Sailfish

I have a large white bird(approx 12-14') that decided to start growing at a right angle.

Can these plants be topped?

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Fcastro

I would imagine so. My Orange birds got cut down to the ground and grew back.

Fcastro

I would imagine so. My Orange birds got cut down to the ground and grew back.

barna

I suppose the one you mean is Strelitzia nicolai. There are two more species of large bird-of-paradise (S. alba and S. caudata) but mines are still small and I have have few experience with tehm

Regarding my S. nicolai they has been frozen back two times and basally re-grown with many suckers.
You can let it free-suckering ( I am sure it will do in some months) and then cut the main steam.

Bananaman88

You should safely be able to cut it back just below where it has decided to grow at an angle. Did it get bent by the wind or have something fall on it that would suddenly cause it to do this? Strelitzias grow just like bananas, cannas, heliconias, etc. in my experience. They push each new leaf out from the center of the stem. Your first new leaf after cutting will probably have the tip removed but after that the leaves should emerge fully formed. Good luck!

Sailfish

it was lying on its side, in a pot, over a fence for a couple years.

Thanks for the input everyone.I shoulda put some thought into it.....these plants are indestructable.....whether you want them to be or not

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