Strelitzia reginae - Bird-of-Paradise at the San Diego Zoo

Stunning shot!

I agree with David

Really pretty! Because of the low humidity, they rarely show more than two "plumes" at a time, here in the desert!

David, Yorkshire:

Thanks so much! : > )

Tugbrethil:

Thanks! That's amazing to have only few flower spikes on these very spectacular -- although very common shrub.

Oh, we get plenty of flower spikes, but each beak only winds up with one or two feathers attached at a time--they fade as fast as they open. I don't actually know what the cause is, but I've been blaming the humidity because they bloom during our cooler months, so it's less likely to be the temperature.

Tugbrethil:

It's probably not the low humidity. In Southern California the humidity can drop down to the singles digits during Fall and Winter due to Santa Ana Wind conditions...and they still bloom perfectly.

Hmm. So there's another mystery! So much to learn.

Tugbrethil:

Possibly soil conditions...or soil pH, maybe?

Maybe, though I try to correct for that. You probably know how hard it is to deal adequately with alkaline, highly buffered, salty soil! They do it in containers, too, so I still have my doubts....Maybe the greater difference in day and night temps?

Tugbrethil:

It could be the big difference in day and night temps...or a combinations of many factors.

Excellent photo, excellent flower, top notch Palmate. : > )

Thanks! : > )

It's such a commonly planted shrub here. I still love them!