just j

just planted 6 types of heliconia the other day they r all corms anyone got tips on growing them successful they r caribaea-criswick sticta-firebird orthotricha-edge of night caribaea-richmond red bahai-chocolate dancer bahai-cinnamon twist also started 100 seeds of the cinnamon twist this is my first time growing heliconias how do they do in the house over winter are they similar to the bird of paradise i want to plant them out side this spring and pot them and bring them in over winter will it work?

southlatropical

Heliconia do not grow well indoors. The frequent blasts from the heater in your zone will dry them out. But maybe you could put them in the bathroom with a humidifier or something. There are a couple of people here that are quite knowledgeable about heliconias. I would imagine they might chime in also.

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Bananaman88

Spider mites just love heliconias brought indoors.

just j

you know i never really had spider mite until i got this burgmansia that plant got them with in a week in my home that was the first time i ever seen those little thing well i got rid of that problen by throwing the whole plant off my deck into the snow im gonna have to clean that up when the snow melts lol but my banans never got them they covered the leaves on the tree i didnt even know what they were at the time all i knew was they could be any good

Bananaman88

Yeah, they're tough to get rid of. I took my potted heliconias out multiple times on warm days this winter and hosed off the leaves and alternated spraying them with insecticidal soap and orange oil. I have finally just moved them out and left them as we haven't had any nights that have been overly cool for two weeks now.

Lilith

All I can tell you is, you probably don't have the light you need or the humidity you need to grow them indoors in zone 4-5 because they will need to be inside way more during the year than outside.

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otavio.faria

hy People!
I study to became a master about heliconia production, in Brazil.
Do somebody have some e-books guides, sites, papers or other informations to send me.

thank you!

just j

heliconia society of porta rico

scottdurand

Yea, indoors will be so much work it's not worth it...lol Package them all up and ship them down here to southern Louisiana!

Steve L

I believe you and I discussed the heliconia issue a few months ago. Maybe it was another forum. Anyway, the ones you've selected to grow from corms are giants among heliconia. You will need very large containers and a strong back to move them around. Just like Lilith said, you will have a very difficult time growing these indoors due to the lack of sun and humidity. She used to grow many of the ones you're attempting in containers, lives in Florida and still had lots of difficulty. She now has a 2000 sq. ft. greenhouse but got rid of most of hers because of their aggressive growth habits. I haven't learned my lesson yet and am still growing many in pots and move them in and out of my small greenhouse. The only one that might work out is the Stricta Firebird. It's a medium sized heliconia. Unfortunately, it's not a clumper, it likes to move so your pot will fill up fast with new shoots. Eventually, it will blow out of the pot. The inflos are nice though. I admire your desire to grow these beautiful plants and hope to give it your full effore but it will be difficult without a greenhouse.

Steve

Tog Tan

Just thought I drop by for a visit though heliconia's were a thing of the past for me. Have you guys seen the Heliconia zebrina? Absolute stunner with leaves like a calathea. The upper surface has a velvety sheen with lovely markings. It is a cool grower and it doesn't flower here. All I know it has red colored flowers but I haven't seen it till now.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Steve L

I've only seen pictures of this heliconia and I may have seen one or two on eBay. I think the seller might be from Thailand. It's a stunner for sure.

jack hagenaars

Has anyone tried Heliconia Scheidianna 'Fire and Ice"? I just bought one and is said to be fairly hardy...I am in zone 8...and have my doubts ,but am trying it...I may mulch it as it is beside my M. Basjoo

jack hagenaars

Tog! Are you familiar with "Fire and Ice?

Bananaman88

Nice pattern on that one, Tog! Reminds me of some of the Calatheas.

Steve L

Scheideana is probably root hardy in Zone 8 but the chance of seeing blooms is near zero unless you erect some sort of portable greenhouse over it and provide heat during the winter. I grow this heliconia in the ground in two areas of my yard and have seen 1 bloom in 6 years. Most heliconia bloom on second year growth and this one is no exception. Hence, the stalks that grew during the summer must be protected during the winter to see blooms in the following spring and summer.

Steve

Tog Tan

Hey Jack, the Heliconia scheideana, Fire and Ice came out after I gave up but I did collect all the species that was available here some 10 years ago and I think I got most of them then. I didn't buy any hybrids or any of the psittacorum stuff. The reason I gave up totally is that they became invasive in my nursery and I had to ask the guy who sold them to me to dig them all away. He had a ball of a time telling me how much $ he made from my overflowing stuff!

Over here all the heliconia's are very cheap with the nice big flower ones costing about $10 a 20 inch clump in a black bag. I don't think I will go back to them cos of the way they grow!

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

jack hagenaars

Thanks for the reply steve...I have heard the same info...so I thought I would plant it in the ground anyway and split it in the fall and take a peice into the greenhouse for the winter....The foliage is nice on its own..for my zone anyway...anything with big leaves on it works for me...What is it with men and our Big....leaves:} Tog I dont know how you can resist the Heliconias....the lobster claws are so outrageous...I think my all time favorate plant...Maybe you should hybridise some and come up with a miniature heliconia...than you would be rich$$$$$

Steve L

Jack,

That's exactly what I do so that I can at least see a few blooms each year and you're correct, the foliage is nice with a touch of red on the leaf edges. If anyone hybridizes a heliconia so that they can bloom on first year growth, and it is the lobster claw looking bloom, they certainly make a fortune.

just j

yup cause that is what i need i have a caribea st. lucia in my house now and i think after this year its gonna have to be cut down some or maybe just let it bend down after it hits the ceiling