how to move a bird of paradise plant

Start by first preparing the plant, then digging it out and moving it:

Water the roots well to help it cope with the shock of being moved.
Dig around the plant, going out about 12 inches (30 cm.) ...
Dig deeply to avoid cutting through roots.

When should I transplant my bird of paradise?

Wait until all signs of cold weather have left your area before transplanting the bird of paradise. You will have more success if you wait to do the transplant until spring or early summer. Dig around the bird of paradise to expose the root system. Cut off as few roots as possible when doing the digging.

How deep do bird of paradise roots go?

Cut Around the Roots

Dig straight down to a depth of at least 18 to 20 inches, which is the depth of most older bird of paradise root systems.

Can you cut and replant birds of paradise?

Bird of paradise propagation is not difficult and is most easily achieved by plant division. Propagating bird of paradise cuttings should take place in early spring by severing a piece of rhizome with a sharp, clean knife. Sprinkle some rooting hormone on the open cuts.

Do birds of paradise like full sun?

Give bird of paradise a spot in full sun for best growth and most flowers.

How do you dig up a bird of paradise?

Cut down your giant bird of paradise. Use a hand saw or chain saw, and cut it down to about 12 inches above the ground. You will then have room to dig and still have part of the plant to grip to pull it out of the soil.

What can I plant next to Bird of Paradise?

Companion Planting and Design

For taller plants try bougainvillea, Carolina jasmine, and Osmanthus or sweet olive shrub. Plant shorter flowers in the foreground, such as agapanthus, sea holly, red hot poker and alstromeria. Of course, bird of paradise is beautiful in its own container.

Do birds of paradise have invasive roots?

Bird of Paradise - invasive roots? The root system isn't the problem with the Nicolai its the girth of the trunk/s. The trunk width and basal structural roots will wreck your concrete. Keep it well away from concrete and they are fine.

How do I get rid of birds of paradise?

You will be handling sharp garden tools and toxic herbicides. Use garden shears and cut off the bird-of-paradise plant's foliage. This reveals the plant's numerous central stalks emerging from the soil. Discard or compost the cut foliage.

Do you deadhead birds of paradise?

According to the University of Hawaii, failure to properly deadhead bird of paradise flowers can result in a shrub that is completely covered in dead organic matter. ... Further, if you do not take the time to deadhead bird of paradise flowers, you are directly harming the aesthetics of the plant.

Do you prune birds of paradise?

Bird of paradise can be cleaned up and trimmed at any point, but serious pruning should wait until early spring. The goals of bird of paradise pruning are to remove old plant matter, thin the leaves, and take out damaged stems. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is one of those plants that you don't forget.

How big do birds of paradise get?

These species can grow to 30 feet tall and do not bloom until the plants are quite mature. But the large, 18-24 inch wide and 3-4 foot long, banana tree-like leaves are attractive enough on their own to make this an excellent interior foliage specimen for a very tropical look.

Can you grow bird of paradise in pots?

Choose a pot at least 400mm wide (or larger, depending on the size of your plant). Position in well-lit spot. Feed the plant fortnightly during spring and summer with Yates Thrive Houseplant Liquid Plant Food. ...

How do you take care of a bird of paradise indoors?

How to care for an indoor Bird of Paradise plant

Keep the plant in a sunny, brightly-lit spot.
Water when the surface of the soil feels dry.
Be careful not to over-water, and reduce watering during the cooler months.
When soil is completely dry, water enough to saturate the soil then not again until completely dried out.

Do birds of paradise like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds can be used as a fertilizer on bird of paradise plants, both the indoor and outdoor kind. ... If you do plant to add coffee grounds to your bird of paradise, or any other indoor or outdoor plant, do it only once every few months and only add a small amount.

How often should you water birds of paradise?

Water: Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Bird of Paradise can be sensitive to hard tap water.

How long does a bird of paradise plant live?

Strelitzia reginae is slow growing and can take three to five years to bloom and can be propagated by dividing old clumps. Giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) can live 50 to 150 years.

Do birds of paradise grow fast?

Bird of paradise is a rapidly-growing plant that needs to reach a certain size before it will bloom. Repot it every spring into a somewhat larger pot. A bird of paradise that is 3 to 4 feet tall grows well in a 10-inch pot.

What is the best fertilizer for bird of paradise?

Birds of paradise plants tend to be heavy feeders. They prefer a balanced fertilizer that has equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (1:1:1). Steer manure offers a natural option that provides this balance and makes a great bird of paradise fertilizer.

Are birds of paradise drought tolerant?

Bird-of-paradise are hardy, drought-tolerant plants that are easy to grow, especially in warm climates, and they are used extensively as ornamental landscape plants.

How often do bird of paradise grow new leaves?

The speed of Bird of Paradise growth in good conditions can be seen with roughly one new leaf each month during the growing seasons.

Do birds of paradise attract bugs?

Tiny Sucking Insects

In Aphids, mealybugs, scale and spider mites are all commonly seen on bird of paradise plants–particularly in hot, dry conditions. Spider mites and scale are especially common on indoor, potted plants.