Strelizia (also Strelitzia) grow quickly if they find good site conditions that are similar to those in their homeland. This means lots of light and warmth, especially in the summer months. If everything is fine, it will have to be repotted soon
When and how should you repot a Strelizia?
Repotting a Strelizia is ideally done every 3 years and is best done in spring or summer. Carefully remove the roots from the old pot, remove the old soil and repot in a permeable substrate with a pH value below 7. Do not fertilize afterwards, but water regularly.
It's time to repot when
the parrot flower:
- suffers from a nutrient deficiency and no longer blooms
- pushes its roots out of the drainage holes
- its roots sticking out of the ground
- stands in a substrate that is too wet and root rot may set in
- is in a pot that is too narrow
- only growing poorly
When do you repot the Strelitzia?
As a rule, it is necessary to repot a Strelitzia every 3 years. The plant should not be repotted more frequently. Older specimens can also be repotted less frequently because they no longer grow as quickly. The best time is in spring after overwintering or in summer after flowering.
Attention: The roots are extremely fragile
You shouldn't act radically or roughly here. The root system of the Strelizia is considered to be extremely sensitive. The fleshy roots break easily. If they are injured, the flowers may not appear.
Take it out of the pot and shake off the old soil
First, the plant and the root ball are carefully removed from the old pot. Shake off the old earth. Now would be a good time to divide the perennial if you want to propagate it.
Find the right substrate or mix it yourself
If you have a tall bucket ready, you can fill it with soil. But which soil is suitable? You can use conventional potting soil (€4.00 on Amazon) or pot plant soil. Alternatively, you can mix the substrate yourself, for example from compost, sand or fine-grained lava and coconut humus. It is important that it is permeable and has a pH value below 7.
What should you pay attention to afterwards?
After repotting, you must not fertilize the plant. Watering is crucial afterwards so that the Strelitzia can grow. It shouldn't be cut as this puts additional stress on it.
Tip
In the years between repotting, the top layer of soil can be replaced.
