM

Hi Patrick,
We keep several of these as house plants. Our oldest bloomed last year and was so stressed that we thought we would loose it . It sent out several pups and drooped to the floor (we had to tie it to the stairwell to keep it upright.).
Now it is perking up and putting on new leaves . I had to treat it for mealybugs today. These usually don't attack my plants unless they are neglected and I have forgotten to water this one for several weeks.
All of ours are potted with styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot covered with fabric (burlap , cheesecloth....) and filled with good potting soil amended with rice hulls or perlite. We let the soil dry at least an inch from the surface between waterings and add fertilizer sparingly in the spring.
During the winter, we supplement lighting with two 100 watt florescent bulbs (screw in). And these are in those crazy cheap clip light fixtures.

05-19-2007, 06:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lagniappe Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,111 BananaBucks : 245,978 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,378 Times Was Thanked 1,402 Times in 558 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 535 Times	Re: Potted Giant bird of paradise care? Hi Patrick, We keep several of these as house plants. Our oldest bloomed last year and was so stressed that we thought we would loose it . It sent out several pups and drooped to the floor (we had to tie it to the stairwell to keep it upright.). Now it is perking up and putting on new leaves . I had to treat it for mealybugs today. These usually don't attack my plants unless they are neglected and I have forgotten to water this one for several weeks. All of ours are potted with styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the pot covered with fabric (burlap , cheesecloth....) and filled with good potting soil amended with rice hulls or perlite. We let the soil dry at least an inch from the surface between waterings and add fertilizer sparingly in the spring. During the winter, we supplement lighting with two 100 watt florescent bulbs (screw in). And these are in those crazy cheap clip light fixtures. Last edited by Lagniappe : 12-13-2009 at 02:43 AM.