Bird Of Paradise: Troubleshooting
Bird of Paradise, sometimes called the Crane Flower or Strelitzia, is truly one of the most spectacular and showy tropical flowers found anywhere on earth! This one-of-a-kind flower is composed of a large, boat-shaped bract (modified leaf), green, purple in color, from which a succession of orange flowers emerges. On average there are five flowers per bract. Though tropical, Bird of Paradise are typically available year-round. The flower is orange with blue and purple accents and at first may appear delicate, but with the right care and handling is quite resilient and extremely long-lasting.
1) Problem:
Ethylene Sensitivity
Solution:
Bird of Paradise have a low sensitivity to ethylene. To minimize the risk of any possible negative effects due to ethylene exposure, Bird of Paradise can benefit from an ethylene action-inhibitor product such as EthylBloc™* during storage and transportation.
2) Problem:
Disease Sensitivity
Solution:
Botrytis (small circular pinkish or brown spots), and Anthracnose (small round black spots on petals) can develop. Good sanitation and humidity management, especially during packing and transportation, helps control the development of Botrytis. Do not over pack boxes, always allow good airflow and avoid temperature fluctuations during shipping to prevent condensation from forming inside the packaging. Using anti-fungal products can also help.
3) Problem:
Mechanical Damage
Solution:
Susceptible to mechanical damage due to improper packing. Extra care should be taken to cushion blooms, and blooms should not rest or touch each other to avoid damage.
4) Problem:
Chilling Injury
Solution:
Bird of Paradise is a tropical flower and highly sensitive to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Lower temperatures can cause cold damage or "burning" turning blooms discolored and black. Avoid burning by maintaining storage and transport temperatures between 55-65°F, 13-18°C.
Need to Know: Bird of Paradise Helpful Hints
Properly Mixed Flower Food: The Benefits
- Helps blooms fully develop and open.
- Helps Bird of Paradise stay hydrated and avoid wilting.
- Results in longer vase life and better color development.
Keep them Fresh!
- It is recommended to treat with an ethylene action-inhibitor product such as EthylBloc™* during storage and transportation.
- Recommended flower food solution for storage/transport: FloraLife® Express Clear ULTRA 200.
- Recommended flower food solution for end consumers: FloraLife® Express Universal 300, FloraLife® Universal 300* or FloraLife Crystal Clear®* packets.
- Cooler / storage temperature should be 55-65°F, 13-18°C.
- Birds of Paradise should ship dry pack, cushion packed between blooms for protection. Line your boxes with FloraLife® Transport Paper sheets prior to shipping from farms.
Performance
- Average vase life for Bird of Paradise is 7-14 days if protected from cold damage.
- Opening speed is extremely slow, opening speed will increase with warmer ambient temperature.
- Bird of Paradise can be mixed with other flowers without any negative effects.
- Bird of Paradise should be purchased when the first flower emerges from the bract. Look for proper packaging avoiding brown tips or signs of cold damage. Flowers should be dry when received. Chilling injury can occur at temperatures below 13C (55F), symptoms are like ethylene injury. Check the flowers for any damage when you receive them.
- Bird of Paradise look best when mixed with other tropical flowers and foliages so they can be stored at warmer temperatures. They make excellent focal flowers. Bird of Paradise can be used in foam, but the vase life is shorter than in vases. Use OASIS® secure foam to support heavy, thick stems. Check foam often to be sure stems stay hydrated. Use FloraLife® Finishing Touch to keep blooms fresh and hydrated.
FIFO
- Follow the FIFO (First in First Out) guidelines for inventory rotation. For best end consumer vase life experience, Bird of Paradise should be stored no longer than 1 week.