Big Bird of Paradise
 

Sending up first flower bud ever,I bought this as a one gallon plant 18 years ago,been potted up at least 5 times into it's latest container of 27 gallons,2 years ago.Are these blooming now in the tropics?

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Mine are non stop all year long.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Yours in the ground,right?

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Yeah but not for long! I have been thinking about replacing that messy thing for years.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Nice! I've never seen them bloom in containers though. And as for blooming in the tropics, they do definitely bloom year round where they grow.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

congrats. I just saw some with a handful of blooms here inside in a store in colorado! in winter no less.

-Luke

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Thanks,I wish I knew the secrets to get more blooms on mine,I wish someday to learn the secrets of the horticulturists in getting bigger and more blooms more often,I don't think its just miracle grow they use!!!!LOL

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Just a guess but store bought container grown Giant Bird Of Paradise that are blooming are probably grown outdoors is ideal blooming conditions then sold as house plants to unknowing consumers. When my wife and I rented an apartment we bought a really big (or so we thought) GBOP and kept it inside next to a south west facing window hoping for a bloom. We did get white flies, fungus gnats, scale, but never a bloom. We would cart that thing outside for a bath and insect treatment once a month, but it never thrived and it never bloomed. Loved the look of the plant itself though. :)

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Apparently,they can get them to bloom at a lot less size than my 12ft tall plant,all the pictures I've seen has been huge plants,bigger than mine alot bigger than mine,I'd like to know how they can get them to bloom at a smaller size and not having to wait the 18 years like I've had too!Thats what I'm wanting to know!!!:goteam:

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Ideal lighting conditions and nutrients.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Any pics of your GBOP Mitchel? Mine is potted and about 4ft now, if I find a good spot it will go in the ground next year.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

yes ,I know,but which nutrients???

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Richard might know, he sells potted plants. Mine is in the ground and I've never fed it anything and it grows like crazy.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Plant it away from things that can be moved like stone or brick planters. They are super tough and hard to remove once established. The flowers make a huge sticky mess on the ground so consider that also when planting it.

This thing was only 4 or 5 feet tall 6 years ago. Now it fills the whole planter and is taller than the house. Actually much taller because I chopped down some of the bigger plants a few years ago that would now be around 15-20 feet tall. The only reason it's still here is the shade it provides in summer months.

Re: Big Bird of Paradise
 

Thanks, seems smarter to leave it potted then.