Have had this white bird of paradise for a year. Getting filtered sunlight and have had slow growth, but it suddenly seems to be leaning. And though it appears it may need water, when I do, water runs right through it. Misting regularly too. Does everything look alright here or any suggestions to help it? Thanks!
If the water is running right through, it might be hydrophobic. Maybe try sitting the pot in a bucket of water for half an hour or so.
2 likesReally interested in trying this. Read you submerge the pot until it sinks (soil gets saturated). Any downside? Shock to the plant?
0 likes Not if it's dry and hydrophobic. Just keep the water below the top of the pot so the dirt doesn't start floating out.
1 like
First, leaning most probably means it’s reaching for sun. Instead of filtered light, full sun is recommended for this plant. I have my BOP outside right in the sun. If it is due to lack of water, when you mean it runs through, do you allow for the water to soak into the soil? I recommend doing this and then keep watching the plant as it dries out and rewater once it’s completely dry. Otherwise I think she looks pretty happy and to help flower and grow, a good fertilizer should help.
1 like
I would maybe move it to an even sunnier spot. It is fine where it is if you are fine with what I looks like now but for large leaves and new growth putting outside will speed it up so quickly. For the lean make sure you are rotating your plant 90° every week and you can tie it to a stake to fix the lean. Over time and better rotation it will go back to normal.
2 likesCould also be just the weight of the stems/leaves that is causing the lean.
1 like
Exactly. I was going to recommend a moss pole or something of the like.
2 likes
These need so much light indoors. Also the name 😂
1 like
BOP has a tendency to be floppy. Years ago, I used tomato cages to help prop up the stems.
