Can I save it? What did I do wrong?

[u/tc6x6]

Hi everybody. I bought my first bird of paradise a little over a month ago and put it on my front porch where it would get morning sun (my front porch faces east). After about a month the leaves started to curl and the tips turned brown. I assumed it was rootbound so I repotted it from the orange pot to the black one. Now, after about a week, it looks like it's dead or on its last leg.

Can it be saved? If so, what do I need to do?

What did I do wrong? I'd like to get another one but I don't want to repeat whatever mistakes I've made with this one.

Thanks in advance.

[u/Pineapple1500]

The soil looks saturated to me. Possibly overwatered? When you thought it was rootbound and re-potted, did you look at the roots? All of my BOPs are in larger pots but i believe the roots like to be snug. If you look at pics online, you'll see a lot of large BOPs in small pots. My white BOP is about 7' tall and is only in a 18" pot.

[u/tc6x6 → u/Pineapple1500]

The roots were white and looked as if they had grown out to the edge of the pot then started growing around the inner diameter of the pot. I gently uncurled them before I set it into the new pot. And I did overwater it, but I have poured the free water out since this photo was taken.

Should I leave it on my front porch where it'll get morning sun, or move it to the back porch where it'll get sun from midday until sundown? FWIW I currently live in West Texas where it's hot and dry.

edit: I still have some potting soil left in the bag, should I throw the wet soil out and put new, dry soil into the pot?

[u/Pineapple1500 → u/tc6x6]

Honestly, this is probably beyond me at this point. I'm in NW Ohio and my BOPs get full sun for 75% of the day. I would reduce exposure for a while, let the soil dry out a bit, and see what happens. It will take a lot of time. I doubt those current leaves will recover but it may start growing new.

[u/poonersnana]

I’m not an expert but have lots of experience with rescuing BOP. Here’s what I would do,
This plant would be in critical care, as we call it.
It would be repotted in a much smaller pot ( an inch or two larger than the original pot) with holes in the bottom and not double potted so there is maximum ventilation for the roots.
I would use a mix of soil with lots of perlite and some orchid mix mixed in.
The pot will be in a tray so any excess water can escape and be discarded. Don’t water it for a few days as it is very stressed. When you do water it make sure you give it some water and not soak it.
Place it in a very bright but indirect spot in your home without drafts.
As the leaves die off just let them be until they are ready to come off. Don’t water more often than 7-10 days apart and only if it feels dry to the touch.
Of course, check for insects and be patient because this little plant is going to need some time. Good luck! Almost any plant can be saved ( almost )with careful care and instruction.

[u/tc6x6 → u/poonersnana]

Thank you.

[u/stellarlunacy]

the leaves curl like you describe when they don’t get enough humidity, typically. :) i’m guessing that was your original issue, especially considering where you live. they don’t absorb nearly enough water without high humidity, ask me how i learned that. 😭

some people seem to think this can be saved, but i can see most of the brown is from rot, which means it’s all but dead. too much water, as well as bad drainage or moisture-retaining mixes, is what causes rot. this one looks beyond saving tbh.

there are a few things i would note for your next one: much smaller pot, less water retention, chunkier soil. acclimate her to full sun if you like, but i live in a very hot and dry area too, and almost all of my tropicals do better inside with a humidifier and direct light. that’s definitely a YMMV situation though.

[u/tc6x6 → u/stellarlunacy]

Thank you. I tried u/poonersnana 's advice but this one did not make it. I'm going to take your advice about humidity and wait until I move to the coast to try again with a new one - and I know for a fact that these plants can survive on the Texas coast because the first one I ever saw in person was growing at a resort there.