Sow the seeds of success with Illumine Training
sow... nurture... grow... your Bird of Paradise seeds
engage... inspire... grow... your people
|
|
 The distinctive orange tufted seeds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strelitzia reginae is an easy plant to grow in the UK. Plants do well in full sun to semi-shade, love a rich loamy soil (ordinary garden compost is ok) and plenty of water throughout the year. They respond well to regular feeding with a slow release fertiliser and yearly repotting with fresh compost. They prove to be very tolerant plants and will thrive in most soils and can survive with very little water once established. The plants are also wind resistant and grow well in coastal gardens. Strelitzias are sensitive to cold and require a sheltered position in areas with frost (which damages the flowers, leaves and roots). We recommend growing them in pots that can be moved indoors when temperatures fall.
From seed, plants given ideal conditions should flower within 3 years. In less optimum conditions this can take up to 7 years.
SOW YOUR SEEDS OF SUCCESS - Sow at any time of the year. Plant the seeds in a mix of equal parts silver sand and compost (about one handful of each should do).
Remove the orange tuft and push the seeds into the compost from above, with the area the orange tuft was removed from facing upwards and just visible at the top of the compost. The pot is best placed in a clear plastic bag in a heated propagator (A constant temperature of 25°C is most suitable for germination as low temperatures retard germination), on a warm windowsill or in the airing cupboard. Keep damp but not wet as this will cause the seeds to rot. Try not to disturb the soil as seeds may start to root before the leaves appear. Germination can be sporadic and under optimum conditions will germinate in about 3 months, but can take up to a year if temperatures fluctuate.
DEVELOP YOUR SEEDLINGS - Will look like a thick blade of grass when germinating and should be carefully potted into a small pot. Be careful not to disturb the other seeds to prevent damage to any roots. Can grow very quickly. Ensure they are protected from very strong sun and very cold weather. Keep moist but not wet and feed monthly in summer with a general liquid fertiliser.
GROW YOUR PLANTS - Can be placed outdoors in the summer but will need to be brought in out of the frost. Is suitable as a house or conservatory plant which will flower under normal UK conditions. Will require lots of water and give a weekly feed of general liquid fertiliser during the summer months. Can take up to seven years to flower from germination.
Mind Map detailing the germination and aftercare instructions for the Bird of Paradise (strelitzia reginae) - available as a downloadable PDF
^ Back to top
