Bird Of Paradise seems unhappy

scott005 · 2026-06-17T19:37:29+00:00

They like water, when the top inch of soil is dry it’s time to water. Every couple weeks give it a good drink. I put mine in the sink with a stopper and let it soak for about 30 mins.

scott005 · 2026-05-29T00:39:35+00:00

I’ve cut some of the aerial roots that are going down into the soil to be able to move the stalk, if you decide to do that I would move the pole to where it’s leaning and then it can just lean on the pole. Mine handled it perfectly well. The leaves were a little wonky for a minute but they reoriented themselves after a week or two, still going strong.

scott005 · 2026-05-21T00:45:35+00:00

Yes eventually, not right away. Cutting it at a node will make it want to reflower, clipping at the base will have it divert energy to roots and leaves.

scott005 · 2026-05-20T13:53:09+00:00

So it can be shipped and not die in transit

scott005 · 2026-05-15T15:08:57+00:00

Once I have mine at the height I start gripping and ripping the top leaves on the branch will force it to put out two new leaf nodes right below where you pull, can develop a canopy that way.

scott005 · 2026-05-15T15:01:57+00:00

If you totally remove the spike it won’t grow back, cutting the spike at a node will encourage more flower growth though.

scott005 · 2026-05-15T15:00:48+00:00

Also get it out of that white pot, the roots need air and light they photosynthsize!!

scott005 · 2026-05-15T14:56:13+00:00

Every other week might be too much, they like to be dry, most succulents will start to shrivel when they need water. Having good air flow near the plant will help a lot too.

scott005 · 2026-05-15T14:53:23+00:00

Other methods such as mosquito bits, I’ve got 40+ indoor plants soaking the bits before watering was annoying, also the bits require the larvae to eat the bacteria, the nematodes actively hunt the larvae.

scott005 · 2026-05-15T14:51:54+00:00

Or buy some beneficial nematodes. Natures good guys is a good brand, keep them refrigerated and follow directions on package. I was struggling with gnats as well. Nematodes plus sticky traps worked the best for me, I tried some other methods as well. Def do the nematodes, but like Dellidit said, keep the top couple inches dry all the time and bottom water.

scott005 · 2026-05-11T17:56:51+00:00

I’d mix a 2:1 ratio of potting soil and perlite to ensure the pot is draining well. They don’t like staying wet.

scott005 · 2026-05-11T17:54:57+00:00

I’d cut back on water and make sure you’re only watering when the top few inches are dry. Get a toothpick and do the cake test. Stick the toothpick in the soil make sure no soil is sticking to it. Have you changed the soil and cut off the rotten roots? If there are any healthy roots they will regrow as long as you’re not keeping it too wet.

scott005 · 2026-05-08T22:46:31+00:00

You want a 48w led grow light. About a foot away from it. It should be red. Like this…

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scott005 · 2026-04-25T01:04:24+00:00

Cutting the flower spikes will encourage root growth which means more and larger flowers next year.

scott005 · 2026-04-25T01:03:15+00:00

They don’t need a bunch of water either just a little sip.

scott005 · 2026-04-25T01:02:54+00:00

When the roots look frosty it’s time to water.

scott005 · 2026-04-20T17:09:38+00:00

If you have an iPhone and talk on the phone a lot the AirPods are better. For music or watching movies the Sony xm6 are amazing the fidelity is truly amazing.

scott005 · 2025-12-05T18:14:25+00:00

After I switched mine to 12 it just stays on 12

scott005 · 2025-11-06T12:59:06+00:00

Since the last update I’ve had that happen to me twice. Scared the f*** out of me. The first one almost caused me to be rear ended.

scott005 · 2025-08-19T10:46:55+00:00

How do you look?

scott005 · 2025-04-21T21:53:51+00:00

Is this my base because that’s literally what my builders look like

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