Heliconia Outdoors?

[shed]

Hello, has anyone tried sticking a Heliconia outdoors (and watched it die, etc...)? I was thinking about trying to over-winter a few tender plants in my cellar on a heatmat with some Envirolites and it occurred to me I could waste rather a lot of money trying a Heliconia Rostrata outdoors (for one hot week or whatever) and it could spend most of the rest of time in a dingy hole in the ground, brilliant! Its a tropical dream... Cheers!

[dablo93]

I HAD a H. bihai 'Peachy pink, it died, I got it in may and it just died, our summers are too cold.

[kentgardener]

I HAD a H. bihai 'Peachy pink, it died, I got it in may and it just died, our summers are too cold.

Hi Dablo

I am growing one outside since May and it seems to be increasing ok here in Kent. I am not sure where you are when you say 'our summers' as I can't see your location under your name. Could I ask where you are?

many thanks

John

P.S. Hi Shed - I just noticed I don't know where you are either - locations are really helpful under your name on posts as it helps people to answer the type of query you have.

cheers Guys (or Girls - sorry not sure from your names).

[shed]

Thanks (sorry it didn't pan out dablo93), it does sound like a bridge too far but perhaps my location (now updated in my profile, phew!) might stand me in good stead. One for next year perhaps if I'm feeling particularly ambitious.

[kentgardener]

I guess I should add that my one will be going indoors come the winter - I have only placed it outside for the summer.

regards

John

[Dave Brown]

I had a Heliconia once.... am I right in thinking it is a Crabs claw plant? Don't remember what type it was, but was not happy outside, and was decimated by Red Spider Mite inside. I think you probably need a very sheltered place and as much humidity as you can give it. If some are hadry enough to use as summer deck plants I might give them another try.

[simon]

am I right in thinking it is a Crabs claw plant?

Close, Dave. The common name is lobster claw. I assume the pic you attached is not of the one you used to own.

Am I right in thinking that Rostrata is one of the harder ones to grow? Why is it the showiest plants are always the least hardy?

H. Rostrata I photographed in Borneo.

[dablo93]

Hi,
I'm from Holland (bit south of amsterdam)
Ithink it was sensitive for the temperature etc. because it was bare rooted, and very small.
I think that larger specimens will grow better outside;)

[nicebutdim]

I have had heliconia rostrata outside in the garden since last April where it still is.Now about 6 feet tall and still producing new leaves.Had no blooms yet but up until now I have always kept it dry in winter,which seemed to be a mistake as it looked a lot better kept watered,although this was inside under cover.It is a lot hardier than I had previously thought.It has multiplied like mad over the last four years,far too big to keep indoors all year round.Chunks of it are available at a tenner