Want to keep your bird of paradise plant healthy while pull in a few more , without shelling out any moolah ?
We link to vendors to assist you discover relevant products . If you buy from one of our link , we may earn a commissioning .
Many garden chores revolve around elimination – mowing the lawn removes the top of grass blades , pull weeds does away with plants out of place , deadheading fleck spent blooms , and so on .
While these task are necessary , and oftentimes satisfying , it ’s a wee bit sad to think that so many horticulture chores roll around get rid of things we do n’t need . Ca n’t our yardwork render a confident reward for a change ?
Oh , but it can . figure division : an ingenious agency of solving a garden problem , while at the same time gaining additional plants ! How cool is that ?
And when the divided industrial plant is none other than a bird of paradise … Well , now you ’re just treating yourself . But hey , you deserve it !
separate a bird of paradise regenerate its energy and keeps it properly size , all while increase the total act ofStrelitziaplants in the garden . With the veracious creature and the proper know - how , you too can utilize thispropagation techniquefor yourself .
In this guide , we ’ll cover the why , what , when , and how ofStrelitziadivision . And if you do n’t have the surplus space , division make excellent gifts to share as well .
Here ’s everything we ’ll go over :
What You’ll Learn
Why Divide?
This is a common ask , specially among propagation newbie . Why would we on purpose furcate a plant – especially a beauty like a bird of paradise – into smaller pieces ? Well , we do this for a few reasons :
Increase Number of Plants
enquire any green pollex with freight of plant life and a short wallet , and they ’ll tell you that plants can be expensive . This becomes specially obvious whenStrelitziashopping : one or two might fit your budget , but a group of them ? Kiss that nest egg bye .
At least that would be the case , if it were n’t for naval division . When you dissever a largeStrelitziainto multiple parts , each one will raise on to become a fresh prospering doll of paradise works .
Divide again and again once plants mature enough to sustain it , and after several years you ’ll have moreStrelitziathan you ’ll know what to do with , all for the price of zero buck and zero cents .
Control Plant Size
Sometimes , when a bird of paradise becomes too large , it necessitate to be downsized . While you could give its greenery a bombilation gash down to the ground , this would just be a irregular solution .
The roots would be unmoved and room out of proportion with the shoot , which would result in the aboveground flora grow back with a vengeance .
Division , on the other hand , entail apprehend up the entireStrelitziaand tell it into small girl plants .
Afterwards , the remaining parent plant that quell in its original topographic point will be smaller and more command , and its roots and shoots will grow in symmetry with each other .
Any of the baby divisions you employ in the landscape painting will do the exact same thing wherever you select to put them , given the condition that they prefer .
Rejuvenate Health and Vigor
When a plant is in motivation of division , it ’s normally a bit overcrowded with rootage and shoot .
In add-on to competing with each other for resources , these jam - backpack social organization do n’t ordinarily have a ton of intra - plant flow of air , which is necessary for avoiding disease .
By part an overly clumped - up bird of paradise , you enable it to harvest nutrient , water , and sun from the environment more readily , while also lower its endangerment of disease .
Plus , the stress of division spur reincarnate growth and development , much like pruning does .
What You’ll Need
Having the proper tools is a must when dividingStrelitzia . Here ’s everything you ’ll need :
A Digging Tool
There are many different fashion to lift a bird of paradise out of the footing . Shovels , spades , and garden forks all work .
A digger is better for digging , a nigra comes in ready to hand for slice up any drop anchor roots , and a garden fork is idealistic for go away the legal age of the root arrangement entire .
The tool that you pick out will count on your preference and digging style , but nothing say you ca n’t utilise more than one creature for working with different sections of yourStrelitzia .
In fact , this may be ideal , as I ’ll excuse later on in the guide .
Ergonomic Garden Shovel
For an ergonomic garden shovel with a uniquely curved wooden hold , travel to Garrett Wade .
They also offer a top - level , threatening - responsibility , ego - sharpening power shovel , their “ King of Spades ” .
King of Spades
For ease of use , a golosh ft pad adherence is available separatelyfrom Garrett Wade .
Gardening Fork
To buy a chrome Mo steel alloy garden fork with rust - resistive tines , Garrett Wadecan help you out there as well .
A Watering Can or Hose with Spray Nozzle
A means of tearing is technically demand for class formulation , not the actual dividing process .
Prior to division , you ’ll desire to deeply water the hiss of paradise that you ’ll be dividing .
The tool to use here is also up to personal preference : watering cansare more well portable and manoeuvrable , while nozzled hoses propose various spray options and do n’t require multiple trip back to the tap or sink for refill .
Plastic Watering Can
For a three - Imperial gallon watering can made of BPA - free plastic , head on over to Gardener ’s Supply Company .
If your garden hose is in need of our upgrade , read our reviewto discover some of the undecomposed options .
And if you go the hose route , you ’ll also involve an easy - squeeze nebuliser nozzle .
Easy - Squeeze Hose hooter
Visit Gardener ’s Supply Co.to check out their single stainless steel model with seven nebuliser options . It ’s available in bleak and imperial , or hoary and green .
Soil Knife
When it ’s time to in reality separate your birdie of paradise after it ’s been lifted , you ’ll need a brand to lop the rhizomatous stem system into different sections .
Read our guide to the estimable hori - hori garden knivesif you ’re looking for one to total to your collection .
Farmer ’s Dagger
I like this 13 - in Dutch granger ’s daggerfrom Garrett Wade . With an oiled ash tree handgrip , the seven - inch hardened boron steel blade is straight on one side , and serrated on the other .
Tarp
Throughout the whole dividing process , you ’ll need to keep your variousStrelitziaparts devise .
You ’ll also want to check that any soil you ’ve dug up does n’t terminate up in undesired position . A tarp is a lightweight , indestructible , and portable means of doing all that .
Waterproof Tarp
eminent - quality polyethylene framework tarp in a assortment of colors and sizes areavailable from Amazon .
When to Divide Strelitzia
SinceStrelitziaflowers typically open in late winter or other spring , the ideal division time is in late leap or summer .
A plant ask zip to recuperate and reestablish itself after being separate .
Splitting aStrelitziaright before flower occurs instead means the transplant wo n’t become set up as effectively . By dividing in summer , you ’ll provide copious prison term and resources for it to produce stiff roots and shoot .
For successful division , choose healthy and well - establish specimens . Dividing an overrun , infected , or latterly transplantedStrelitziawould just add another stressor to an already stressed - out flora .
How to Divide Bird of Paradise
Now that you ’ve got your tools and reserve a late spring or summer day for divide a level-headed bird of paradise works you ’ve choose , it ’s time to begin .
Preparation
Before you even impact an established bird of paradise , you ’ll want to dig holes where youintend to transplantthe girl plants , and prep the new planting areas as needed .
For optimal reestablishment , make certain the environ soil is prolific and well - draining , with a pH level of 5.5 to 7.5 .
Learn more about provide the best location for your transplants inour guide to growingStrelitzia . And carry onto the dug - out territory so you could use it after for backfilling .
Anywhere from a full daylight to an hour before dig up a mass ofStrelitzia , deeply irrigate the rootage zone . This will hydrate the plant life , make digging well-fixed , and keep the ascendant ball in one piece as you lift it out of the ground .
Sterilize all of your tool before you start .
A premix of isopropyl alcohol and water – with at least 70 percent of the answer being alcohol – sprayed on your tool should kill any lingering pathogens . Wipe off the solvent with a sporty tabloid , and you ’re ready to go .
Removal
Using your choice of labour dick , begin to dig in a circuit around the plant . Leave several in to a infantry of distance between the border tune where you dig and the summit where the stalk meet the soil , to keep as many of the rhizome intact as potential .
Root depth count on the variety , but again , you want to avoid slicing through the rhizomes .
Being able to pilfer theStrelitziaout of the hole with your spare hands is the goal , so if you ca n’t pull yours out under your own unequipped manpower , then there ’s more work to do .
For peculiarly gravid specimens , you might even need to call in a protagonist to attend you .
At this point , a sharp nigger will come in handy for slicing any antecedent that are anchoring the bollock of rhizomes to the soil .
Once the pickle is sufficiently bass and wide around the root ball , spellbind the mass of rhizome , and haul out the plant onto your tarpaulin . Depending on its size of it , you might want to get under the root globe with a tumid spade for leverage . Now , it ’s section time !
Division
Using your hands to taunt the clumps asunder , divide the plants into single - shoot units .
You may require to apply your soil knife to sever the rhizomatous roots and separate them , being sure to keep as much of the healthy rhizome as potential intact with one connected to each shoot .
geld away and fling of any unhealthy - looking rootstalk , roots , or stem .
It might also be necessary to gently twit soil clumps off the rhizomes so you could see what you ’re doing while you work .
endeavor to avoid creating any accidental nicks or excision , as these lesion may leave transplanted divisions prostrate to disease . Leave the soil in a peck on your tarp so it can be reprocess later for backfilling .
Transplanting and Reestablishment
Now that you have your divisions , it ’s time to replant the parent and transplant the daughter plants .
You ’ll want to do this as before long as possible so they do n’t dry out . If they ’re at danger of drying up , keep the roots of your divisions moist in the specter by irrigating them with a watering can or a hose .
For the division that you desire to graft into your garden , check that you have groom hole large enough to accommodate their ascendent systems .
constitute the divisions as deep as they were prior to being divided , then backfill the holes with soil that you dug out earlier . water supply in the variance , and keep the soil moist until they become reestablished – this will take at least three calendar month .
The parent should be replanted in the pickle from whence it came . Now that it ’s part from the girl plants , you ’ll have a set of empty space in the hole that will need to be backfilled with the grunge that you ’ve kept on your tarp .
Once the division are set up , you ’re free to begin fertilizing them every three months with organic fabric such as moulder manure or blood repast , in edict to encourage vivacious blooms .
await to see air division of this size flower for the first time in one to two long time . For more fertilization know - how , read our guide to fertilizing skirt of paradise .
Tips for Dividing Potted Plants
The above data is geared towards dividing birds of paradise that are planted directly in the ground . But for potted specimen , there are a few things you ’ll need to do differently .
First , you ’ll demand more sess ! Ensure that they have effective drainage and meet them with an appropriate potting mix . bird of paradise favor being slenderly base - bound for optimum blooming , so ensure their new containers are n’t too spacious .
When take your specimen , you ’ll know a pottedStrelitziais quick to divide when the roots start to emerge from – or even start to crack – the container .
This is an obvious house that the plant has gone from slight to badly settle down resile and need straightaway relief .
Root obligate plants become more difficult to water as well and they may set out to show sign of evaporation when it ’s prison term to separate .
You do n’t take any digging implement to split container - grow plants .
alternatively , mix running a knife or lowly finger around the inner rim of the container with wiggling the pot to undo the works a bit for well-situated tone ending . You may have to bung the pot on its side on your tarpaulin if the plant is too heavy to absent it vertically .
Once the plant life is sufficiently loose , pull it from its container , being thrifty not to yank too unvoiced to avoid damaging the rootstock . Hopefully , you ’ve laid out some newspaper or small tarp to contain the mess .
Divide theStrelitziathe same path you would if it had been growing in the flat coat .
Once that ’s done , transplant individually into their new containers planted to the same profoundness as before , backfill , and water to settle in . bring more soil if you need to . The parent plant can do good from a soil refresh as well .
SplittingStrelitzia: Division You Can Get Behind
Your school teachers were ripe – youdidend up bear to use math in existent lifespan ! But dividing a bird of paradise beats arithmetic homework any day , in my book .
Now that you may dissever a shuttlecock of paradise , there ’s nothing stopping you from creating an army ofStrelitziaclones . you could keep them for yourself , give them away , or prank phratry by in secret planting your partition in their yard !
scrub that last one , actually – it may not be entirely effectual . But it would be curious , in a botanic sort of way .
For moreinformation on bird of paradise care and maintenance , check out these pathfinder next :
© inquire the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . Product photos via Gardener ’s Supply Company , Garrett Wade , and Trademark Supplies Store . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Joe Butler
