If you’re growing beautiful bird of paradise plants in your garden, it’s only natural that you’d want more of them.
Sure, you can go out and purchase additional Strelitzia specimens instead of using propagation techniques to increase your stock.
But plants aren’t cheap, and there’s something cool about owning one that you yourself have raised since its birthday. Or origin day, or whatever you’d call a plant’s first day in a landscape.
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You know where your new plants came from, you don’t have to rely on shipping or driving out somewhere for pickup, and you have the privilege of accomplishing what is arguably botanical wizardry. Plus, it’s fun!
If you’d like a refresher about cultivating Strelitzia, read our guide to growing bird of paradise plants.
In this guide, we have a couple of propagation techniques to share. From the materials you’ll need to the step-by-step how-to’s, here’s what we’ll cover:
While it is possible to grow bird of paradise from seed, first some words of warning: Strelitzia species started from seed usually take three to five years to start blooming, with agonizingly slow cases taking up to a decade.
You can purchase seeds or harvest them yourself, whether they’re from other people’s gardens or your own.
But it’s important to know that seeds collected from hybrid plants won’t grow true to type, meaning that you could end up with a different bird of paradise variety than you expected.
Therefore, purchasing seed from reputable vendors will ensure you know for certain what kind you’ll end up with.
Like this pack of 15 Strelitzia reginae seeds, which is offered by Outsidepride via Amazon.
Another method is to pollinate your Strelitzia specimens yourself, by hand. This can be helpful to speed the pollination process along.
Strelitzia flowers are generally pollinated by birds – sunbirds or Cape weavers in their native range in South Africa.
If you take a look at the bird of paradise blooms, each flower consists of three orange or white sepals that surround one thin, blue to indigo floral structure.
This structure is tipped with a pollen-receptive stigma, with pollen-producing stamens covered by a sheath further up on the flower.
When birds land on this structure, their landing pushes aside the sheaths and uncovers the stamens. Exposed pollen sticks to the birds’ feet, bellies, and breasts as they feed on nectar.
When the bird moves to another flower, it brings along the pollen and transfers it to the stigma when it lands, resulting in pollination and eventual seed set.
To pollinate your plants without birds, you’ll need a cotton swab or a small paint brush.
Pushing the stamen-stigma structure down, use your choice of tool to collect pollen. Take that pollen to another plant, and gently brush it onto one or more of their stigmas.
After five months, the blooms should have given way to seed pods, each containing 60 to 80 black, orange-tufted, pea-sized seeds.
Leave these pods to turn brown and dry on the plants before using a sharp, sterile blade to cut the pods off the plants and harvest the seeds within.
If the seeds are soft, you should sow them right away. If you can’t sow right after harvest or otherwise want to wait until spring, you should let them dry out in a ventilated room at 40 to 50°F before keeping them in an envelope kept at similarly cool and dry conditions.
If the seed coats are hard or have hardened come planting time, you should soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water before nicking them with a blade or file to lightly scarify the seeds. Remove the orange hair tufts after soaking, and you’re ready to sow!
Either indoors or in a greenhouse, gather individual three-inch pots or trays and fill them with a 50:50 mix of peat moss and perlite.
Bury one or two seeds per pot or cell half an inch to an inch deep, moisten the media, and cover them with a humidity dome or sheet of plastic wrap, depending on your choice of container.
Temperatures of between 75 and 90°F are required for germination – using bottom heat mats to raise the temperature may be necessary. Seedlings should pop up after six to 12 weeks, at which point you can remove the plastic coverings.
Provide your seedlings with bright, indirect light, and keep the media moist as the baby plants grow.
Once the seedlings have two to four true leaves, you can move them into their own six-inch pots, and continue to provide consistent soil moisture. Keep them in the same bright, indirect light location until the seedlings are six to eight inches tall.
At this point, you can repot your plantings, or transplant your Strelitzia out into the garden in Zones 9 to 12.
The ideal spot for your bird of paradise would have full sun to partial shade exposure, at least six feet of elbow room per plant, and organically rich, loamy soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
If you have large, unruly clumps of Strelitzia, you can divide them into multiple smaller sections for transplanting throughout your garden. Maybe you can give one or two of them away as gifts!
The best time for dividing a bird of paradise is in late spring to early summer. Mature specimens with more than four or five shoots are the perfect candidates.
With a sharp shovel or spade, start digging a circle eight to 12 inches out from your clump.
Dig 10 to 24 inches deep, depending on the size of the plant, and use your digging tool as a lever to lift your bird of paradise out of the ground.
Those growing in containers can simply be lifted out of the pot after using a hand tool to loosen the soil up a bit.
With a sharp knife, cut through the root ball of your dug-up plant, separating the clump into multiple sections, each with roots and at least one stem attached.
Replant the divisions into new spots in the garden by digging holes large enough to accommodate the roots. Keep the soil around the roots moist for at least three months, then care for your divisions like you would a mature, established bird of paradise.
Flowering should start in one to three years – divided and replanted specimens usually don’t flower their first year back in the ground.
You can also remove young offshoots from mature plants while they are still in the ground. That method is covered in our guide to dividing bird of paradise plants.
The exotic and tropical bird of paradise plant produces stunning blooms that add vibrancy and interest to any indoor or outdoor space. Though often propagated from divisions, starting a bird of paradise from seed is rewarding and enables you to add these beautiful plants to your garden or home for a fraction of the cost of buying mature plants.
Growing a bird of paradise from seed does require dedication and patience since seeds can take 1-3 months to germinate and several years to flower. However, watching your plants transform from tiny seedlings into flourishing, flowering specimens is incredibly gratifying.
Follow this complete step-by-step guide to successfully grow a bird of paradise plant from seed
Selecting and Preparing Bird of Paradise Seeds
The first step is obtaining high quality bird of paradise seeds from a reputable source. Mature seed pods can be collected from existing plants when ripe. Select plump, fresh seeds for the best chance of germination.
Before planting, soak the hard outer shells of the seeds in room temperature water for 24-48 hours. This helps soften the tough coating and enhances germination rates Gently remove any orange stringy material from the seeds as well Inspect the seeds and discard any that appear discolored, moldy or damaged.
Providing the Proper Conditions for Germination
Bird of paradise seeds require very specific conditions to sprout successfully. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep in sterile, well-draining seed starting mix. Space seeds at least 3 inches apart to allow room for growth.
Warmth is critical. Maintain a soil temperature between 70-80°F for optimal germination. Consider using a heat mat or planting the seeds near a warm window. High humidity is also essential during the 1-3 month germination period. Create a greenhouse effect by covering seed trays with plastic wrap or use a seedling heat mat.
Check soil moisture daily and keep seeds consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once sprouted, move seedlings to filtered sunlight to prevent leaf scorch and continue providing high humidity.
Caring for Bird of Paradise Seedlings
When the first true leaves emerge, transplant sprouted seeds into 3-4 inch pots filled with well-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry and allow pots to drain fully to prevent rot.
Fertilize seedlings monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength. Provide adequate warmth and humidity as seedlings establish. Monitor for potential pests like mealybugs and treat any issues promptly.
As plants grow stronger, gradually acclimate them to lower humidity levels and increased direct sunlight. Adequate light is crucial to prevent leggy, weak growth.
Transplanting Seedlings Outdoors
In frost-free climates, plant 1-2 foot tall seedlings outdoors once the threat of cold weather has passed. Choose a sheltered spot with full sun to partial shade and enriched, well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the root ball. Backfill the hole with native soil, plant the seedling at the same level it was growing in the pot, and water deeply after transplanting. Provide regular irrigation until established.
If cold temperatures below 55°F occur, protect young plants by covering or moving containers indoors. Hardening off is also recommended prior to transplanting outdoors.
Ongoing Care of Mature Plants
Once your bird of paradise matures, provide care to keep plants healthy and encourage prolific flowering:
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Water deeply when the top several inches of soil become dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Fertilize 3-4 times yearly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
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Prune spent blooms back to an outward facing leaf node to promote reblooming.
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Remove dead leaves and spent stems to maintain a tidy appearance.
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Repot in larger containers every 2-3 years as plants grow. Divide congested clumps.
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Protect outdoor plants from frost and freezing winter temperatures.
Achieving Glorious Bird of Paradise Blooms
Bird of paradise grown from seed can take a patience-testing 3-5 years before beginning to flower. But the wait is well worth it when those iconic bright orange and blue blooms finally emerge!
Mature plants produce the showy flowers on long stalks during the summer months. Ample sunlight, warm temperatures, and consistent soil moisture encourage prolific blooming.
Sheltering plants from cold winter temperatures can boost flower production the following season. And propagating from divisions or seed pods on established plants yields more flowers too.
From Seed to Stunning Specimen
While growing a bird of paradise from seed demands commitment through an extensive germination and growth timeline, the end result – a flourishing plant covered in vibrant tropical blooms – makes it all worthwhile.
Starting from seed saves money compared to purchasing mature plants. And you’ll gain the satisfaction of nurturing your plant through every stage until it reaches its full flowering potential. With the proper care, bird of paradise can thrive for years, gracing your garden with its spectacular, architectural flowers.
Key Tips for Growing Bird of Paradise from Seed:
- Select fresh, high quality seeds and soak before planting
- Maintain warm temperatures (70-80°F) for germination
- Keep high humidity during the 1-3 month germination period
- Provide bright, filtered light as seedlings grow
- Gradually acclimate young plants to lower humidity and more direct sun
- Transplant outdoors only after the last frost in frost-free climates
- Expect 3-5 years for plants grown from seed to flower
- Water deeply, fertilize regularly, and protect from cold temperatures
- Propagate from divisions or seed pods for more blooms
Growing these exotic beauties from seed to bloom may require dedication, but the bird of paradise’s stunning tropical flowers make it a rewarding journey!
But What About Cuttings?
Taking stem or leaf cuttings is a popular propagation method for many different plants. Unfortunately, it won’t work with Strelitzia species.
Bird of paradise stems aren’t able to produce roots, so they won’t establish unless there is intact root tissue or rhizome attached.
5 Bird of Paradise Secrets | Flower and Grow Seeds Indoors
FAQ
How long does it take to grow a Bird of Paradise from seed?
Bird of paradise is a slow grower and can take up to 5 years to mature and bloom.
Can you propagate Bird of Paradise from seed?
It is also possible to grow this lovely tropical plant from seed. Learning how to grow bird of paradise from seed isn’t difficult but may require some patience. It is imperative that bird of paradise seeds are dry and fresh for best results. Plant seeds as soon after harvest as possible.
Are birds of paradise easy to grow?
The Bird of Paradise is an easy-going plant and is generally pest-free but can be prone to spider mites.
How do you grow a bird of paradise plant?
Once the seeds have been harvested, they have to go through a brief pre-germination process to prepare them for planting, due to the hard casing that protects each seed. To harvest the seeds from a Bird of Paradise plant, you’ll need a fully-matured Strelitzia with at least one flower. Ideally, that flower should be beginning to die back.
Can you grow a bird of Paradise from seed?
While often propagated from divisions, the bird of paradise can also be grown from seeds. Starting these exotic plants from seed requires patience and care but enables you to add stunning bird of paradise plants to your landscape for a fraction of the cost. Follow this step-by-step guide to successfully grow a bird of paradise from seed.
How do birds of Paradise grow?
The broad, paddle-shaped leaves can reach lengths of up to 18 inches (46 cm) and are believed to have evolved to survive in the rainforest by collecting rainwater to nourish the plant. The first step in growing Bird of Paradise from seed is to ensure the creation of an ideal germination environment.
How do I harvest seeds from a bird of paradise plant?
To harvest the seeds from a Bird of Paradise plant, you’ll need a fully-matured Strelitzia with at least one flower. Ideally, that flower should be beginning to die back. The flower will begin losing its color, either white or orange, and turning a pale brown.
How long does a bird of Paradise seed take to germinate?
Given the right conditions, a Bird of Paradise seed will germinate in about two months. This article will cover the process of harvesting and preparing Strelitzia seeds, including tips on germination and transplanting your freshly grown sprouts. Bird of Paradise plants can be extremely slow to grow, so be ready for a long process.
Where do bird of Paradise seeds come from?
These seeds come from the flowers of the Bird of Paradise plant, which is known for its stunning orange and blue blooms that resemble the shape of a bird in flight. By planting these seeds, you can enjoy the striking beauty of this tropical plant right in your own backyard. What is Bird of Paradise plant?