| Scientific classification |
| Kingdom: |
Plantae |
| Division: |
Magnoliophyta |
| Class: |
Liliopsida |
| Order: |
Zingiberales |
| Family: |
Strelitziaceae |
| Genus: |
Strelitzia Ait. |
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Bird of Paradise: One of the perennial plants popularized by its unique resemblance to the bird of the same name, this flower is abundant in South Africa. Named after the honourable Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Bird of Paradise definitely exudes the beauty of the queen consort. With the unique blend of evergreen, orange, red, yellow and midnight blue, the Bird of Paradise is a dramatic portrayal of elegance and grand. This flower is like a peeking bird in the refreshing seasons of autumn, spring and winter. In the Eastern Cape, the abundance of the Bird of Paradise can be witnessed along the riverbanks and coastal bush. The mild weather of the place and the evenly distributed rain throughout the year contributes to the production of its nectar that is a major source of food for various birds. In addition, the Bird of Paradise is utterly famous in the United States of America particularly in the Southern California where is it tagged as the official flower of Los Angeles City.
This amazing Bird of Paradise could actually grow up to 6 ˝ feet tall if cultivated properly. Its leaves are strong since it approximately reach 25-70 centimetre long by 4-12 centimetre wide. The petioles, on the other hand, can be produced as long as 1 meter.
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Cultivation: The Bird of Paradise flower can be cultivated in a place where the weather is mild, temperate or even warm. It can be cultivated in most soils but ideally, the soil must be exposed to full sun; contains a pH level of 7.5; rich soil that is characterized as “well-drained”; and with regular watering. Fertilizers can also help make the Bird of Paradise grow healthy. Manure and compost when generously applied to the plant during summer and for about a month will help the Bird of Paradise to respond well in the cultivation process. To encourage and speed up the flowering of the Bird of Paradise, a proportionate level of 3:1:15 amount of fertilizer can come in handy. It is important for the Bird of Paradise to be cultivated with cautious especially during the first few months. After it has already been established, the flower can already survive even in minimal watering only.
Propagation: The propagation of the Bird of Paradise can take up to five years before it matures from being plain seeds only. Even if the size of the seed is that of a pea, it is best to be soaked into the water for at least 24 hours in order to soften its hard shells where it will be scratched easily for the germination process.
Varieties: There are four different varieties of the Bird of Paradise. First is the Mandale’s Gold known for it extraordinary sepals that radiates in its yellow colour; second is the most common specie of the genus known as Strelitzia Nicolae which grows to be a tree and will eventually become a trunk that grows up to 20 feet; third is the Strelitzia Juncea that is rush-like in physical appearance and whose leaves are formed from the base and form a spear-like shape; and the fourth is Strelitzia Alba which is taller than the common ones.
Disease and Cure: Unlike any other cultivated flowers, Bird of Paradise does not suffer much from any flower-related diseases except that there are certain bugs that are capable in infesting the plant. Research has it that mealybugs and spider mites are the number 1 enemy of Bird of Paradise. Although the flower is relatively free from any pests, the months of August and September are crucial for the Bird of Paradise because these are the months where leaf borer attacks it. Added to it is the Fungal Leaf Spot that may even snatch the beauty and elegance of the flower although it may not affect the life of the flower.
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