Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) Alba Seeds

Info: The bird of paradise flower or strelitzia is a beautiful houseplant which originates from South Africa. The green leaves are basal and leathery and from the leaf axils grow on long stems the beautiful and striking flowers, which resemble the set up feather combs of birds of paradise. It is not easy to grow, but it is worth it. The Alba variety has black and white flowers.

Sowing & cultivation: First remove the orange hairs from the pea-sized seeds. Then file the hard skin slightly until the whitish inside becomes visible. Then let the seeds soak in a glass of water for 24 to 48 hours and then put them 2-3 cm deep into pots with growing soil. If you cover the container with transparent film, you will prevent the seeds from drying out. Keep warm (approx. 25-30°C) and moist. Every 2-3 days remove the foil for 2 hours to prevent mould growth. Keep evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. The mature plants can be placed in large tubs in the conservatory or in bright living rooms, preferably at 10-18°C. Do not move the plant after the flowers have formed, otherwise the flowers will not open further. In summer, the strelitzie can also go outside. They need a sandy and loamy, well-permeable soil, on waterlogging it reacts with root rot.

Image Source: Forest & Kim Starr, Starr 070208-4395 Strelitzia nicolai, CC BY 3.0