Just curious as to the success of others trying to grow these beauties in any zome lower than 10.
I am in zone 9 B and mine were thriving outside until the cooler weather arrived. They have been doing well by a very large, sunny window for about a month now as they don't like temps below 50 degrees. Spider mites--nasty little beasts, attacked and I have been able to keep them at bay by washing the leaves with mild, soapy water and keeping the area cleaner. I also have 2 large Heliconia carribea species (Black Magic and Purpurata) in 15 gallon pots in the same situation and they seem to be doing fine though all are growing much slower. I predict with this mild winter they will all be outside back in their regular places by next month. I am finding heliconias aren't too bad to overwiner in the house with a few precuations taken as I mentioned. These are just too big for the 2 small greenhouses which are chock full of smaller versions of these plants as well as other various tropicals.
Anyway, any other heliconia enthusiasts on here? I don't ever see much on here mentioned about these strikingly beautiful plants. BTW-- I do have other species outside planted in the ground here. I have discovered that H. collinsea X bourgeana 'Pedro Ortiz' is a natural for this climate and it gets about 8 feet tall with a spectacular, red, semi-pendulous inflorescence. It recently went down to 31 with only minor leaf burn and no cover. Others that do well in the ground with just a little protection (a blanket tossed over them for the evening) are H. angusta 'Red Christmas' (this one is starting to bloom), H. stricta Jaquinii, H. stricta 'Oriole Orange, H. stricta 'Dwarf Jamaican, and H. psittacorum 'Andromeda. There are a few others I have seen at Henry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando which is only about 15 minutes from where In live.
I really wish there was more data available on cold-hardiness of heliconias. It is surprising the number of varieties that can make it up even into zone 9 in the ground. The other thing is that many heliconias can be grown in large pots-- 15-25 gallon-- successfully and made to bloom beautifully, with winter storage in a warm, sunny place made much easier with the mobility of a pot. Anyway....... anyone else care to share your expertise?
Brad
Heliconia 'Sexy Pink' & 'Sexy Scarlet'/ Cold Hardy varieties
I lost a very pricey one last year, when we had out 20-second snow storm. was planted inground. I wimpered for about a week.
This year I got smarter (I think) and potted them up and brought to a protected area. They still look deader than door knob, so it remains to be seen if they will make it z9
I'll have to go the the area to ck the names, can't think of them right off hand. I know one is a stricta, psittacorum and one is latispatha.
Is this the Sexy Pink you have? I am waiting on seed I ordered from rarepalmseeds a while ago, and heliconias are supposed to be difficult here, but that doesn't stop me from trying. I fell in love with this one, have admired many. Does anyone know of the best way to germinate them?
I found a Sth American site with lots on, I think they had some cold hardiness, not certain, see if I can find it
http://rarepalmseeds.com/shop/HelPin.shtml
I found a really good link off a link, they sell seeds, and if you look at the germination guide they say h chartacea can take up to 1 year to germinate! Oh well, like palms ot strelitzia, I just want one not being greedy! If you go to the bottom of the germination page there is a link to some great photos
http://www.viveroanones.com/
I haven't been able to find the site in mind, but did find one that has a list of high elevation heliconia species, which should indicate more hardiness. Most say they are tropical.
http://premium.caribe.net/~tciendre/index.htm
This may be the most accurate information
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/67107/index.html
brad
you are not alone. i love heliconias especially those sexy pink. if you ever are up for a trade let me know. i have a few different ones here in zone 10 but i think ii gets a little colder up near orlando ( is that where you are?) i have never had any problem with pests and my heliconia. only the hurricanes really shread them.
these one i got on garbage day. they threw out 40 or so. now they are at least 13ft. i love to get cuttings from them
Candela,
That looks like Heliconia stricta 'Jaquinii'. I have one fo these as well and with only a light sheet thrown over it it has survived the few frosts we've had this year. I am in the Orlando area by the way. Come Spring we will definitely need to do a trade as I have a few cool ones as i am sure you do. Thanks! Keep in touch.
Sorry to hear about your losses, Vossner. I am lucky I never get snow here--yuck. If I were you, I'd be keeping them all in big pots from the sound of your weather--maybe put up some simple greenhouse to keep them warm over the Winter.
Wallaby--yes, that is the one.
Thanks for the information, April.
Brad
I have about 20 kinds in pots in Iowa, in a greenhouse in winter and outdoors in summer. I have sexy orange but not big enough yet to bloom. I have H. Lady Di, andromeda, and stricta Jamaican dwarf in bloom right now.
Eclipse, that is amazing! love the red midrib. How do you keep them in your zone in a greenhouse? What temperature do you keep it at? I don't have heating in mine.
I was under the impression these needed a LOT of warmth to flower? If you can do it, so can I! What sort of summer temps do you have? You can tell I'm getting excited can't you!
eclipse that one is gorgeous especially with the red stripe down the leaf. drooling over my keyboard
brad i have have a few of the heliconias, and some ornamental bananas (musa coccinea), gingers(shell, cone jungle king , blue) and the hedychium (coccineum). just to name a few if you are interested later in the spring.
wallaby thank you for those links. my mother in law just built a house in puerto rico and i was looking for nurseries there to help her with the landscaping. boy am i going to be heaven the next time i go. i will have to bring an extra suitcase.
I definitely want to talk about a trade later, Candela. Thanks!
That pic is Dwarf Jamaican that Eclipse posted. It is an easy to grow one and blooms easily in a pot, getting only about 2-3 feet tall. I have this one as well--it's quite nice.
Candela, check out Montoso Gardens in Puerto Rico. It is a nursery AND a botanical garden of natives, tropical fruits, and many tropical flowers. I want to visit, and have only orderd through the mail. It is a great business and has received top feedback here on Dave's Garden Forum under tropical plants vendors.
I am posting a few pics of heliconias I took this year.
H. carribea 'Purpurata'--
H. coll. X bourg. "Pedro Ortiz'
H. stricta 'Jaquinii'
H. bihai
These plants are so addicting, with their banana-like foliage and intensly colored flowers.
Ya'll post your pics, please! I never tire of looking at them.
Brad
keep your pictures coming. do you have any gingers, calathea, curcumas, or don't get me started on bromeliads
Wallaby, the greenhouse is about 65F this time of year, it should be more..at the other facility we had a warm house kept at 78F so they loved it. Our summers can be tropical like brazil or cool like Canada.Varies every year, last year was a hot summer all summer.this year may not be. they don't like to be cold and wet..cool temps they need to run on the dry side.They need humidity too, your climate may be too cloudy in weinter to keep them happy.Most of mine are full sun to half day shade depending on the varieties
This is H. Rostrata the tall form.
I got a bare root hedychium ellipticum last spring, it did flower in my shady greenhouse, but I was waiting for the flower to open 'fully' and the cold weather came in and made it soggy
Pic of the flower bud 6th September
We cross posted! That is amazing that you can grow them in your climate whatever sunshine you get! We haven't had much this winter, but you should see my house! It is rapidly being taken over by large jungly plants, but they still need sunshine, will still try!
This is the stem of hedychium elliptica, which dropped off inside this winter, the tuber is in a very large pot and showing a small growth trying to push out. I love its bright red node sheaths
I have 2 seedlings of alpinia zerumbet variegated, only about 6" tall and not showing variegation yet, a kaempferia rotunda I got as a tuber from ebay, it is in growth so hope to get flowers next year. I tried growing a hedychium mix from seed, only got one, but it is looking good and in its 3rd year, should get flowers next year. i haven't a clue what it is, was thinking of putting it up for ID, but the nodes have a pinkish flush, stems olive green-pale brownish, leaves have veins running longitudinally from end to end, not from the central vein, with slightly darker blotches on them. the backs are whitish like the back of some bananas, and a soft leathery texture.
Pic
Cool pics, everybody!
This is Tapeinochilus ananassae. I love this one! There is another variety called T. recurvata that is even more spectacular with a bi-colored inflorescence that I am looking for at the moment.
Here's a Costus barbatus inflo that got really huge this year.
Here's another ---- Heliconia nickeriensis 'Fire Opal'
i love the photos! that costus is incredible! i will have to get my camera out this weekend. i dont have many pictues of my heliconias. how often do you guys fertilize and with what?
I found the site I was looking for, in the Andes, it says their average temps are 23C, that is not high, so hope yet. There is a minimum order of $150 + $89 shipping and phyto costs, which is really OK if you buy a lot, they are very cheap mostly, some rare ones more. There is a really good range of other things too, so who's game? i think in a year or two I might be!
http://www.agrotropical.andes.com/faqeng.html
Wallaby1,
You have D-Mail.
Brad
A list of some species giving their natural locations and elevations
http://www.inbio.ac.cr/bims/k03/p13/c046/o0162/f01387/g007911.htm
Just moved to 9a and am wondering if there are any of the Heliconias that would do well outdoors all year year. We are planning a tropical front of home landscaping and would love to incorporate these. Karen
Karen,
Try the variety 'Pedro Ortiz ' I mentioned earlier in this thread. I have heard of it surviving temps down to 25 without complete die-back. A guy in Lake Charles, LA told me that was the case with this one where he is located. I do know it has done well here in Casselberry down to 31 with just the topmost leaves having some burn.
Brad
This message was edited Jan 18, 2006 5:11 PM