Heliconia (Heliconia) is a spectacular herb belonging to the family of the same name. Natural habitat - tropics of the central southern parts of America, southeast Asia. There is an assumption that the plant is named after Mount Helikon, on which, according to Greek myths, beautiful muses lived.
Description of the plant
Heliconia is a tall (up to 3 m) herbaceous perennial with a powerful rhizome and a pseudostem formed by large, oval-elongated leaves. In their shape, venation and arrangement they resemble banana leaves. The only difference is in their two-row arrangement on the stem.
Heliconias grow fast enough, and bloom in the second year. In this case, an inflorescence is formed on each segment of the root, bearing the stem and leaves. Heliconia has a peculiar period preceding flowering. The flowering itself is accompanied by a sharp and active growth of the stem, which is shortened in the vegetative phase. The shoot, as if waking up, very quickly breaks through the inner part of the vaginal canal and brings to the surface a beautiful, unusual shape, hanging or vertical inflorescence. It is formed by a large number of small flowers, safely hidden inside the leaves, called coverts. The plant seems to be ashamed of their nondescriptness and reliably masks.
The covering leaves are colored in various shades: bright red, orange, pink and yellow. In some species, the edges of the leaves are emphasized with a yellow or green border. The wax coating gives them a glossy shine and elasticity. All this enhances the decorative effect of the covering leaves. Many people take them for a flower.
The original structure of inflorescences and the external similarity of the stem and leaves of heliconias with some animals and plants, for example, banana or strelitzia, gave rise to the origin of other names for the flower: parrot beak, lobster claw, false bird of paradise.
Caring for heliconia at home
Location and lighting
Heliconia, like other plants in the tropics, prefers bright, but diffused light. For a short period of time, the flower can be in direct sunlight.
Temperature
The optimal temperature range for plant growth is from 22 to 26 degrees throughout the year. In winter, the permissible temperature limit should not be lower than 18 degrees. Heliconia does not like stagnant air and is afraid of drafts.
Air humidity
Heliconia needs high humidity in the room. If the air in the room is dry, then the flower must be sprayed at least 2 times a day. You can use a kermazite tray filled with water. In this case, it is important to ensure that the bottom of the pot does not touch the water. Heliconia feels great in greenhouses and greenhouses.
Watering
In the spring-summer period, heliconia needs abundant watering, as the top layer of the soil in the pot dries out. In winter, watering will be reduced, but the soil should not be allowed to completely dry out.
The soil
The optimal soil composition for planting and growing heliconia: leafy, soddy, humus soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1.
Top dressing and fertilizers
From March to September, Heliconia is fed once a month with complex mineral fertilizers. In winter, the plant does not need to be fertilized.
Transfer
Heliconia is transplanted annually in the spring. At the same time, the new container is chosen much larger than the previous one, by at least 5 cm. Particularly large specimens are planted in tubs. A good drainage layer is placed on the bottom of the pot.
Reproduction of heliconia
Heliconia is usually propagated by seeds, by dividing the rhizome or by layering.
Before sowing, the seeds of Heliconia are soaked for 3-4 days in hot (60-70 degrees) water. It is convenient to use a thermos for these purposes. After soaking, sowing is carried out. The seeds are placed in boxes filled with a mixture of sand and peat, deepening them by 1.5-2 cm. The boxes are covered with an airtight material, creating greenhouse conditions. Periodically, the container is ventilated and the topsoil is moistened. Seedlings will appear within 4 months.
When propagating heliconia by dividing the rhizome or by layering, it is necessary to make sure that the adult plant has a well-developed root. Next, carefully separate the offspring from the mother form and buried it in a separate pot. Place the pot with the plant in a dark, warm place with high air humidity.
For successful rooting, moderate watering is required, and in dry air, the pot with the plant is covered with a plastic cap with small holes. The film is removed only after the growths appear (within 1-3 weeks). It is important to ensure that the leaves of the plant do not come into contact with the surface of the film.
Growing problems
- Summer yellowing of leaves - insufficient nutrition, drying out of the earth.
- Autumn and winter yellowing - lack of light, too warm, especially at night, indoor air.
- Loss of turgor (lethargy) by leaves until they fall off - lack of moisture, dry air.
- The appearance of wrinkling is a sharp drop in air temperature. Older plants have a deficiency of nutrients (phosphorus, magnesium and potassium) in the soil.
- The appearance of yellowness at the tips of the leaves is an excess of calcium in the soil or its overdrying.
- The appearance of yellowness on the entire surface of the leaf is a lack of moisture in the soil or, conversely, excessive moisture in the soil, leading to its compaction; dry air; preparation for a rest period.
- Curling and falling of leaves - lack of moisture.
- Excessive stretching of shoots, loss of brightness of the color of the leaves - lack of light.
Diseases and pests
Heliconia rarely gets sick, but is sensitive to damage by a scabbard and a spider mite.
The scabbard feeds on plant juices, leading to a change in the color of the leaves, their drying out and gradual dropping. The flower affected by the scab is treated with soapy water, then with diluted (1-2 ml per 1 liter of water) solution of actellik.
The appearance of a cobweb on the plant, the leaves become lethargic and fall off - evidence of the invasion of a spider mite. This usually happens if the plant is kept in a room with very dry air. In this case, the flower is saved by washing it with soap and rinsing it under a warm shower. In order to prevent relapse, the plant is regularly sprayed with water.
