Strelitzia reginae ‘Dwarf Form’

DWARF BIRD OF PARADISE

COLLECTOR’S PACK

Strelitzia reginae ‘Dwarf Form’ 
DWARF BIRD OF PARADISE
COLLECTORS PACK

Strelitzia reginae ‘Dwarf Form’ is a special dwarf and compact form of the classic “Bird of Paradise” plant.

Exotic blooms shaped like birds

Full size blooms have exceptional and striking colouring – vivid steel blue, bright orange and white
Plus wonderful flower form – like elegant cranes taking flight, or the crown of a crested peacock.

Full size blooms on a compact dwarf “Bird of Paradise”

And blooms are borne on stately stems 1-1.5m. high.
So the whole plant is upright and tight growing, with strong architectural presence.

Flying above a clump of banana-like foliage 

Strelitzia reginae ‘Dwarf Form’ has exotic, tropical looks from top to toe.
With the bird-like blooms floating above a clump of paddle shaped leaves, looking for all the world like the foliage of bananas.

Perfect plant for adding a tropical feel

“Bird of Paradise” plants effortlessly add a tropical feel to gardens and pots, no matter where in Australia you garden.

Thrive in the tropics & down south

They thrive in the open garden in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates, where they can tolerate light frost in the open.
While they also succeed in cool climate gardens – provided they are given some overhead cover from hard frosts.

Superbly decorative in pots for courtyard, balcony or even indoors

And with their striking colour and architectural form – Strelitzia are superb features for decorative pots on a balcony, highlighting a courtyard, or a bright spot indoors.
And a balcony, sheltered courtyard, or indoors is the perfect way to grow them in cool climates – so they are protected and not afflicted by hard frosts.
This dwarf, compact form is the perfect choice.

Air purifier indoors

“Bird of Paradise” plants are valued as indoor air-purifiers, with their lush and broad foliage and ease of growth.

Grows well in pots or crowded amongst garden companions

Strelitzia reginae takes well to being a little pot-bound and is perfectly happy crowded in competition with other plants in the garden.

Creating a tropical look even out of the tropics

So again it is perfect for cramming in and creating a lush, tropical look, even when you are not in the tropics.
They are tight clumpers.

Long blooming

Each flowering stem usually bears 5-7 of flowers, opening in succession.
So the plant provides blooms over months.

Prized for floristry

No self-respecting florist can resist the elegance of even a single “Bird of Paradise” gracing a vase.
Blooms last well in a vase, staying fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Sun or shade 

Grow in Full Sun or Part Shade.
Dappled light and shade or good reflected light is also to their liking.
These exotic birds enjoy good drainage, and hail from South Africa.

Low maintenance

Strelitzia reginae is an easy-care, low maintenance clump.
Providing they have well drained soil or container, there is little to do to keep their exotic good-looks.
They enjoy soil with either a slightly acidic or slightly alkaline pH, and some organic matter.

No prune

And no pruning required, though you can cut of any damaged or old leaves right to the base.

Water-wise & easy-care 

Strelitzia are water-wise plants that don’t need heaps of water, and don’t mind a little drying out between drinks. Though they cannot abide being waterlogged.

Tightly clumping evergreen perennial

Tall, stately stems 1-1.5m. high, with flowers atop, and broad, paddle shaped, banana like foliage.
Tight, dense growing evergreen clump 90cm. wide approx.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Strelitzia reginae 

Sow seeds of Strelitzia reginae at any time indoors, whenever suitable temperatures are available (25-30°C).

 Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First prepare the seed by removing the orange tufts.
Then gently file or nick the hard outer seed coat to allow water to penetrate to the kernel.
You can do this between 2 pieces of fine sandpaper / with a nail file / with nail clippers.
You need to be able to see a little of the white inner kernel.

Now place the seeds in a glass container of warm water that has been previously boiled and allowed to cool slightly.
Allow to stand overnight. Then in the morning repeat. And again that evening repeat.

Now plant the seeds in a punnet or small pots, of good quality quality seed raising mix.
Sow each seed 1cm. deep.

And thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the punnet / pots in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place in a warm, well-lit position (but not in any direct sunlight as this will dry out the seeds).

Seeds love warmth

Temperatures of 25-30°C are ideal.
Using a heat mat is good to maintain consistent warmth, as the seeds love warmth to germinate.

Also maintain consistent moisture by regularly misting from a spray water-bottle.
Covering with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag will also help to maintain the necessary consistent moisture.

Seeds can begin to germinate in approx. 2 weeks, but do not discard the punnet, as it is normal for these seeds to stagger germination, and for some to come later over a period of time.
This is a natural trick of the plant to give some seeds a sporting chance of germinating into most favourable conditions.

Prick the seedlings out into larger, individual pots as soon as they have developed their first set of true leaves.
Grow on and gradually introduce to sunlight and outside conditions.

COLLECTOR’S PACK: Seed Count: 2 large seeds per pack approx. (Seeds of this dwarf form are scarce).

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