« View Post
Photos

Oops! Leave without saving?

If you leave this page, the information you have entered will not be saved!
Are you sure you want to leave this page?

Leave this page Stay on this page

Hometalk.com

  • Sign Up
  • or
  • Log In
  • Professionals
  • Community
    • All Members
    • Professionals
    • Bloggers
  • About
    • About Hometalk
    • Blog
    • FAQ
    • Guidelines
    • Resources
    • Support
    • Press
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Following
  • All Topics
    • Cleaning & Organization
    • Crafts
    • Design & Décor
    • DIY Projects
    • Gardening
    • Home Maintenance & Repairs
    • Outdoor Living
    • Painting
    • Remodeling
    • Repurposing & Upcycling
    See More Topics »
  • Questions
    • All Questions
    • Open Questions
    • Unanswered Questions
  • Clips
Post & Ask
Join Now

Get advice, inspiration and feedback on all your home & garden projects!

0
Becky H
Becky H Tampa, FL on Jul 28, 2012
Like Clip

Birds are coming out!

The Birds of Paradise are just now beginning to bloom. A landscaper/lawn care company that services my neighbor's yard remarked, last week, that generally one had to choose between blooms and a nice looking plant. He couldn't believe I'd found a location for my Bird of Paradise where I could have both.
  • Like Clip
    The first two blooms of this season. If you look closely, you can see the promising spikes preceding new blooms.
  • Like Clip
    Look for the pink spikes/buds; this is just a few of those on the plant.
Post Comment | Like | Clip | Share
614 Views
16 Comments
  • Donna Dixson Buford, GA
    aww man those are beautiful
    on Jul 28, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan S Fredericksburg, VA
    They sure are Becky - you should be very proud!!
    on Jul 28, 2012 · Like 1
  • Becky H Tampa, FL
    Thank you 4S and Susan S. It looks like it'll have about 15 or more blooms before the end of its season. Since it only blooms once a year, it sure pays to have a decent looking plant too.
    on Jul 28, 2012 · Like 2
  • Angela L Harlem, GA
    Gorgeous!!
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 1
  • Sharron W Memphis, TN
    Oh wow! these are awesome!
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 1
  • Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL
    So what is your secret, Becky? I planted a couple of nice-sized birds last year and have seen no sign of a bloom.
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 1
  • Becky H Tampa, FL
    Douglas, did the nursery tell you how old your Birds were when you purchased them? I've always heard the birds require 7 years to mature before blooming, and that certainly has held true here. Outside of that, they're planted at the edge of a well elevated oak tree canopy w/the bright light reflected onto them by the cement driveway on one side. They're fertilized 2ce a year, and I water them 1ce a week or as needed. They're well established now, reaching 5' of height...........so you know they're well over 7 yrs. old.

    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 1
  • Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL
    It sounds like you have the perfect light conditions. Mine are in more sun, which may be the problem. Don't know how old they were, but they were in three gallon pots and definitely ready to be moved up to a larger size. They seem otherwise happy, so I'll just have to practice patience.
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 2
  • Becky H Tampa, FL
    That's about the size mine were when I planted them about 15 yrs. ago. They didn't bloom for years. I almost threw a neighborhood party when the first bloom appeared!

    8-)

    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 2
  • Sherrie S Debary, FL
    Becky H, mine are over 14 years old and will probably have to be 100 before they bloom. I am so jealous. They are planted in full sun.
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 0
  • Sharron W Memphis, TN
    @Becky....That seriously made me laugh out loud! Neighboehood Party...HaHaHa
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 1
  • Becky H Tampa, FL
    Sherrie S., That's weird! I can't imagine a Bird being that mature and never blooming. What a disappointment.
    on Jul 29, 2012 · Like 2
  • Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL
    @Sherrie, I really did not want to hear that you have waited 14 years for a bloom. If I have to wait that long, they might come out. The foliage is nice, but not THAT nice.
    on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
  • Angela L Harlem, GA
    LOL @ Douglas! Patience is a virtue!!!! hehehe....just not one that I have!!!
    on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 0
  • Sherrie S Debary, FL
    The non blooming birds are way back in the backyard so they just look tropical & green. Douglas, I'm not giving up. Becky H, what do you feed your plants?
    on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 1
  • Becky H Tampa, FL
    Sherrie, I feed it the Osmacote (sp?) for flowers and veges. The soil it's in has to be somewhat acid, since it's under the canopy edge of an oak tree. I don't do anything partiularly special for it, beyond what I do for my other plants (ie. insect control, acid lovers, roses, etc.). I know the lack of blooms is disappointing, but the vase shape of this plant is nice, and the foliage is unique and tropical. I sure wouldn't give up on it!!
    on Jul 30, 2012 · Like 2

NOTE: You can drag and drop your photos to reorder them
Required
Comment Saving...

Related Posts

  • Garden Planter Dresser
  • My wheelbarrow planter
  • My hubby spent an hour at Lowes figuring out how to make this..I love it
  • 9 Likes

    The Pond Store Wendy Ann Short Shelly G Teresa D Jeanette S Angela L Susan S Jeanette Country Design Style Donna Dixson

Related Boards

  • Amy Hoffman
    Dream Yard
    by Amy Hoffman
  • Gloria Gehring
    Yard project
    by Gloria Gehring
  • Kayandycote
    Gardening and Yard
    by Kayandycote

Related Topics

Gardening

Recent Questions »

  • Jerry Mintz
    How to keep squirrls out of my flo...
    4 minutes ago
  • Alice G
    Fuchsia Question
    18 minutes ago 5 answers
  • Have a question?
    Ask now & get answers»
Back
to top
Feedback