Question
I purchased a home 6 months ago in abundance with heliconia (red) bird of paradise plants. I have no experience or knowledge in this field. These beautiful plants are slowly dying on me. Since they are outside plants and I don't have a sprinkler system, watering them is on me. How often should I water them? What kind of plant food do they need and how often should it be given? They are such beautiful plants, it is truly a shame. My black thumb is killing them. Please Help!

Answer
Nikki, Heliconia is indeed a beutiful tropical! it grows from underground rhizomes (corm type root system); you are correct in that it needs to be kept moist and needs a lot of sunlight to thrive. You stated the watering was on you; in that case at least you can fertilize and water at the same time by using a soluble fertilizer like "miracle grow" or "peters", that way you are killing 2 birds with one stone...(bad pun) lol. try to water your birds as much as you can and once a month do it with the miracle grow; to reduce the amount of watering time, try putting down a thick layer of mulch at the base of the plants to retain moisture in the ground. Keep cutting the flower heads and bringing them inside for display, this will encourage more growth and enable you to enjoy them from inside your house also...good luck Nick:)