Strelitzia R. questions

19 years ago

Hi, I have a fair sized potted Strelitzia Reginae and am having problems with 'leaf curling'. During the colder months it resides indoors in the living room (being from the UK we need to have central heating on regularly at that time) and the leaves hardly ever had this problem...the older ones did begin to roll and brown but I put that down to natural causes as they approached the end of their life. Since spring it has been relegated to the greenhouse due to it's increasing size and the leaves have taken on this rolling effect, even the newer ones do it. Any ideas? Took it outside today and hosed it down really well as I thought it may help refresh it...It was from what I call (and can't resist) 'the dead and dying section' of a local DIY store around 3 years ago and had 2 miserable leaves. It puts out 5/6 leaves each year I guess. It currently is pushing out 3 at once. It was top-dressed in spring with a generous amount of new compost with fertiliser pellets mixed in...please take a look and advise me where I am going wrong...I would hate to loose it.

Gill.

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Comments (3)

rosco_p
19 years ago
Gill: Was just pondering your problem and looking at the plant... was wondering whether or not the plant is potbound?? This sometimes has caused curled leaves on some of my plants. Just a thought!! Ross.
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
Original Author
19 years ago
Ross, mmmmh, must admit it hasn't been re-potted for a while, just top dressed, as its only begun to send out those big/long leaves last year and this. Maybe I've had it for longer than 3yrs, it must be 5-6 come to think of it, time goes so quickly....so you could well be correct. Checked it but there is no sign of roots coming through the drainage holes. Read they like to be pot-bound in order to promote flowers, so it could be a trade off?? May get d/h to help me tip it out and investigate the roots...thanks Ross,...anyone any more ideas as all are most welcome.
Gill.
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birdsnblooms
19 years ago
Gill, your bird is really nice-looking..what size pot is it in? Can u measure the diamter across pot to determine its size?
Yes, it's true Birds need to be potbound to promote flowering, but only after it matures. They say a Bird needs 7 or more leaves before flowering, I think yours has 10.
What type of food are you using? I think alternating is a good idea..in other words, a blooming type food one month, an all purpose the second month, or however often you feed.
Curling leaves can be caused by too much heat, cold, overwatering, underwatering, potbound and insects..LOL..take your pick.

Since your plant looks healthy, I doubt it has insects, but give it a once-over. Look for mites, scale, mealy, aphids, etc. Better safe than sorry.

Too much fertilizer can also cause problems, but usually leaves brown..especially chemical type foods. It will burn roots if overfed.

Drastic heat or cold can also curls leaves. What temps is your gh? Maybe you should keep outdoors a few days and see how it does..

Changes in atmosphere can also cause leaf curl..Has there been any changes since the curling started?

Like Roscoe said, it could be rootbound..but if you don't see roots growing outside the drainage holes, or on top of soil, then that may not be the answer..

How about humidity? Is it getting enough? Dry air causes curling..
Well, now that I've given you multiple choices, you can figure out the source..I hope so..your Bird is really nice. Take care, and good luck, Toni