Question: I have a bird-of-paradise that is five or six years old and it has never bloomed. It is in front of our house (Florida), which faces south. I feed it and it has grown about three feet in height. I would like to know why it doesn’t bloom.
Answer: This is the main complaint from nearly everyone who grows the bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia regime).
For one thing, your plant is not old enough. Normally, a bird-of-paradise does not flower until it is about seven years old. It is possible for a plant to bloom a year or two earlier if it is pushed and given the best attention.
It needs rich soil: equal parts good garden loam, peat moss, coarse sand and well-rotted manure. Feed with a soluble fertilizer once a month from April to September, or three times during this period with a dry fertilizer such as 4-8-8.
In October, give an application of low-nitrogen fertilizer (0-14-14, 2-12-12) to plants that have reached what should be flowering size but still refuse to bloom.
During winter, give only enough water to prevent leaves and roots from shriveling. You say that your plant is on the south side of the house.
This does not necessarily mean that it is receiving full sun. Strelitzia needs full sun until one or two in the afternoon, and can take it all day if given enough water.
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