Strelitzia augusta, the largest white bird of paradise flower

View of the inflorescence of the Strelitzia Augusta or Alba

If you dream of having a tropical garden but the area where you live is cool, then you will have no choice but to look for plants that are capable of withstanding the cold, such as strelitzia augusta. Better known as white starch, it is becoming very popular in temperate climate regions. Its beauty and easy cultivation make it a much loved species.

Although it has a rather slow growth rate, can be used to decorate since she is very young. And it is that its large leaves give that touch of ‘tropicality’ that we like so much.

Origin and characteristics of strelitzia augusta

Specimen of Strelitzia augusta in a garden

Our protagonist is a perennial rhizomatous plant of arboreal size native to Africa whose scientific name is strelitzia augusta (before strelitzia alba). It is one of the species known as Bird from paradise. It can reach a maximum height of 10 meters. Its leaves are large, lanceolate and broad, with a length of up to 1 meter. The petiole is also very long: more than 1 meter in adult specimens. The flowers are axillary, white, and sprout in summer.

Its stem is cylindrical, about 30cm in diameter, and has a lot of tendency to get suckers.

How do you take care of yourself?

Location

The white Estrelicia is a plant that can be both in full sun and in semi-shade. In addition, as it does not have invasive roots, it can be placed near any other plant, even trees. Of course, if it is an area where the wind blows a lot, I advise planting it near a wall or wall.

Soil or substrate

It is not demanding at all. It can grow without problems any type of terrainincluding calcareous ones. If you want to have it in a pot, use a universal growing medium mixed with perlite in equal parts.

Irrigation

Don't water Strelitzia augusta or alba too much so that it can grow better

Doesn’t need a lot of water. Two weekly waterings will be enough during the warm months of the year, and another every week the rest so that it can grow well.

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You can fertilize the white bird of paradise with Organic fertilizers throughout the growing season, that is, from spring to late summer. In the case of living in an area with a mild climate, I advise paying it in autumn as well. Use fertilizers like guano, manure o earthworm humus, especially if you have it in your garden, to take advantage of and also fertilize the land.

Planting or transplanting time

During springwhen the risk of pulling has passed. The specimens grown in pots have to be transplanted to a larger one after 2-3 years.

Bird of Paradise flower multiplication

Seeds

To obtain new copies of strelitzia augusta through seeds, you have to follow this step by step:

  1. In spring, put the seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours. The next day, you can discard those that are not viable, which will be the ones that have remained floating.
  2. Then fill in a hotbed (pot, tray, glasses of yogurt, …) with universal culture substrate for plants and water it until it is well soaked.
  3. Then spread copper or sulfur on the surface of the substrate. This will ensure that the fungi will not appear.
  4. Next, sow the seeds. It is important that you do not put them too close together, since otherwise it may be difficult for you to separate them later. To give you an idea of ​​how many you should put, you should know that a 10,5cm diameter pot holds a maximum of three.
  5. Finally, cover them with a layer of substrate and water a little again.

Place the seedbed in semi-shade or in full sun, and within a maximum period of two months the seeds will germinate.

Young

During spring and early autumn, you can separate the suckers that come out from the trunk. To do this, dig a little until you see the roots, and with a small hand saw or pruning shears previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol, separate them from the mother plant. Then, you just have to plant them in pots with vermiculite and water.

To have a greater guarantee of success, I advise impregnating the base of the sucker with powdered rooting hormones that you will find for sale in nurseries.

Pests and diseases of the Bird of Paradise

Protect your Strelitzia augusta from mealybugs

Image – Montecarlodailyphoto.com

It’s very toughbut if the environment is dry and warm, or if you are going thirsty you may have mealybugs which can be easily removed with a brush or cotton dipped in water and alcohol.

Rusticity

It supports well cold and weak frosts of up to -2ºC. If you have colder winters, you should protect it with greenhouse plastic or by placing it indoors, in a very bright room.

Where to buy strelitzia augusta?

This is a plant that can be found in virtually any nursery in a warm or temperate regionas it is where outdoor cultivation is possible (as long as there are no major frosts). But what happens if you live in one that is cold?

When we find ourselves in that situation, then we will have no choice but to search online stores. The average price for a one meter copy is 25-30 euros.

Enjoy your plant!

Strelitzia augusta, the largest white bird of paradise flower

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