Hello,
I'm a new plant mum and I bought my BOP a couple of weeks ago. I've noticed the leaves have dark brown spots and some yellowing has occurred. I've remove some of the baby leaves that started to turn completely yellow. Some of the leaves also are curling. It receives about four-six hours of sun. I have repotted since I've gotten it, I was considering repotted with a better soil mix, some epsom salt, and blood meal but I'm unsure if it's too soon and if will cause more stress on the plant but I heard now is the time to start fertilizing for bigger green leaves. I would appreciate any advice and tips.

Most of what is visible on the leaves are ordinary defects and tears that are unavoidable for the most part. Likewise, the leaf curl and drooping of the older, lower leaves are normal.

Good sunlight and proper watering are what produce healthy new growth. You -cannot force it with any fertilizer or by repotting it. A very dilute standard fertilizer no more than once per month is sufficient. Leave the Epsom salts and blood meal on the internet where you found it!

WillC said:Most of what is visible on the leaves are ordinary defects and tears that are unavoidable for the most part. Likewise, the leaf curl and drooping of the older, lower leaves are normal.

Good sunlight and proper watering are what produce healthy new growth. You -cannot force it with any fertilizer or by repotting it. A very dilute standard fertilizer no more than once per month is sufficient. Leave the Epsom salts and blood meal on the internet where you found it!

Okay Thank you Will, I will keep up with what I'm currently doing and stick to the standard fertilizer. I appreciate the advice

Hi Will, I have just read through this thread and it's clear I could use some additional advice as I too have a bird of paradise that is showing some distress signs. I'm in the PNW and I got it about 1 year ago. It has sprouted 5 new leaves and another one that just started popping out 1 week ago since then.

However, I just noticed today that there is a mushroom that popped up over night and when I looked into the bottom tray it has a bunch of mushroom/fungi in there too (see pictures below). About a month ago the leaves had started curling a tiny bit and yellowing around the tips so I increased watering so I suspect I have over done it.

If it's still advised in this situation, I'll remove top layer of soil and let it dry out and get more oxygen. Should I deal with the fungus and exposed roots in the bottom tray? I also read somewhere else that this may be Armillaria desease? Any advice you have for me on what can be done to save it would be very appreciated. Thanks!

@Jasonf777 The mushrooms are fungus that are harmless to your plant and do not require treatment. YOu can pluck them out as they emerge. They are an indication that non-sterile potting soil was used when it was repotted. That may mean there are other contaminants in the soil, but otherwise, it is a non-issue.

Your White Bird appears t be healthy so I wouldn't recommend any significant changes in its care. If it seems to take much more that week for the top inch of soil to dry, then you might want to remove the excess from the top surface. The uppermost roots need to be just barely covered.

@Willc thanks for the great news!! Really appreciate your insight. I'll be watching the top layer of soil to make sure it's drying out alright. Thanks again!

This is amazing working on stuff like this myself actually.

Hi!! I'm in need of some help with my BOP.

I got it as a gift at Christmas and it isn't doing well, I have tried putting it in brighter light, watering, misting. I even contacted the company that i purchased it from and nothing seems to work.

I wonder if it's Root rot? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

@jaderum It looks like the soil has been getting too dry. How do you determine when to water and how much do you give it?

WillC said:@jaderum It looks like the soil has been getting too dry. How do you determine when to water and how much do you give it?

Thanks for your quick reply!!! I water it once a week or when the soil at the top feels dry and I water it around 1litre per water and let it soak through. It starts to drip out the bottom of the pot.

Although i have brought a moisture metre to help me monitor the soil.

I'm just worried that all the leaves will die before I can save it.

@jaderum - Your White Bird is very tightly potted now that the roots have expanded. You will need to water it thoroughly, as you described, twice per week or move it into a pot once size larger.

Whatever you do to keep the soil around the roots moist, the existing leaf discoloration is permanent. You can trim off the brown edges if you want. With improved watering, new growth leaves will come in and remain green.

Moisture meters are not reliable.

I've come down this morning to find my 4 yr old has watered my bop.. and given it about 4x the water i would have..
(I only watered him yesterday too..)
Is there anything i can do to check he's not going to be rotting..
These spot have appeared on one of his leaves too and some small leaves at the bottom have yellowed.
He was given to me at Christmas when he grew too big for my friends house.. hes got 3 new leaves growing so i think hes happy..

Would love any tips to keep him happy! (4yr old has named him Steve... or leafy depending on the day 🤣)

@SammyR89 - Is your plant in a pot that has drain holes for the excess water to run through? A photo would help.

Hi Will I need some help here! I'm very new to house plants and I've had my bird of paradise for 20 days now.

It grew a new leaf recently, but already having curling edges and browning edges.
the stems close to the roots also grew dried / brown / curling edges.

I've cut off the browning edges of the leaves, but not sure what to do with the brown and dried edges close to the roots. Are these the signs of roots rot?

Thank you very much for any guidance here!

@yanyanjen - Please post a photo that shows the entire plant and its pot. How do you determine when to water and how much do you give it? Can you provide any details about its last repotting?

Hello! I was hoping I could get advice on my white bird of paradise. I purchased him about 3 months ago, and he was doing great until recently. He is in his original 12" pot, I have not repotted since he was putting out substantial growth and I did not want to shock my plant. I water with distilled water and a recommend amount of liquid fish fertilizer when the soil becomes dry. I did recently move and for one moth he was in a temporary area receiving direct evening sun for about 6 hours. I have now since moved him to his permanent area that receives 4 hours of direct morning sun and indirect light in the evening. Recently I noticed a leaf stem became soft and wrinkled, assuming it was just a dying leaf I pruned it at the base. Since then the rest of the stem has become soft and wrinkled with leaves turning slightly yellow and brown with a curl, and the new growth has yet to continue as before. I have moved him outside to try and dry my soil. Could this be be root rot?

Please post a photo that shows the entire plant. How do you determine when to water and how much do you give it?

I feel the bottom soil through the drain holes and water when it feels dry. I give about 2 gallons worth to make sure all of the soil is wet, then I let him drain completely. Is this too much? The most recent watering I did forget to mix liquid fertilizer and rewetted him with 2 pints a week later.

@lilipad03 - Only the top half-inch of soil should ever get dry. If you are letting the soil at the bottom get dry, then you are definitely waiting too long to water. Always water thoroughly as you described when you do water. You should saturate all of the soil with each watering. Use fertilizer only at half strength and no more than once per month.

Thank you for your advice!