I have owned a bird of paradise for about two years. It is about five
feet tall and has about half a dozen large leaves, with another half
dozen small leaves near the bottom. Since I got the plant, I've taken
good care of it and it appears healthy, sprouting up a new leaf about
every 4 months.

My problem is that a friend was here, a clutzy friend, and he fell on
my bird of paradise. FELL ON THE DARN THING. So he bent almost all
of the stalks; they snapped like twigs. I couldn't believe it. All
of my big beautiful bird of paradise leaves, now sagging and resting
on the floor. Even though the inside supporting material snapped, the
outer "skin" remains intact. I quickly hijacked some poles from my
rubber tree and carefully used them to prop up my bird of paradise's
damaged stalks...hoping they will restore like broken bones.

My question is, will the plant ever heal? If so, how long would it
take? If not, what should I do? I'm considering just pruning off the
bent stalks, but that would be like starting over with it. Even
though I haven't had it very long, I'd like to keep it instead of
having to buy a new one.

thanks for any advice,

phil (phrom san phrancisco)

p.s. my rubber plant, newly liberated from its poles, is quite
enjoying its freedom.