Giant bird of paradise - don't make the mistake I did

[Shambala]

I inherited a few giant bird of paradise plants with our new house. Big ones, 15-20 feet tall. After getting tired of looking at the dead parts around the trunks I decided to clean them up and remove the dead parts. After finishing and a quick trip to the store, I come home to find that the tops of two of the plants just snapped off. Apparently the plants need the dead “growth” up the trunks for support. Major fail on my part. I hope the other plants don’t meet the same fate.

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[marble falls]

1. half bury on its side and water the fallen piece, it just may root and thrive. Don't take down the the trunk.

[Shambala]

2. Thanks, good tip.

I’ll try that. There are lots of shoots and growth around the base where it looks like many others trunks were previously cut off at the base. I will leave trunks and see if anything sprouts. I had regular bird of paradise at my previous house that I used to thin out pretty regularly with no ill effects so assumed the giants would be just as hearty.

[marble falls]

3. I love plants, I also make mistakes. Fortunately I have had some good luck reviving a lot of my victims.

[Deuxcents]

4. Don't know where you are but these grow everywhere here in sw Florida..they are beautiful

They do regenerate and those seeds in the flower fall and start new growth. They can get overgrown and we clear out dry areas for appearance because I like them in clusters.

[Shambala]

5. Southern California

Inland so far from the coastal climate. More dry, deserty.

[Deuxcents]

6. I just googled and yes, your climate should be fine..grow zones 10, 11.

What I didn’t know was their origin..I thought they were mostly tropical but they’re native to South Africa and are drought tolerant..