I think Carolssis is thinking of Mexican brid of paradise (Cesalmina) not Strelizia Nicoli. I garden in Phoenix and I have several of them growing in pots in the afternoon shade but I have seen them growing aroung older houses to some enormous heights even in the sun. I think that if you like them you should give them a try. Good gardening Rodica

WOW! We must be so very lucky to be in the DEEP SOUTH, (Nashville is NOT THE DEEP SOUTH). No need for crow bars, unless the plant is in your neighbor's car...We've divided our "Grandfather BoP" 6 times, and never had a failed attempt. We use a "sharp-shooter" shovel, many utility workers are cursed by having one of these. We find a "division-natural" in the plant's base...place the sharpshooter at the soil level and push DOWN. Now we have a clay,soil mix not the friendliest of soil conditions, but several push-jabs, render a brand-new baby to our family...that we do not have to send to college or worry if it's diseased or pregnant... Place in a large, 5 gallon, rocks in bottom, mix of potting, mulch, and top soil to the green stems, water, ONCE a week thoroughly....do not over water,. Soon you will witness nature loving your plant...here we prefer the SOUTHERN side of the home for permanent and temporary nurseries. Protect from freezes with cover AND light bulb....It's work with a huge payoff. At times Twins, and even Triplets from the same stalk!!!. Best of luck. Be well. Yandi

I've heard about them being zone pushed in Sacramento. In a protected area with some hardscape warmth, or with some babying protection-wise when hard freezes hit, they will survive. They are very quick growers, so they can recover from damage is a shorter amount of time than many plants. They may not even get enough damage during milder winters to set them back all that much. But they probably have a lot of damaged leaves during the big dips. A clump probably helps protect the inner areas, too.

Cut the leaf off. It cannot be saved so I'd cut it off ASAP. I had the giant white BOP years ago and got tired of dragging it indoors and outside for summer. Much too big for a houseplant IMHO. After a few years I finally let it outside one winter to let Jack Frost take it to the great compost heap in the sky. The regular BOP (Strelitzia reginae) is a lot smaller and may bloom for her. Still a good sized houseplant though.