ISU Extension News

Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915

3/20/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Bird of Paradise: A Bit of the Tropics in Our Homes

By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens

The common name of plants is often derived from the appearance of the foliage or flowers. For example, elephant's ear plants have very large, heart-shaped leaves that resemble the floppy ears of an elephant. The flowers on the perennial garden flower turtle-head look like small, pink heads that you might imagine peeking out of a tiny turtle shell. For some plants, you need to use a bit of imagination to find the connection. However, that is not the case with this week's Reiman's Pick – bird-of-paradise.

The flower on the bird-of-paradise, Strelitzia reginae, is unmistakable and spectacular with its unusual form, size and color. The large bloom resembles the head of a tropical bird with a beak and brightly colored plumage. The flower structure on the end of a 2- to 4-foot-long stalk is actually composed of several "sets" of flowers. The flowers emerge from a 6-inch-long, boat-shaped bract that forms the head and beak of a bird.

Bird-of-paradise have long, oblong, blue-green leaf blades that are 4 to 6 inches in width and are held up on long, strong petioles, or stalks. Because bird-of-paradise's leaves and other characteristics are similar to that of a banana, the bird-of-paradise was once classified in the banana family. However, botanists have assigned it to its own family, Strelitziaceae, along with only three other species.

Bird-of-paradise are typically large plants that bloom only when they are mature. They are most often seen in conservatory plantings or as specimen plants in large containers decorating atriums and lobbies of large hotels. The blooms are used to create colorful flower arrangements. When used as a cut flower, the bird-of-paradise will last a few weeks if the water is changed regularly.

Fortunately, there are varieties that are recommended for home environments. Dwarf types, such as 'Pygmaea' and S. reginae humilis, grow only 18 to 20 inches in height and are better suited for smaller rooms. Although the overall plant size is smaller on these types, they bear flowers nearly the same size as the standard types.

Bird-of-paradise bloom throughout the winter if given the right growing conditions. They require at least half a day of full sun to bloom. Although you might think a bird-of-paradise plant needs hot, tropical conditions, it prefers moderate temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F during the day and between 50 and 55 degrees F at night. Bird-of-paradise does, however, prefer tropical humidity and the foliage may need to be misted during dry winters. The soil should be kept moderately moist. Like many houseplants, bird-of-paradise can take a summer vacation outdoors and then be brought indoors before the first fall frost. They respond to regular fertilization, so apply a complete analysis, soluble fertilizer every two weeks from March through September.

Bird-of-paradise are part of the permanent plantings in the conservatory and the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens where they add color, form and texture to the landscape. They also bring a bit of tropical paradise to your home during the winter.

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Editors: Two color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 327K and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 286K.

Caption: Bird of paradise 1

Caption: Bird of paradise 2

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