The bird of paradise plant is a perennial plant that is frequently used as an environmentally friendly piece of decoration. This plant is somewhat difficult to take care of and people often encounter its stalks breaking off. In order to prevent this from happening to you, or from it getting any worse, here is everything you need to know about the bird of paradise’s broken stalks.
Causes of a bird of paradise broken stalk
Stem rot
Fungal infections such as fungus pythium may cause both the roots and stems of a plant to rot. This results in the stalks breaking off. Fungus pythium is actually one of the most common causations of rotting stems.
This infection as well as most other small irritations,such as mushy and soft stem bases, that may lead to bigger problems are usually brought on by dampness.
To prevent this from happening, ensure that your plant is provided with well draining soil and is not being over watered. Birds of Paradise can also suffer from root rot.
Shock
If you have recently repotted or transported the bird of paradise plant from its previous, well known environment then you are pretty likely to see it experiencing and suffering from shock. This shock is caused by your plant trying to rapidly adjust to its new surroundings and overall environment.
In addition to this, this shock could cause your plant’s stalk to bend or even completely snap off.
To prevent this from happening, be extra gentle and caring when inserting your bird of paradise plant into a brand new habitat as it will need some time to get used to the previously unknown conditions that surround it.
Lack of sunlight
Lack of sunlight is one of the most common causes of stalk breaking when it comes to the bird of paradise plant. This is because unless you are providing it with extra light through a solarium or other artificial light sources your plant is likely receiving inadequate amounts of sunlight.
This lack of sunlight results in the bird of paradise plant not receiving the right amount of light and overall energy it needs in order to properly create food. Furthermore, this forces the stems of your plant to weaken and eventually snap off.
In order to prevent this, ensure that your bird of paradise plant is receiving plenty of sunlight or other artificial light substitutes each day.
Lack of nutrition
If your bird of paradise plant is not receiving the right quantity and quality of nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium it becomes more weak. This is because these nutrients are what keep the plant’s stems nice and strong. Without them, your plant’s stalks will no longer be able to hold up the leaves and will proceed to break.
If you are looking to prevent this, make sure that the soil in which your bird of paradise plant resides gives it all of the necessary nutrients. If it does not, give it additional fertilizer to keep it healthy.
Rapid vegetative growth
On the opposite side of the spectrum, your bird or paradise stalks may also be endangered from too much access to nutrients such as nitrogen. This is because too much of nutrients like the one mentioned can cause your bird of paradise plant to grow rapidly and excessively. In addition to this, that extremely fast paced growth will cause the plant to become more brittle, vulnerable and weak. This weakness will make it incapable of holding up its leaves and will eventually result in the stems breaking.
How to fix a bird of paradise broken stalk:
You can try to fix the bird of paradise plant’s broken stalk(s) by using tape. Simply tape the broken stalk onto the healthy remainder of the plant. While doing this, make sure that you are gentle with your plant, as to not create any further damage, and cover and wrap all the parts of the stems and base thoroughly.
Leave the tape on for approximately two two four weeks, regularly making sure that your plant’s healing process is continuing to go on smoothly. Once the stem has healed, gently remove the tape.
Bird of paradise broken stalk – final thoughts:
Overall, the bird of paradise plant is a somewhat gentle plant that requires special attention and lots of sunlight in order to continue to thrive. That being said, if your plant’s stalk does happen to fall off, the solution to fixing it is pretty easy. Incorrect care can also cause a bird of paradise plants leaves to curl.