I have owned a bird of paradise for about two years. It is about five feet tall and has about half a dozen large leaves, with another half dozen small leaves near the bottom. Since I got the plant, I've taken good care of it and it appears healthy, sprouting up a new leaf about every 4 months.
My problem is that a friend was here, a clutzy friend, and he fell on my bird of paradise. FELL ON THE DARN THING. So he bent almost all of the stalks; they snapped like twigs. I couldn't believe it. All of my big beautiful bird of paradise leaves, now sagging and resting on the floor. Even though the inside supporting material snapped, the outer "skin" remains intact. I quickly hijacked some poles from my rubber tree and carefully used them to prop up my bird of paradise's damaged stalks...hoping they will restore like broken bones.
My question is, will the plant ever heal? If so, how long would it take? If not, what should I do? I'm considering just pruning off the bent stalks, but that would be like starting over with it. Even though I haven't had it very long, I'd like to keep it instead of having to buy a new one.
thanks for any advice,
phil (phrom san phrancisco)
p.s. my rubber plant, newly liberated from its poles, is quite enjoying its freedom.