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Old 12-05-2010, 10:28 PM   #10 (permalink)
Planter56
Kurt
 
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Location: Buffalo New York
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Name: Kurt
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Default Re: bird of paradice

Hey Rae,

It sounds like you have the giant BOP that gets white flowers. Unless you can get a really really big strong guy to move it about. I would give it to someone who can take care of something that big in a green house. The giant BOP will really get way to big for anyone to have it in a pot. You can't plant it outside because, it would just die from the freeze. What you would want to get is a plant of Strelitza reginae, which is the regular BOP and a much more manageable plant in size and weight. What you have I think is Strelitza nicoli which is the Giant BOP. The new fad of getting a GBOP I think is running it's course as people find out how big that type really gets.

Try you local nursery for the regular BOP, usually call either orange bop or yellow bop. Either/or I would just find a nice home for the GBOP


One thing about BOP they do like to be moist, but not sopping wet, and when growing feed with a regular 20/20/20 full strength once a week. They like to be pot bound. As for dividing, don't even think about it. They do not like being divided at all and will either die or not flower for a very very long time. (they like to sulk......:O)

One other thing. There is a variety out that called Strelitzia humilis. It is a dwarf and only grows about 3' high. Might be something to look for

Last edited by Planter56 : 12-05-2010 at 10:35 PM. Reason: adding info
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