In article ,
"David Hill" writes:
| I have 2 "Bird of Paradise" plants now in their 6th year, and both now with
| their first flower spikes (1 each).
| I put it down to their having been neglected last summer, having baked and
| been allowed to get very dry many times, in fact what they probably
| experience in nature every year.

Yes. The Cape of Good Hope has a more equable rainfall than the
savanna to the north, but still has distinct wet and dry seasons.
They grew well in conditions where there was NO rain (and damn
little dewfall) for 6 months of the year. They aren't immune to
damage from drying out, but are pretty resistant.

Mine has only one spike, which could be due to the wettish summer,
or could be due to the fact that it flowered vigorously last year.
I bought it as an established plant, so 'cheated'!


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.