Excepts from a talk by Dr Zainudin Haji Meon
Introduction
Heliconias are brilliantly coloured ornamentals, often used in functional
landscape (e.g. along curbs and roadsides) and in gardens. They have the
best effect when grown together in large numbers.
Heliconias belong to the plant Order Zingerberales, and are therefore
related to the banana, traveller's palm, canna and gingers. There are
some 500 species of Heliconias, some with interesting and vivid names
such as "Sexy
Pink". Common ones such as Heliconia psittacorum in yellow, orange and
red are usually grown as hedges. The striking red H. rosfrafa is also
known as Lobster or Crab Claws, or as Firecracker. The Bird of Paradise
(Strelitzia reginae) needs a cool temperature to flower. It will
grow in the lowlands,
but will not flower. Good varieties are hard to come by because they
can
be very expensive.
Functional role
Heliconias are grown for the following functions:
- avenue planting
- as fillers
- in containers
- to increase
wildlife diversity - because they attract butterflies and birds
- used in
large floral decorations and arrangements
Cultivation and Care
Propagation
Heliconias are propagated by:
- seed
- tissue culture (for mass propagation)
- rhizomes or root cuttings.
Planting with rhizomes is the most common method and is very easy.
The rhizomes are cut into 3-4" lengths, and planted in soil
which has enough moisture and organic matter. Organic matter
can be in the
form of
various livestock dung or fish washings from the kitchen.
Heliconias should be grown under mulch (coconut fibre, cut grass,
etc.).
Requirements
The main requirements for good growth of Heliconias are:
- Shade
- Tall cultivars require about 50% shade. However, some like H.
psittacorum are sun-loving.
- Moist
conditions - this means humid but not water-logged soils
- Well-drained
soils with good texture and high in organic matter content
- Fertilizers
of the formulation
15: 15: 15, as well as organic manure, applied
every 2-3 months
- Plant maintenance
Common problems
Don't neglect your Heliconias. Most problems
arise from poor plant maintenance,
such as:
- Overcrowding
- this is very common if root pruning and culling (i.e.
removal of plants or suckers) are not
carried out every six months.
- Malnutrition-especially,
not enough nitrogen. The symptoms are pale
looking leaves. Lack of flowering can be caused by nutrient deficiency
or too shady a spot
- Diseases
- the common one is Fusarium wilt which causes necrosis in
the leaf tips and margins. Another
is root rot.
- Pests
- most common is the mealy bug, found on the underside of the leaf. It can also attack the flower bracts.
Maintenance
Trenching is a technique to remove unwanted leaves and roots.
Leave just 2-3 tillers or suckers per
plant. Use more organic fertilizers as Heliconias thrive on them.
However,
when
planting
in
pots, do not over-fertilize.
Heliconias should be replanted or repotted
after three years. Most of all, Heliconias
need
TLC, that is. Tender Loving Care!
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