Have you done everything, but your Strelitzia is no longer blooming? Find out here what factors need to be taken into account when caring for the exotic as a delicate houseplant!
This is an extravagant exotic that got its name in honor of the wife of King George III. received. However, due to their shape and colors resembling the bird of paradise, strelitzias are also known as bird of paradise flowers. Although they mainly grow in South Africa and the Canary Islands, these ornamental plants are also suitable as houseplants. This is because they are not particularly demanding when it comes to plant care. However, there are certain conditions under which the plant can develop its full blooms. For this reason, inexperienced florists can sometimes find it frustrating when their strelitzias fail to produce flowers. It is therefore important to first identify the causes so that the appropriate measures can be taken. Here's some useful information to help you if you're dealing with this too.
Your Strelitzia is not blooming – what could be the reason?
Some of the most common reasons for missing flowers include poor lighting conditions, watering, fertilization and the age of the plant. It loves the sun's rays, but should be grown in indirect light and room temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius in summer. On the other hand, insufficient light is also an important influencing factor and a Strelitzia will not bloom if there is not enough lightSunlight floods the room. In order for the flowers to develop, at least 4 to 6 hours of direct light is required, even in living rooms. The following special features must also be taken into account:
- Strelitzias generally prefer well-drained and nutrient-rich potting soil that is moist but not overwatered.
- Regular watering is important during the growing season, while slightly drier conditions would be acceptable during the dormant period.
- In addition, bird of paradise flowers only bloom when they are fully grown and have formed a large clump. This could even take up to 8 years.
- The Strelitzia does not bloom in summer, but rather from autumn to spring.
- Accordingly, young plants rarely produce flowers, and when they do, they should not be repotted or otherwise disturbed.
In principle, you could encourage mature bird of paradise flowers to bloom more by using fertilizers high in potassium and phosphorus, as well as low in nitrogen. The lower room temperatures in winter could also contribute to this, which again applies more to older specimens. Since Strelitzias have no trunk, they can also flower outside as potted plants, but they cannot tolerate frost. Otherwise, there are other steps you can take to enjoy tropical colors at home.
What to do to keep the magnificent bird of paradise flowers thriving?
If you are aiming for faster results, you should make sure that the plant is ready to bloom when purchasing. As already written, flowering only begins when the bird of paradise flowers have reached at least 3 years of age. In the meantime, however, you can also enjoy their lush and banana-like plant leaves. So patience is a key factor when growing such plants at a young age, but you can also support plant growth in the following ways:
- After purchasing, wait until the plant has adapted to your room conditions before repotting it. If it is actively blooming and growing healthily, transplanting is not recommended. Only after that can you do this, namely after the plant has taken root and developed dense foliage.
- Your Strelitzia will stop blooming, even if it becomes too big for the pot. In such cases, transplanting would make sense.
- You should also not plant bird of paradise flowers too deep and leave the top roots visible on the soil surface for it to bloom.
- Another option is to promote Strelitzia plant growth by imitating their natural ones. To do this, you should provide a constant room temperature and higher humidity like in the tropics. In addition, sudden temperature changes and cold or warm drafts should be avoided.
- Also make sure that the houseplant gets enough sunlight in the room and change the location if necessary. On warm days you can also take the plant outside for a few hours.
- As for fertilization, phosphorus promotes flowering, with fertilizers with an NPK 10-30-10 being preferable.
- Water the plant in a balanced manner depending on dryness and season and, if possible, use a pot with drainage for it.
- To keep pests away, spray the plant occasionally with neem oil.
If you follow all of these tips, you will be able to enjoy the flowers of this extraordinary ornamental plant more often.
