Why are my Giant Birds of Paradise plants dying after one week of being planted in my front yard.?

Question

they're in full Sun exposure whe soil is kept moist and they were planted with manuer.

Answer 1

Hi Mr. Moffit:

I'm going to assume that you're in a warm climate or at least a zone 9 to have planted your Birds so early. I'm in Florida and we're expecting very low temps tonight, but they should be able to withstand occasional drops down to about 28 degrees.

If the leaves have suddenly curled or folded up, this is a sign that your plants are very stressed and this could have come from the shock of transplanting. Unfortunately, I've had this happen when I've tried to divide or transplant older plants and the folded leaves never come back to normal.

The other thing I've found - they're not crazy about a lot of water in the winter. I know they're new plants, but try to keep them on the drier side to avoid root rot. Hopefully you'll get some warm and full sunny days to encourage new growth. I also wouldn't fertilize them again for a while, since you used manure while planting.

They are such gorgeous plants and I find that once they're established they actually don't need a lot of pampering to flourish. They are also strange too...I planted 4 in my backyard in October. 3 are absolutely incredible and 1 died to the ground! So who knows?

Hopefully your sick Birds will bounce back.

Good Luck with your gardening.

Answer 2

I too live in the tropics, and I agree with byderule's advice.
I grew my Streliztia from seed 5 years ago, and they have been divided a few times - always successfully, but the flowering gets delayed by a year each time the birds of paradise are transplanted.

They need a lot of sun, a rich loamy soil (but manure would be too strong - leaf compost is better) and lots of water. I think winter would not be the best time to plant them, because they need many hours of daylight - it depends on your Zone.

Answer 3

Straight manure is probably burning them up! Also they could have transplant shock. I would get some grow-mulch and add it to your dirt around the plants. Than I would water heavily to try and get some of the manures burning effect diluted. Then I would give them some ,"Quick Start" to promote root growth, and prevent transplant shock. Did you know once a Bird of Paradise plant is transplanted, it won't produce flowers for three to five years? Thought you would be interested in that.Bye

Answer 4

Giant Bird Of Paradise

Answer 5

Bo who maybe you have the same kind of luck i had -mine died as well i think they are difficult to get to live. Maybe we should plant them indoors in potting soil. I haven't thought about that for a while until you mentioned it. Anyway i feel lucky that the Crocus & Buttercups are blooming when it is 22 degrees outside.

Answer 6

Too much sun!!! They need bright light, but NOT full sun, especially right after they've been transplanted. Give them some shade with something like shade cloth for a while, until they get used to their new environment.

Answer 7

they are tropical plants i got lots of them and they are over 3 metres
but i live in the tropics and they get a lot of water practically stand in it
and they are mostly under the trees they are humid tropic jungle plants

Answer 8

when you buy one it isn't used to full sun and they really don't prefer full sun for optimal growth. the leaves will burn and die back but the plant itself shouldn't be dead. they also die back during frosts.

Answer 9

maybe the bugs ate it

Answer 10

shock