Scientific Name Strelitzia nicolai (Strelitz' plant, Nicolai's variety. The name Nicolai means 'victory of the people')
Common Name Giant White Bird of Paradise, Wild Banana, Natal White Banana
Origin Native to Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe
Description The Bird of Paradise is a majestic plant which is popular due to its distinctive flowers, shaped like the heads of vibrant birds of paradise. This species' flowers are white, standing out against its deep green foliage. Make sure you like the foliage when you choose this plant, too- it can take eight years for the plant to mature enough to flower indoors, but once it does, it can continue to grow and flower for years. It is definitely worth the investment! Care or this plant with a bright spot, moist soil and plant food at the right time and it will reward you with gorgeous blooms and foliage! Light These plants LOVE the sun; place them in your brightest spot and they will love you too! Water Allow half the soil to dry out between waters; reduce this in autumn and winter. Be mindful that you'll need to water more frequently in a very sunny spot, but in a shadier spot much less.
Humidity Average humidity is fine for this plant, but it will benefit from a regular mist or the introduction of a humidity tray, especially if it's near a radiator. It needs good air circulation, too, so don't let it sit stagnant!
Soil A moisture-retentive mix with added bark will work well here; add bark to a mix designed for Calatheas or Marantas for the perfect combo! Repot every year in Spring as the plant grows.
Food Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter. Temperature Average household temperatures of about 14-24°C are fine- make sure it doesn't consistently drop below 10°C in winter.
Pet-safe No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.
Sprouts Top Tips It can be tricky to get this plant to bloom indoors. Patience is key, but you can help it along too! It needs light and nutrients, and will flower better if it is slightly pot bound. Flowering is usually in late winter and early spring; a dormancy period in autumn and winter with slightly lower temperatures (though no lower than 10), less water and less feeding followed by increasing temperatures, more water and fertiliser high in potash will give it the best chance of flowering.
This month we have been busier than expected, which is obviously amazing. We have worked with some amazing businesses, including a very nice doughnut cafe thats opened on College Green that you need to check out. We have welcomed Jazz to the team, she's already settling in amazingly. And we look forward to the end of the year for that ever so special quarter that is very very important to retailers like us up and down the country.
We have launched our first (hopefully monthly) ‘Letter from the Founder’ blog post. I talk about a string of bad luck, from water gushing from various ceilings in my life to a break-in, and also reflect on the incredible work we have done to win two awards earlier this year. I look ahead to what’s coming up in August, projects we are working on with our clients, and some thoughts about the rest of the year. And I give an insight into my brain, why I am who I am and why I’m so thankful for all the opportunities, passion and excitement that running Sprouts has given me as a founder and as a woman.