Strelitzia Nicolai (Giant White bird of Paradise)

Strelitzia Nicolai (Giant White bird of Paradise)

 Summary

Giant form of the more common Strelitzia Reginae, Similar hardiness (Tender). I winter mine in a frost free conservatorywith little or no water. I have seen them planted out for summer in the UK then dug up for winter but I have not yet tried this approach, mine has stayed in a large pot so far.

2013

March. I got this from a local ad site for £10. someone was clearing out a large greenhouse and thought it was a banana plant, they didnt change the price when I told them what it was so I was very happy

You can see it has 2 main trunks (this plant grows a proper trunk) and a smaller one

12th May it was put outside, and seen here it has 2 new leaves emerging

18th October, It only grew 1 leaf per stem all summer long, I put this down to the location being semi shade and because it was at the back of the border I could not feed and water it properly

It spent winter in the conservatory, no water all winter

2014

 Put outside on 2nd April, seen here a couple of weeks later with 1 new leaf already unfurled and another coming

17th May, a lovely sight in the garden

Mid June and It is back in the front garden (still in its pot)

Early August, you can see its been totally swamped by the other plants so was not getting good sunlight, although watering was improved from the previous year

3rd October Brought into the back garden ready to go away for winter. again growth was not amazing this year

2015

June. After spending winter again unwatered in the conservatory, here it is in June as a filler plant in last years position. I intended to move it once the other plants filled out

August. After digging up a bamboo I sunk the pot in a different corner of the garden, this was sunnier and as it was sunk it would have more moisture available (I was a bit worried about it being stolen though as its next to the pavement)

It seems a lot happier in this spot, and sent out some more leaves, though winds ripped them

12th September

27th December

Here in its wintering home, the conservatory

2016

March 5th I decided to repot it as its been bulging out of the current pot for the past 2 years

April 19th - I have put it outside for the summer, it looks exactly the same as in the photo above except its the other side of the glass now

April 26th - After some sleet today i have wrapped it in fleece as the overnight forecast is very cold. 

26th July - Some good growth so far this year, its sat in a dish so it can take on more water

September 10th I have cut back the side growth to prepare it for being brought indoors in the winter as it is getting too wide

During the September trim above I took a cutting to see if it would take, I can report that it has grown a root and is still alive in December, shown below growing indoors