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Container Gardening Garden Clinic garden

Bird of Paradise (Orange)

5 years ago

I had a previous thread but can't find it to post pic updates for some reason.

I have 2 Birds of Paradise that have/had some major leaf curl. They are in wooden pots which I feel dry out pretty quickly. The summer here has also been pretty hot and very dry. Here's what I've been doing.

I have Miracid for my Gardenia and learned BoP's like acidic soil. With one treatment I've noticed a difference, however you will see from my pics that the leaves look warped and weird. The Miracid I started last week and the leaves have been warped for a while now. I've heard BoP's also like to be fertilized a lot during the growing season. If any experts could be willing to tell me how often to fertilize, that'd be great! I want to give them the best growing conditions possible. They are in their 2nd year in those pots. I'm willing to maybe switch them to a different potting mix as well. Maybe Al's Gritty Mix or the 5-1-1?

As far as that goes, any help is very welcome.

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Comments (6)

Embothrium
5 years ago
But apparently the problem appears to be a need for more watering, right? Also if you have been having these inside most of the year and then putting them out into hours of full outdoor light during the warmest time of the year you may be seeing some effects from that.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
This plant does not require acidic soil and pH requirements for container grown plants tend to be overstated anyway, as nutritional issues are addressed by fertilization. Also likes a consistently moist (not wet) soil and will do best out of direct sunlight.

How often to fertilize is your choice. Many container gardeners will fertilize weakly (half to quarter strength) with every watering....some with alternate waterings; some fertilize weekly and some only on a monthly basis.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
it sure looks stressed.. and imo.. fert is NEVER a response to stress ... and definitely.. if you are applying it to stressed leaves ...

i would insure it is fully and properly watered ... perhaps even putting it in a tub and wetting not only the media.. but the wood ...

and then shove it in full bright shade for a month ... and leaving it alone.. but for watering it ... WHEN IT NEEDS IT ... insert finger and find out ... and after that much water.... it might be a long time.. before it needs more ...

part of your problem.. might be that the wood is wicking water out of your media ... this is one of the reasons.. i would have found a plastic pot that fit inside the wood pot .. what they call.. a pot in pot system ....

i would focus on the new emerging leaf.. to see what its current condition is .... that will be a better indication than the old leaves ...

ken
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User
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. If it helps, they have been outside since warm weather started. I keep reading full sun for these guys. Is it more shaded because of being in a pot? I’m going to look at repotting them then. The wood pots are pretty but I’d rather have the plant.
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Embothrium
5 years ago
Grows in the open in California and Hawaii but that is plants that have been out in the sun the whole time. Indoor-outdoor specimens on the other hand spend most of their time at much lower light levels, are damaged therefore when suddenly stuck into full outdoor light.
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User
Original Author
5 years ago
So upon closer inspection, it seems like the warped leaves are almost...fused together. I don't want to risk damaging the plant any further. Is this indicative of watering/light issues? I went ahead and moved them to a spot where it gets midday shade.
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