Item Tag: Peacock Flower

Mexican Redbird Red Bird of Paradise 25 Seeds Texas Plants FREE Shipping U.S.A. Please see “How to Grow a Mexican Bird of Paradise From Seeds” at the end of the listing. Recent feedback from our customer: “The seeds arrived quickly, and well packaged. Using the paper towel method, of germination, I started five seeds right away. Four sprouted within just a few days, and are 4-6 inches tall with 3 sets of leaves now. I used the same method to germinate 4 more seeds, and they are now approximately an inch tall. These plants with become quite large, so I will probably gift the rest of the seeds. I’m really happy with how well these seeds have germinated, and are growing into healthy plants.” These Red Birds of Paradise seeds are from our organically grown red bird of paradise plants in Austin, Texas – Absolutely no chemical used! These are not imported seeds! Photos are our plants – over 6 ft tall Fast-growing shrub with light green fern-like leaves topped with clusters of fragrant orange-yellow flowers almost all year. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Ideal for planting in mixed borders or as a specimen plant. Appropriate for informal gardens and naturalized areas. Excellent for planting along fences and walls. Tolerates hot, dry conditions. Does best in light, well-drained soil. Water regularly until established. Pruned back early each spring to remove dead or damaged branches. Plant 6-12″ (2 to 4m) apart. The plant grows up to 10-20′ (3-6m) How to Grow a Mexican Bird of Paradise From Seeds Prepare Seeds Mexican Bird of paradise seeds are slow to germinate so you need to scratch or nick each one to enable it to soak up water. To scratch a seed, rub its rounded edge with a file or emery board until a white spot shows through the brown shell. To nick it instead, use needle-nosed pliers to hold the seed still on top of a cutting board, and chip a tiny piece out of its rounded edge with the tip of a utility knife. Always scratch or nick a seed on the side opposite its hilum, the mark or indentation indicating where the seed was formerly attached to its seed stalk inside the pod. Afterwards, drop the seeds into a container of warm water for 24 hours. They should sink to the bottom and swell somewhat in size. You may need to discard any that didn’t sink, as they aren’t likely to be viable. For those that didn’t swell, try scratching or nicking them deeper until they do. Sow Seeds Fill a container that has drainage holes to about 1 inch short of its top with a damp combination of 1 part seed-sowing mix and 1 part sand or perlite. If you prefer, blend 1 part cactus potting mix and 1 part perlite instead. Space the seeds about 2 inches apart on the surface of that mix and cover them with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of it. After topping the container with plastic wrap, place it on a seedling heat mat, if necessary, to raise the soil temperature to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure mix stays damp. The seeds should sprout within one to four weeks. You can also create an effective germination environment for your seeds simply by using a paper towel, ziplock bag or coffee filter and water. This bagging method is ideal for difficult varieties that have problems sprouting using the traditional seed-starting mix. 1. Fold a paper towel or coffee filter in quarters and then spray it with water until it is damp. 2. Place your seeds in between the fold. 3. Position your towel and seeds in the ziplock bag. Seal it up. 4. Place your bag on top of a warm spot such as a heat mat or on top of the refrigerator (An ideal germination temperature is 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.) 5. Spray your towel and seeds each day with water to keep it damp. 6. Check for sprouting seeds. When they germinate, bury them under a light layer of sterile potting soil. If you use a paper towel, cut the portion of the towel that has the germinated seedling because if you pull the seedling, you can tear the root. Raise Seedlings Once seeds have germinated, remove the plastic wrap and place the container on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light that runs for 14 to 16 hours per day. Keep the seedlings’ mix lightly damp. When seedlings have at least four leaflets in addition to their two seed (original) leaves, transplant them into individual 4-inch pots with drainage holes, that are filled with cactus potting soil. Feed them once every two weeks with a plant food at half strength.