Heliconia ideas

[DavidF]

Following from my bathroom houseplant thread I would like to purchase a Heliconia. I don't know anything about them apart from they are swines to keep alive outside so any species hints and tips would be great.

It can get to a least 5ft and if it thrived I'm sure it could be found a home that would allow it to get even taller. Does anyone know any good sources for them? They would have to do mail order unless they were oop North (so mail order it is then).

I have never seen one for sale in a garden centre so I'm assuming they aren't too common? Thanks in advance..

[SteveW]

I don't know much about heliconias Dave,but have a look at Aishah's ebay shop for ideas(no link sorry,I'm having computer problems )

[Mark]

Here you go Fletch.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ExoticMatahari ... idZ2QQtZkm

[Petefree]

David
It might be worth you asking the question on GOTE too? I suspect Chris (hilts) may be able to give a steer.
Pete

[Dave Brown]

Fletch, I was given a Heliconia by Kentgardener, last weekend, apparently his came from Don, not a million miles from you. Perhaps Don has some input

[Don]

Yes Dave, that was a monster pot bound thing that Mark Hall and Steve W dissected at the Wisley meet. It was a Bihai and lived (just) outside during the previous two fairly mild winters. It never made any flowers but was a good substitute for a hardy musa. I guess it may be too big eventually to fit on a bathroom windowsill but worth a go

[Mark]

Don, your one would be far too big to plonk on a window cill. Fletch, you would do better to stick to one od the smaller Heliconias Like psittacorum Andromeda or even Heliconia Stricta Dwarf Jamaican. Both the Psittacorums and Stricta are small heliconias. I used to have quite a few types many moons ago and found they needed high humidity to grow well.

I am not sure if you have the Squires GCs OOp north but you usually see them for sale in the house plant section for around £12 -£15.

[Dave Brown]

Yes Dave, that was a monster pot bound thing that Mark Hall and Steve W dissected at the Wisley meet. It was a Bihai and lived (just) outside during the previous two fairly mild winters. It never made any flowers but was a good substitute for a hardy musa.

Don, just confirming..... was hardy outside... Ooop North I thought these were as fussy as Coconuts..... 100% humidity and min of 21C or I'm just going to die on you

[kentgardener]

Yes Dave, that was a monster pot bound thing that Mark Hall and Steve W dissected at the Wisley meet.

Oi! I did all the hard work with the saw! I seem to remember Mark just stood and watched!

John

[SteveW]

Yes Dave, that was a monster pot bound thing that Mark Hall and Steve W dissected at the Wisley meet.

Oi! I did all the hard work with the saw! I seem to remember Mark just stood and watched!

John

Maybe dons memeorys not quite what it used to be
I know I supplied the saw and offered an opinion of where 'we' should cut it.
Out of curiosity how are everybodys doing btw?

[kentgardener]

I was wrong.... it was SteveW that stood around watching!

Mark Hall and KentGardener getting to grips with Don's big one.

Mine is doing very well - also managed to get 3 spare bits off it that are now with Dave, Gaz and Ali if my memory serves me.

John

[SteveW]

Aww man busted ,but if I hadn't brought the saw none of it would've been possible ....
so in a way I think you can safely say I was in charge