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| Courtesy
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| Courtesy
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MEXICAN
RED BIRD OF PARADISE
(Caesalipinia pulcherrima) |
| (Click
pictures for full size images) |
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Dear
Craig:
Last
month I planted several Mexican
Red Birds of Paradise. These plants
look so colorful when I see them
while driving. I’ve been watering
mine once a week, but the ones I’ve
planted seem to lack color and have
turned yellow. What have I done
wrong?
Lisa
in Surprise
Dear
Lisa:
The
Mexican Red Bird of Paradise, Caesalipinia
pulcherrima, is not only a beautifully
colorful shrub, it is also drought
tolerant. This plant is one of the
easiest of all near‑native
species to grow. The plant thrives
on neglect and low water. The red
bird, for short, is a rapid grower
that can reach ten feet, but looks
best when maintained at six.
Here is what I believe may be the
problem with your plants. First
of all, new plantings, including
drought tolerant varieties, require
frequent watering until established.
In general, new plants are grown
in a light soil, and until their
roots penetrate the existing surrounding
soils, the roots dry out easily.
This drying is caused by the speed
that water flows through light soils
into the surrounding dry soils.
These dry soils absorb the moisture
like a sponge, leaving little for
the new plant. You may think you
have watered enough, but in reality
you need to give your red birds
more water. Water new plants in
the fall season every three days
for the first six weeks, and then
reduce to one two times a week after
that.
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Another
contributing factor that may prevent your plants from thriving
is the cool temperatures in our evenings. Plants that are
not established feel the effects of cool air. Many young red
birds yellow during this time of year.
I
can tell you the first year is the hardest on the plant, but
when established, your red birds will grow rapidly once spring’s
warmer temperatures arrive. For now, I suggest that you water
more frequently.
The red bird is also slightly frost tender, so make sure you
protect it during periods of
frost, at least for the first year. Once your plant is established,
treat it with a little neglect. Red birds thrive in hot weather
and start blooming once the daytime temperatures reach 100
degrees.
Maintaining
your red birds is easy. Since the plants are semi‑deciduous
and may lose all their foliage
during the winter months, prune them back on or around March
15. This date is generally the last day that frost appears
in our area. Let them grow out from that time until the next
spring. Pruning during the summer or fall can be done safely,
but you will miss most of the blooming period. Feed them in
the spring with a well‑balanced fertilizer, 10‑10‑10
or 16‑8‑8.
That’s
all there is to it. These plants need very little water, grow
quickly, are easy to maintain, and thrive on neglect. Once
they are established, water once a week or less and you’ll
have beautiful shrubs full of bright colorful flowers all
summer long.
Listen
to Craig Saturday mornings from 6 to 7 a.m. on KFNX 1100AM talk
radio and watch his new TV show, “The Carefree Gardener–With
A Little Help From Our Friends” on KPNX‑TV 12, Saturdays
from 5 to 6 a.m.
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