Bird of Paradise Blossom

If you live in Florida or other warm states, this may not be impressive to you. But here in the northeast, this blossom is great to see especially, in the deep winter.

I've posted pictures of this before but every year it seems to be another "miracle". My brother-in-law brought back some Bird of Paradise seeds just before our oldest daughter was born. (I won't give the date away) My Mother-in-law planted them and after they sprouted, gave one to each of her kids. Slowly they gave out but ours flourished. Then one day we had a blossom. The plant was only a few feet tall. But the blossom was magnificent. Since then the plant has grown, been divided many times, sprouts given away and moved to its current container, a large green garbage can.

We found out that they have long tap roots and will grow larger if you will put them in a larger container. Needless to say, we stopped putting the plant in a larger container. Somehow, a large garbage container is enough!

We put it outside in the summer and bring it back in in the fall. A big reason to not have a larger container. The process involves a large dolly (bag truck) to move it and boards to act as a ramp for the steps to the outside. We are fortunate to have a very wide front door for the project.

Still every blossom is welcomed (not so much on moving day)

B

www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Bird of Paradise Part 2

It took us two days to get the Bird in its place. One to get it in the door and two to move it to its permanent winter location. The move involves chairs, lamps, tables and some vacuuming. Here is the Bird in its final place for now. As I type on my laptop, I can see it if I look up (as above)

The Bird started when my brother-in-law went to Hawaii in 1961. He brought back some Bird of Paradise seeds which he gave to my husband's Mother for Christmas. She proceeded to give some of the seeds to her children. Our oldest daughter was born the next May and we remember, from that occasion, how old our Bird of Paradise really is. It started out in a fairly small pot and blossomed for the first time in the spring of 1973. A big deal!

Some where we have a picture of our youngest daughter standing next to the plant with the first bloom. It was shorter than she was. (Now the plant is taller than all of us)

Anyhow, as it grew, the plant was transplanted in to ever larger containers. Some time in the '80's we divided the plant. It required shovels and a spading fork to accomplish the job. The roots go very deep and are very thick We gave away several of the smaller plants and the last and current transplanting was in to a large trash can. It could be divided again but we can't face the big job it would be.

Some time in the spring we hope to have some blooms to show. Often we have as many a 7 blooms.

One of the questions I always get when the plant is brought in from outside is "Do you get any bugs that come with it?" My usual answer is "No" Well this morning my daughter pointed out that that is not always true. I took this picture before the creature was summarily ushered out the front door.


He was on the screen right next to me on the window near my elbow. Yuck. He was BIG!


B

www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Bird of Paradise moving day

It is that time of year when the frost danger is near and we need to move the "forest" inside.
This year I have taken up some of the "forest's" space with my workspace/table. But there is some space left for the large Bird of Paradise. That was the original plan. (Hope it works out)

The edict was given this morning that the Bird of Paradise will be coming in today. Yuck! I'm caught. I still have a small table with "stuff" on it. So, I worked some this morning and cleared the table out. You know what else is left, don't you? DUST! Both my husband and I are sneezers when dust is disturbed. Now we (I) have to vacuum.

To add to the problem, I have a dinner meeting with my South Shore Beaders Group late afternoon. Yay! My daughter has to pick up the kids from school, a birthday party, homework etc. That leaves my husband and son-in-law for the grunt work. Seems fair.

This picture was taken last winter after the Bird blossomed. It reminds us that all this work is worth it, though I'm never sure while the moving, in or out, is going on.

Note: this was written on Wed and I forgot to post it instead of just saving it. Thus the out of sync story.

B

www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Bird of Paradise

Way back my brother-in-law went to Hawaii and brought back some Bird of Paradise seeds. We each received one and we have had plant(s) ever since. It is now as old as our oldest daughter (I’m not giving out the year to protect the innocent - which includes me)

Anyhow, we have had very good luck with blossoms and this one came into bloom just before we left for Christmas vacation. There are two others too but this is the best picture.

We could divide the plant into several smaller plants. This one resides in large "garbage" can with wheels on it. However, the wheels really don't help when it comes to moving it. They all reside outside during the summer and it is always a big production when we move the "forest' inside or outside. My husband has a "ramp" to go up the two steps (one at a time) from the front side walk into the front hall. Then around the corner to the place of honor in the living room front windows. Several other plants are there also.

My jewelry table and shelves are next to the "forest" and it makes a cozy place to do my designing and construction of my pieces.

This picture gives a little more perspective on the space involved. (Our ceilings are 10 feet tall and the windows are to the left - the Christmas tree is in the door way to the hall) It is nice to have some beautiful flowers in the winter time.



B