Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise flower

The Strelitzia is a beautiful tropical plant that originates from South Africa.
In many species such as the Strelitzia reginae it also produces beautiful flowers (bird of paradise flowers) that look a lot like a bird of paradise, its name actually gives it away.
It can be placed both indoors and outdoors, provided it does not get colder than 5 degrees, but it remains a tropical plant.

Watering the Strelitzia Nicolai - Regenae

For almost all plants, watering is an important part of the plant's survival and growth. The Strelitzia is certainly no exception! In this chapter, you will find all the necessary information so that you can provide your flower reed with moisture in the right way.

Summer

In the summer, the Strelitzia (reginae - nicolai) must be kept moist, especially when it is outside in the heat and sunlight. The root ball must be thoroughly moistened during the summer, sometimes twice a day. On less warm days, this can be skipped for a day. Keeping the root ball moist is so important because otherwise the Strelitzia draws moisture from its leaves, which makes it dry and eventually causes it to die. Of course, we must prevent this.

Winter

In the winter months the strelitzia needs less water. You can see this best by sticking your finger in the soil, if it is still moist then it still has enough water, if it is too dry you can best water the strelitzia.
Before you buy a Strelitzia it is very important that you know that it is not winter hardy and therefore cannot overwinter outside

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the palm a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying the Strelitzia

Spray the Strelitzia weekly in spring/autumn, or in the summer evenings, with water. During the day the leaves would be damaged by the sunlight. This is because the drops on the leaf concentrate the light into a hot center, which burns the leaves.
Spraying has beneficial effects for the Strelitzia. It removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to absorb sunlight better. This makes them more beautiful. It also repels pests.

Water system

Are you using vulcastrat with a water meter? Then completely different watering rules apply! With this system you should water the palm once a week until the water meter moves. Go for a small meter reading, the smaller the better. It indicates when there is TOO MUCH water in the pot. So optimal would be to stop watering just before it reads. In the winter you can even water once every 2 weeks instead of every week. Vulcastrat is special in that it contains nutrients that promote the growth of the canna.

Where to place the Strelitzia Nicolai or the Regenae

For many plants and flower reeds it is important to determine the right place where it can stand best. A lot or little sun, sheltered from the wind, in the shade at certain sun positions… this all makes a difference for the development of the plant. In this chapter you will find what is best for the Strelitzia Nicolai or the Regenae.

Light

The Strelitzia Nicolai or the Regenae do like a bit of light, they remain a tropical plant, but they could also be placed in a place where there is less light, but of course the growth will then be slower.
You can also buy the Strelitzia Nicolai or the Regenae to place outside, but this is only possible in the spring and summer months.
It must be able to overwinter frost-free

Heat

Strelitzias do like some warmth, they come from the rainforest of course.
A warmer place will therefore also ensure faster growth of the Strelitzia plants.
These places are difficult to find in the Netherlands, so we recommend that you place it outside in a sheltered place, as this can quickly save a few degrees!

Wind

The Strelitzias can be placed in the wind, but they don't like it very much and their leaves can tear. They also have to go inside more quickly if they are in a place in the wind.
We therefore recommend placing the plants freely near a wall or fence.

Temperature requirements

Minimum temperature during the day: 8 ℃
At night at least 2 ℃

Repotting Strelitzia, why and when?

Repotting a Canna - flower reed whose root ball has grown through has a few advantages. Namely, the palm grows faster when the roots have the space, and the palm with a larger root ball can also withstand lower temperatures better. It can then absorb moisture from the soil better and is therefore stronger and more stable.

General rules

When the Canna flower reed has rooted (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it, and then in the spring. If it is always indoors, it does not matter when it is repotted. If it is outside, then it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we do advise against it in the autumn and winter, because then it does not have the chance to root optimally and grow well. This can make it somewhat weak, and perhaps suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Canna flower reed, choose a pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot for better moisture control. The Canna flower reed will thank you for this. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean nutrient soil. This type of soil ensures that the canna roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Try to get a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Furthermore, it is no problem to plant the Canna in the open ground, as long as it is in a good place, with enough sunlight, little wind and the palm is protected at extremely low temperatures (see 'Location'). We also recommend pouring a bag of hydro grains under the root ball.

Proper feeding of the Strelitzia is important

Feeding the Strelitzia is important, especially during spring and summer. It is not enough to give the Strelitzia good soil, it also needs to be fed. This ensures that the entire condition of the Strelitzia flower reed improves, both the core, the root ball and the leaves. You can mainly read it from the leaves, which are then stronger and deeper green in color. But it does not only apply to the leaves. Pokon is often recommended by other shops, but we strongly advise against it, because it can be harmful in the long term, due to bad chemical substances that it contains.

Florentus is a product based on natural nutrients from many different sources, a mix of organic, vegetable acids and pure seaweed concentrates. It is the perfect 'fertilizer' for plants. Your Strelitzia is very grateful for this nutrition and will reward you with shiny deep green leaves and healthy strong roots.

If you want to give your Strelitzia that little bit of extra luxury, we also recommend supplementing Florentus with Ultra focus. This provides a few extra useful nutrients that Strelitzia loves. They are not super essential, but they do help with root growth and extra health and strength of the palm.