How to Repair Bird of Paradise Leaves

A bird of paradise is an exotic and unusual plant that grows in warm, semi-tropical environments. Like any plant, it can suffer leaf damage. Bugs and improper care are common causes. Bug damage will appear as scale or as holes and pock marks. Improper care can cause wilted leaves. You can repair your bug-eaten or leaves with scale by using an insecticidal soap. Repair your wilted leaves by correcting the composition of the soil and by proper feeding and watering.

24-ounce to 32-ounce spray bottle

Insecticidal soap

Horticulture oil

Cayenne pepper

Organic fertilizer

Soil test kit

Combine 1 tbsp. of insecticidal soap, 1 tsp. of horticulture oil, a pinch of cayenne pepper and warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.

Spray the leaves evenly with the solution. Spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves.

Scrape away scale using your fingernail or a stick from a frozen treat. Be gentle--scale will scrape away easily.

Re-spray the leaves with the solution, and wipe each leaf individually with a dry, soft cloth. The solution will suffocate and repel bugs, and the leaves eventually will rejuvenate.

Spray the bird of paradise leaves again if the bugs reappear.

Follow a proper watering and feeding schedule. Too little or too much fertilizer and water can cause wilting. Apply organic fertilizer to the plants only every three months during the growing season. Water just enough to keep the soil damp, not letting it dry out and not making it soggy.

Position the plant properly. Make sure it isn't receiving too much direct sunlight. Birds of paradise like heat, but too much can dry and wilt the leaves. Replant in partial shade or add a nearby landscaping element to provide partial shade.

Examine the soil. It should not be compacted because that prevents proper drainage. Pick up a small amount of soil and sift it through your hands. It should have equal amounts of clay, sand and silt. If the soil is gummy, it has too much clay. If the soil is ultra-soft and compacts easily, there is too much silt. If it is very grainy, there is too much sand.

Do a soil test to analyze the nutrient and pH levels. Tests kits are available from extension offices and garden shops.

Dig up and temporarily pot the plant to fix the soil, if necessary. Blend up to 25 percent compost to balance the levels of clay, sand and silt. Based on the test results, add any necessary ingredients to balance the nutrient and pH levels as instructed in the test kit. Replant the bird of paradise the following season to allow time for the compost and added ingredients to blend well with the soil.

Remove dead leaves so that new ones can grow.