how to cut down a giant bird of paradise

There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You will then have room to dig and still have part of the plant to grip to pull it out of the soil. Always wear thick safety gloves when pruning because you will be working with sharp shears. Should I cut it back? Mulching the base of plants in colder areas may protect the crown until spring. Starting on an outer side of the plant that has at least a 5 feet of clearance; cut down and around a section of the plant / root ball (not too big about 1') with reciprocal saw. Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. Amazon's massive Labor Day sale launched early Q: My Mexican bird of paradise was gorgeous this year, the best ever. The flowers are now going to seed pods. Q. This large, upright plant adds a rich, tropical flair to your space as its glossy, banana-shaped leaves fan out. It may not be much faster with a Bird of Paradise. The White Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia alba, is a tree-like plant that can reach up to 33 feet (10 m) tall and is not suitable for a small garden. Step#2. Continue to water the transplant to keep the soil moist for the first three weeks. Try to get as much of the roots as possible, so adjust your digging depth and width as you feel the roots. Start to dig a circle around your giant bird of paradise plant with a spade. Keep bird of paradise (Strelitizia reginae) and white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) looking trim and tidy with regular pruning.Regularly tidying up the dead flowers and leaf debris also helps keep fungal diseases from getting established. Use hand-held pruning shears or a small tree saw to cut through the fleshy stalks. You can also tie a rope around it and pull it out with a truck. It will grow quite large outside, 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and will become ragged looking if not pruned often. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, North Dakota University Extension Service: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs. What you need to know about bird of paradise Name: bird of paradise, strelitzia , crane flower, bird’s tongue flower (Strelitzia reginae) Plant type: evergreen, forms a trunkless clump Height: to around 1.2m tall by 2–3m wide with age Foliage: similar to a small banana leaf but on a stem, very rigid, green to grey-blue. These plants also have large green leaves that can die and brown once blooming is over, so cut or pull any excess brown foliage. The GBOP is much harder to divide than the regular BOP because it’s so much bigger & tougher. These plants can easily grow to be up to 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter, so refrain from planting other flowers in the surrounding area. Some states, such as North Dakota, require this by law. We have cut several Cocos Palms down over the years and some we have cut out the centre of the stump and planted Bromies or succulents. All Rights Reserved. Got many of them, but was just impossible to get them … But, wait untill fall, when cooler temps prevail, or … Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Kanye: Kim talked me out of considering abortion. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-pruning.htm, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/cut-back-bird-paradise-40632.html, https://www.green.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/LNR-SOP-703-Pruning-Bird-of-Paradise.pdf, http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/bird-of-paradise.html, https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1898, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You will want to cut the spent bloom, which lacks the typical orange and blue colors, at the flower’s base. A pole saw would come in real handy, there nice to have around too. This article has been viewed 52,515 times. Use a spade, pick ax or reciprocating saw to help cut through the roots (you won’t be able to get them all). Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai) A crown of banana-like leaves atop a palm tree trunk, combined with huge, uniquely beautiful flowers, is deserving of the name, "Bird of Paradise tree." This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. The slow-growing Strelitzia juncea grows up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and has leaves that disappear over time, giving the plant appearance of a waterside reed or rush. Push down on the handle of the spade near the bottom to lift the giant bird of paradise out of the soil. A Bird of Paradise that is trimmed in this way will normally grow back within 1-2 blooming seasons if treated with water and fertilizer. Dig around and under root ball of plant as much as possible. You can also rock the plant back and forth to help free it. For more tips from our Horticulturalist co-author, including how to keep Bird of Paradise plants safe during frosts, keep reading! ... How to Split a Giant White Bird of Paradise Plant Bird of Paradise flowers won’t naturally shed dead stems after the flower is removed, so it’s important to remove as much of the stem as possible. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 52,515 times. Discard the plant, and fill your hole back in. You will then have room to dig and still have part of the plant to grip to pull it out of the soil. Always try to remove any dead foliage as close to the stump of the plant as possible to maintain the trimmed appearance of the plant. You can prune your Bird of Paradise easily when they’ve finished blooming! I would give it a little time and see if it wants to shoot again and then consider poison. If you are going to grow bird of paradise flowers, then you must know how to deadhead them. Anyway, i have some Giant bird of paradise trees and recently, over the past few days, one of the trees has been leaning over further and further. A giant bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia nicolai) can grow to a height between 15 and 30 feet and width of 15 feet. A giant bird of paradise should not grow back if you got the bulk of the root ball. I don’t have any BOP’s or GBOP’s here so unfortunately I can’t do a video for you. Consider cutting it progressively with a machete until you have it down to the stump. Drier soil is usually easier to cut through than extremely wet soil. Start to dig a circle around your giant bird of paradise plant with a spade. The slow-growing Strelitzia juncea grows up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and has leaves that disappear over time, giving the plant appearance of a waterside reed or rush. If your plant is in a pot, bring it indoors during very cold temperatures to prevent freezing of the leaves and flowers. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. What you need to know about bird of paradise Name: bird of paradise, strelitzia , crane flower, bird’s tongue flower (Strelitzia reginae) Plant type: evergreen, forms a trunkless clump Height: to around 1.2m tall by 2–3m wide with age Foliage: similar to a small banana leaf but on a stem, very rigid, green to grey-blue. Contact your local utility companies, such as gas, electric and cable, if you are going to dig further than 12 inches to get rid of your giant bird of paradise. Be careful not to break the handle. Start with the basics and make sure you have a solid pair of gardening gloves and a sharp pair of pruning shears ready to go. If necessary, call in a tree remover specialist. Take the plant out of the hole and shake off the excess soil. Situate the plant into its new hole and begin filling the hole with soil. After trimming, give your tool blades a five-minute soak in a 50:50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water to sanitize them. This article has been viewed 52,515 times. Hi Pj – The Giant Bird Of Paradise is a beautiful plant. Birds Of Paradise - My bird of paradise plants froze over the winter and I cut them all the way back, getting rid of ... Q. Q. Bird Of Paradise Leaf - I have one leaf on my bird of paradise that has a point, all the other leaves are rounded. Maintaining tropicals can be a PITA. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. When using the saw, work slowly. Use a sharpened and sterilized pruning knife to cut the rhizome of your giant white bird of paradise plant into individual single-stemmed sections. Drag the tarp to the plant's new planting site, being careful not to disrupt the root system. The flowers are now going to seed pods. For thick stalks, a small tree saw works well. Bird of paradise plants are beautiful, but they can get out of control. Try to maintain the shape of the flower in a circle to ensure easy access to all sides of the flower. Pruning and Trimming Keep giant bird of paradise looking tidy by trimming out the dead leaves, leaf stalks and flowers throughout the year. When cut the plant starts to block off that area and that will prevent the poison being transported further if the application is late. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It took about 3 years before the plant was dead, and a few more years before the stump rotted out. But to cover with just soil won't be enough. Bird of Paradise, also known as Crane flower, Crane lily or Wild Banana, is native to southern Africa. I have a stamped asphalt courtyard, and my giant bird of paradise has raised the asphalt so much that I cannot open a set of doors and had to have my gate trimmed up. Cannas are also popping right through it. Instructions: Step#1. Got many of them, but was just impossible to get them … Red Bird of Paradise flowers are very hardy and can handle heavy pruning two times per year if the plant is healthy. It is a part of the tree with one set of flowers, and four huge leaves, which all come up together out of the ground. Dig about 12 to 18 inches, and cut in under the root ball. Trim a giant bird of paradise plant properly so that it looks appealing. Step#3. References. Use an herbicide stump and root killer (provided you plan to stop the plant from growing completely) and soak all of the new cuts with the herbicide. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. "I needed to understand the process of dead-heading my Bird of Paradise. Use common sense and prioritize your safety and integrity of your tools and truck over removing the plant. I dug out a heap of mature (30ft high) giant birds of paradise earlier this year. As always, Floralife has some practical Bird of Paradise care and handling tips for … If you have even 2 or 3 dead blooms, removing them can help the remaining flowers live longer. Jeff Bezos' ex-wife now the richest woman in the world. For more tips from our Horticulturalist co-author, including how to keep Bird of Paradise plants safe during frosts, keep reading! By using our site, you agree to our. Make sure that each single-stemmed section has at least four root shoots. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Also, when you cut into the plant to get poison further inside, you have to apply the Round-up within about 30 seconds. A giant bird of paradise, also known as a … I moved from California to Arizona in June & miss my 20′ GBOP. Pups sprouting from around the plant's base can also be removed. The stalks can be as wide as 6 inches (15 cm. Always be careful on the ladder! Cut down your giant bird of paradise. If your plant is too dense and crowded with dead foliage and growth for you to reach the center, use a large pruning saw to cut the entire plant about 1 foot (0.30 m) off of the ground. Its a nightmare and I feel your pain! Q: My Mexican bird of paradise was gorgeous this year, the best ever. I dug out a heap of mature (30ft high) giant birds of paradise earlier this year. If it gets more dense then you like, you can cut out select stalks any time of year at the soil line using a pair of disinfected, hand-held pruning shears. Whether you are having difficulties with your giant bird of paradise plant, or it’s time for a change, the best method to get rid of it is by physically removing it from your garden or yard. It’s okay to begin pruning before all of the blooms on the plant have died. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. It is relatively hardy and adapts to a wide spectrum of light conditions from direct … Leaves of a white bird of paradise can become chewed up from wind damage, making the plant unattractive. A hard prune should be done every few years as a reaction to the bird of paradise's growth rate. Do not use hedge trimmers on your Bird of Paradise because this can cause irreversible damage to the plant. The goals of bird of paradise pruning are to remove old plant matter, thin the leaves, and take out damaged stems. Stem Rot In Birds Of Paradise - We have two giant birds of paradise which grew to over 12 feet tall in the past two years. The Bird of Paradise flower is brightly colored with spiky-looking blooms that are eye catching and exciting in any garden. The Bird of Paradise flower is brightly colored and can grow extremely large as long as you prune it after it has finished blooming. This will give you the space to clear out old foliage and let new growth begin. The red bird of paradise dies back to the ground at temperatures below freezing. If the plant isn’t growing well throughout the year, prune at least half of the stems to the ground to allow the plant to grow healthy. Poisons will short cut the process, but there's also a downside to poison. From these flowers seed is generated and pollinated by a host of insects. If your plant is simply growing too large, remove the outer edges of the plant by cutting the stem and leaf to the base. However, you can thin the plant out or cut back for size by cutting off the largest stalks at ground level. The giant bird has large purple and white flowers. Lawn Basics. Failure to remove dead leaves can result in rotting and fungal infections that can kill the plant completely, so make sure you dispose of the dead foliage completely! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The giant bird of paradise grows smaller shoots at the bottom. Lawn Maintenance. When to Put Crabgrass Preventer Down Lawn Maintenance. The White Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia alba, is a tree-like plant that can reach up to 33 feet (10 m) tall and is not suitable for a small garden. ), so you’ll need a good grip. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Both Yellow and Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers should be pruned sparingly when flowers and stems begin to die. When to Fertilize Grass in Florida Growing Grass. What Causes Piles of Dirt in Your Yard? Its a nightmare and I feel your pain! I cut them down to the ground, and tried (with help) digging up the roots. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Use a spade, pick ax or reciprocating saw to help cut through the roots (you won’t be able to get them all). Try to place it in an area protected from strong winds. Bird of paradise can be cleaned up and trimmed at any point, but serious pruning should wait until early spring. Cut down your giant bird of paradise. If you hit a particularly dense area, use your pruning shears to pre-cut some of the stems to make the area a little easier to cut through. Water the newly planted giant bird of paradise well, making sure the water reaches down into the root system. Remove the bird of paradise broken stalks during pruning. Should I cut it back? Each flower is multi-colored and features blue, white, orange and yellow. I haven't seen a reference anywhere as to giant bird roots being a problem, so it may be that the asphalt surface is the whole problem. These instructions were very clear.". Q. Mexican Yellow Bird Of Paradise - I want to take a cutting of a yellow bird of paradise and plant it. For dense plants, use a pruning saw to cut the entire plant to about 1 foot off the ground. This helps your plant to look clean and colorful year round! Pull up on the plant as well. You often need to cut down big trunks or canes of plants. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. These flowers can grow to be extremely large, and they require regular maintenance to stay healthy. I did it with a Bougainvillea, also covered the stump so no light got to any new leaves trying to come through. Can this work, and how ... Q. Transplanting Giant Bird Of Paradise - I have three giant birds of paradise in my front yard that have grown to over 9 feet to the ... Q. Bird Of Paradise Not Growing - My plants are not growing at all. Tame an out-of-control Bird of Paradise using a pruning saw. The Bird of Paradise plant, or strelitzia, is a large and gorgeous foliage plant that looks just as majestic indoors in a pot, as it does outside in the garden.This plant is famous for its round palm-like leaves and its brightly-coloured architectural flowers that bloom to look like tropical birds – earning the strelitzia the household name of ‘Bird of Paradise’ plant. Fill the hole halfway and stomp down on the soil to remove air pockets. Step 4 Prepare your giant white bird of paradise … Place them in a compost bin or throw them away in the garbage. How to Remove the Roots of a Bird of Paradise Plant. A giant bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia nicolai) can grow to a height between 15 and 30 feet and width of 15 feet. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Compare this to a regular bird paradise plant that only reaches about 5 feet in height, and you understand why it is called “giant.” Whether you are having difficulties with your giant bird of paradise plant, or it’s time for a change, the best method to get rid of it is by physically removing it from your garden or yard. Is ... Q. Bird Of Paradise - What is best way to cut off dead flower and leaves Q. Bird Of Paradise - How long does the bloom usually last. Cut it in short sections from top to desired height. Bird of paradise can be cleaned up and trimmed at any point, but serious pruning should wait until early spring. Use chain saw to cut plant stems down to about a foot above the ground. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Last Updated: April 23, 2020 Wait until the soil is mostly dry to get rid of your giant bird of paradise plant. White bird of paradise forms giant clumps. Use a hand saw or chain saw, and cut it down to about 12 inches above the ground. When the main trunk gets too big, it is cut down and the smaller shoots are allowed to take its place. Use a hand saw or chain saw, and cut it down to about 12 inches above the ground. The Bird of Paradise is considered the queen of the indoor plant world. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Prune-a-Bird-of-Paradise-Plant-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Bird-of-Paradise-Plant-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Prune-a-Bird-of-Paradise-Plant-Step-1.jpg\/aid9830044-v4-728px-Prune-a-Bird-of-Paradise-Plant-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"