I live about 20° North of the equator and I just got a bird of paradise from California. My window faces West and I'd like to put it there but It gets WAY hot here in the summer (116° F last summer) but I can't put it in the back yard and I need to keep the monsoon in mind. Any ideas?
2007-03-08 15:48:28 · 11 answers · asked by Jaroo 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I heard if it's inside it won't bloom, and for the person with the title "got flies?". a bird of paradise is a flower not a real bird.
2007-03-08 15:55:22 · update #1
I live in inland Australia and people grow 'bird of paradise', Strelitzia reginae in the middle of their lawns here and the termperature reaches 110 deg F in summer and it is very dry. They are a semi-tropical plant but don't seem to mind dry weather if they get a regular water. You don't say if you have 116 deg F for many days in summer. We range from 95 deg F to 110deg F for most of summer. If you are really worried you can grow something, even a tall perennial near it so that the quick growing temporary plant shades it from the afternoon sun. Once they are established, they grow really 'fleshy' roots (I think this is why they are so heat tolerant) and are very hard to move without making a mess of the plant, so pick your situation well. I don't think the monsoon will worry them if you have good drainage.
2007-03-08 18:55:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet may be to place the plant in a large pot with a deep saucer beneath it. You can move it around till you find the best place. While it doesn't sound like you will have a problem from cold weather, the dryness of your climate could be a problem.
In general, when planting next to a house the east side is the least hot as the plant will get sun while the air is still cool. The south gets sun all day, and the west is the most harsh because the air is already hot when the sun hits the plant.
2007-03-09 00:26:48 · answer #2 · answered by mindshift 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right,the bird of paradise will withstand heat but not long hours of direct fierce sunshine.I take it the problem arises because you wish to plant it in the ground,a potted plant can easily be moved for the summer months to a more shady location,try a temporary shade screen for the summer,or a few more hardy potted plants strategically placed could prove helpful.There is small chance of an in- door bloom.
2007-03-09 00:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by dee k 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The monsoon probably wouldn't affect it much since it is a tropical plant, but you do need to keep the plant well watered. I found a good website for care of the bird of paradise.
2007-03-09 00:01:02 · answer #4 · answered by fidel410 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Those things are pretty tough. They grow in hot southern Cal, so I would put it somewhere near that west window and water it and fertilize it. Sometimes it takes a few years for them to bloom , so feed it with a bloom food and that might help. Water when it is hot.
2007-03-09 09:20:21 · answer #5 · answered by plaplant8 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure put it into the back yard have your computer notify you when rain is expected in your area. When the monsoons are expected the west window will be cool enough for the bird.
2007-03-08 23:53:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
So keep it near the window during the spring, fall, and winter, then move it someplace cooler in the summer time.
2007-03-08 23:51:58 · answer #7 · answered by Jack S 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
inside the house ?
2007-03-08 23:50:44 · answer #8 · answered by dodi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can handle the heat as long as it gets watered.
2007-03-08 23:51:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
theywere ment to be free. let the poor little bogger go. let it go for gods sake. you are torturing this little creature. are yo some beast that likes pull wings off bugs? not your bird anyway. gods birdd.e
2007-03-08 23:52:50 · answer #10 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋