You have probably seen or heard of the Bird of Paradise flower, but surely when you have read this name you have come to mind a herbaceous plant that measures a maximum of 1m in height and has a fairly long leaf towards the middle of the stem. and wide, right? This is known by the scientific name of Queen Strelitziaand it is one of the most common, if not the most, in temperate climate gardens. But, Did you know that there is another one that is very different and just as beautiful?
They call her Strelitzia junceaand it is very reminiscent of reeds. But how do you take care of it? Do you need the same as S. reginae or is it more demanding?
Image – Jackalimages
The Strelitzia juncea It is a plant native to South Africa, where it grows nearby in places where the climate is very hot and rainfall is rare. It reaches a height of 1-1,20m, and has the peculiarity that its leaves grow needle-like. The flowers, however, are the same that have the Saint Queenwith its characteristic form of the bird called Paradise (genus Paradisaeidae) and whose origin is in New Guinea.
So, knowing this in cultivation we have to provide the care that I am going to tell you next.
In order for it to grow well, it is essential that the following is taken into account:
- Location: outdoors in full sun, or indoors with lots of light. It resists very mild and brief frosts down to -1ºC.
- Irrigation: rare, about 2 times a week in summer, and every 7-10 days the rest of the year.
- Subscriber: highly recommended to fertilize with liquid organic fertilizers during the warm months.
- Pruning: it is not necessary, perhaps cut the flowers and withered leaves so that the plant continues to look just as beautiful.
- Transplant: in spring. Change pot every 2 years.
- Soil / substrate: grows in all types of soils, but prefers those with good drainage. If you want to have it in a pot, use black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts.
What did you think of Strelitzia juncea?
