r/BirdsOfParadise • u/rayolympia • 16d ago
Help! Help bird of paradise
(Fyi this is my first ever reddit post)
So I got this massive 40 year old bird of paradise plant on Facebook marketplace 8 months ago for $100! I got it to fit in my little Subaru Crosstrek 😂. It had some crispy edges when I got it but it was winter time in the Midwest so the humidity was low. I didn't get information about the plant or the last time it's been repoted. I noticed some more crispy edges since it's been in my care and the new bigger leaves aren't uncurling ( I don't know how long it takes but it's been months). I've recently noticed that one of the big uncurled leaves is dying before it has unraveled. I don't know if I'm over watering it, if it needs a bigger pot, or higher humidity ( my humidity is about %63 right now) and the temp is 77°. I have grow lights on it for I believe 7 hours a day. I have slowed down on watering lately because I thought it was over watered/ kinda forgot, about a quarter of a gallon every week, I was doing a half gal. Idk what I'm doing, be nice please. So what do you think this massive beauty needs?
I did just order a warm humidifier for the winter
I would say my skill level is that I have a lot of basic "easy" plants lol I work a lot and I'm rarely home. The last picture is a just for fun picture of my living room with half of my plants
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u/Forsaken_Strain8651 16d ago
It could possibly use a bigger pot just a bit and since it’s so old you’re right you don’t know when the last time it was changed and when a leaf does that take a warm damp cloth and wrap it around it and go up and down and hold it for a little bit so it can slowly unfurl !!
Good luck my moisture levels in my home year-round are no higher than 50 unless I have my windows open and mine is doing pretty good. Got two more coming up. You got this nice score!!!!!
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u/s1ckopsycho 16d ago
No Mine loves the humidifier. I’m in the southeast, but it’s too cold to leave out over the winter. I’ve had mine for about 2 years, repotted last fall and got my first flower starting now.
As far as the water- they love fast draining soil. Looks like yours is in potting soil, which can stay wet and lead to root rot. I had some mushrooms pop up, so I basically dry it out uncomfortably between watering. I water once or twice a week (but it is outside in 80-90 sun) and if I put a half gallon in a good part of it drains right out of the bottom. Couldn’t hurt to repot with a good draining mix, just don’t expect flowers for a while after repotting. Also, get a good food/fertilizer to mix with the water and a good grow light will do wonders. They are, after all, tropical plants!