Heliconia "Parrot's Beak" for named heliconia

I have some shoots coming up so I can offer a few separate rhizomes for other named Heliconias.

I called the nursery where we bought this and the owner told me the official name for this Parrot is "Heliconia Psittacorum Choconiana".

It is a dwarf plant that grows to 3-4' and the flowers average out to about 4-4.5".

Karen,

I just traded some Heliconia for a plant that I want very badly, an orange Bird of Paradise.

I don't want to seem like a maroon, but how do I ship this plant? Do I wrap the roots in paper towel and seal it with plastic, like I would other plants? Where does the rhizome come in?

I guess I don't quite know what to expect when I dig it up.

Thanks. Steve.

Skaz,

Ok, here is Heliconia 101.

First and foremost you do not "dig it up". Heliconias are plants that produce shoots, little baby pups.

Take your biggest seregated kitchen knife and while holding the mother plant slice down into the dirt between the two as far as you can go. This could be about 10" so make sure the knife is long enough. You may want to water the plant prior so we you attempt to pull the pup up it does not have too much stress.

That root will be your rhizome.

I hope all goes well and your BOP brings you joy.

K

K,

So I seperate the young shoots from the mother, and mail them? She generated a lot of shoots, but they're not so young anymore.

Steve

Steve,

Yes you seperate them from the mom plant but cut directly down in the ground between the mom and the shoot. Never cut a heliconia sideways.

K

Thanks, Karen. I'm going to attack it this weekend.

Steve

Not a problem.

Stay dry.

would you happen to know the names of these. someone was throwing these out so i rescued them. they are probably at least 15' tall.

Couple of questions. It appears that there is green on the tip. Is that correct. Does the flower get green on it anyplace else and if so where.

Also, how tall does the flower actually get (how many bracts)?

Do you have a pic without the leaves partially blocking the flower?

K

Steve,

Here is what I sent you fully opened up :)

I am pretty sure this is not listed on plantfiles. I will have to see how to get it included.

K

Karen,

Beautiful, aren't they? How tall do they get?

I was out looking at mine yesterday, and noticed that they had taken on some red coloration, that I hadn't seen before.

I'm going to a huge plant show/sale at the Univ. of Southern Fla in Tampa today - over 60 vendors. Maybe threre will be other varieties.

Steve

Steve,

They are dwarf, 3-4 feet.

Good luck at the show :o)

K