how to cut down a giant bird of paradise

If necessary, call in a tree remover specialist. If your plant is in a pot, bring it indoors during very cold temperatures to prevent freezing of the leaves and flowers. … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Bird of paradise plants are beautiful, but they can get out of control. White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai), also known as giant bird of paradise, grows in warm, humid climates and can grow as tall as 30 feet, with huge, flat leaves that resemble paddles arranged in fan. 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. It's much easier to buy a bird of paradise plant or cutting rather than to start the plant from seed, but if you have patience it can be done. Fill the hole halfway and stomp down on the soil to remove air pockets. Look for brown, dead flowers, and cut the stem of these growths as close as possible to the base of the plant. 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. My giant bird of paradise froze in Feb, we just cut it down last weekend. Q. Bird Of Paradise Leaf - I have one leaf on my bird of paradise that has a point, all the other leaves are rounded. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Some states, such as North Dakota, require this by law. Each leaf easily measures 8 feet in length and is a brilliant shade of green. It allows air and light into the center of older plants, increasing flowering and reducing fungal disease. Use a hand saw or chain saw, and cut it down to about 12 inches above the ground. Be aware, Travellers Palms are NOT giant bird of paradise (Strelizia Nicholae). Always be careful on the ladder! Be careful not to break the handle. 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. A giant bird of paradise can reach up to 30 feet in height once it matures and the flower stalks can grow as tall as 5 feet. When using the saw, work slowly. I dug out a heap of mature (30ft high) giant birds of paradise earlier this year. Push down on the handle of the spade near the bottom to lift the giant bird of paradise out of the soil. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The white bird of paradise blooms, which are often hidden in the upper reaches of the plant, are blue and white. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, North Dakota University Extension Service: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs. You can also tie a rope around it and pull it out with a truck. For dense plants, use a pruning saw to cut the entire plant to about 1 foot off the ground. 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, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Bird of paradise plants are beautiful, but they can get out of control. Discard the plant, and fill your hole back in. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Two different things. Begin pruning Yellow and Mexican varieties in late winter and early spring. After trimming, give your tool blades a five-minute soak in a 50:50 solution of rubbing alcohol and water to sanitize them. A giant bird of paradise should not grow back if you got the bulk of the root ball. The multi-stemmed trunks of the plant often grow up to 18 inches in diameter. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Dig around and under root ball of plant as much as possible. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. But, wait untill fall, when cooler temps prevail, or … It was much taller than the store room. This article has been viewed 57,072 times. Use the gardener's cutters to remove dead flowers and ragged leaves on the white bird of paradise as soon as they start to go bad. Always wear thick gardening gloves when pruning. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. … You will then have room to dig and still have part of the plant to grip to pull it out of the soil. Bird of Paradise Relocation Tips. Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. Whatever the reason, be prepared for a big job. Bird of paradise plants are related to bananas and the exotically flowered heliconia. Set aside a good chunk of time and follow each of these important steps to ensure your bird of paradise will survive the move and thrive in its new home. 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. Step 1 Wear garden gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the plant. If the plants are allowed to grow too large, they may actually start interfering with housing structures or take over a yard. Use hand-held pruning shears or a small tree saw to cut through the fleshy stalks. 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! Drier soil is usually easier to cut through than extremely wet soil. For large outdoor plants, you may have to use the landscape saw. I couldn't resist picking up two Giant Birds of Paradise today at Costco. Remove the bird of paradise broken stalks during pruning. Bird of paradise plants grow wild among other shrubs along riverbanks in many parts of South Africa, and are important sources of nectar for birds. Cut them as close to the trunk as you can without damaging other stems. Do not use hedge trimmers on your Bird of Paradise because this can cause irreversible damage to the plant. You will then have room to dig and still have part of the plant to grip to pull it out of the soil. Situate the plant into its new hole and begin filling the hole with soil. How to Split a Giant White Bird of Paradise Plant - YouTube For more tips from our Horticulturalist co-author, including how to keep Bird of Paradise plants safe during frosts, keep reading! You might need a friend or neighbor to hold it steady while you’re trimming to avoid getting hurt with the shears. Cut down your giant bird of paradise. Cut it in short sections from top to desired height. Larger species like S. nicolai or S. alba grow up to 30 feet tall, which makes them difficult to grow in your home unless you live in a mansion with an enormous, well-lit foyer.. Use a hand saw or chain saw, and cut it down to about 12 inches above the ground. Pruning Birds of Paradise to Thin Overgrown Plants Thinning is another way of cleaning up a bird of paradise. Instructions: Step#1. Bird of paradise seeds take up to a year to germinate, and young plants may not flower for seven years. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. I cut them down to the ground, and tried (with help) digging up the roots. 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. 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. Pups sprouting from around the plant's base can also be removed. Don't insert the tines directly under the plant, where they could damage the root system. {"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":"