PLANTING BIRD OF PARADISE
The success or failure of a planting often depends on whether the plants receive adequate moisture. Liberal watering during the growing season will encourage plants to grow more profusely and ensure a large crop of flowers during the blooming season.

To aid in proper watering, construct a saucer-like basin around the plant from the extra backfill soil. This will hold water until it drains down to the plant's roots. Both a soggy soil with poor drainage and insufficient watering will cause leaves to yellow and eventually die. During the winter months, plants should be watered only when the soil next to the plants is fairly dry.

Mulch placed around the base of the plants will help conserve moisture, stabilize root temperature, and reduce weed infestations. Keep a 2- to 3-inch circular area around the stem of plants free of mulch. Mulches against the stems of plants may increase the chance of stem rot.

Common organic mulch materials include leaves, pine needles, bark, wood chips, sawdust and bagasse (a sugar cane by-product). Inorganic materials like glass wool, gravel and crushed stone also are suitable. Peat should not be used because once dry it is very difficult to wet and may restrict water movement into the soil.
Fact Sheet ENH-79
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: February 1991