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Florida Gardening

Heliconias

11 years ago

Hello -

I'm pretty new to gardening in Florida. I recently moved to Sarasota and I'm searching for heliconias but don't see them at nurseries in the area or the big box stores. Anyone know of a place in the area that sells them or, better yet, has some extras they're hoping to get rid of?

Thanks!

Zach

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Comments (7)

KaraLynn
11 years ago
You might just need to wait just a little longer before the nurseries get them in. It still a little early in the year for the big box stores to get in the tropical plants.
shuffles_gw
11 years ago
I have rostratas to spare - in Tampa. Also, another that I don't know the name of. I can also spare a few psittascorums.
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Hi Guys, I am another unfortunate person with a Heliconia craving in a bloody cold area. I have the same climate as coastal Sydney. I'm at the coast of Taree NSW and have below 2C-3C throughout the winter with the odd -1C. Also we have to watch our summers heatwaves with peaks of 47C (last Tuesday). Heliconias are possible, but only with a lot of effort. Protect your plant from cold wind as this can chill the stem causing the plant to die back to the ground. They may handle the air temperature, but wind chill will get them every time. Also Heliconias in our area must have excellent drainage. We are a winter rain area and this is dangerous for Heliconias. I've gone through 40 varieties to find the best ones for me. CoralCoast_Tropicals is right; H. subulata, H. spissa and H. schiedeana are the easiest. They are smaller and easier to protect from strong winds. H. subulata can take the most exposure, but H. schiedeana is supposed to be the most cold tolerant even taking light frost???(IÂve not tested this). Another excellent Heliconia and my favourite is Heliconia bourgaeana cv Hot Pink. I've had mine in the ground for 4 year. It has flowered as far south as Gosford that I know off. Also Heliconia latispatha cv. Orange gyro is pretty tough and very easy to flower. If you can handle spotty leaves then Heliconia rostrata is working out. I've talked to someone who flowered it in Ulladulla south coast NSW. It works because for us southerner it grows to only 1.5m high and so is easy to put in the right microclimate. The leaves will be spotty through the winter, but the plants flowers fairly reliably in SydneyÂs Northern Beaches. In flower it is stunning and worth the effort. Scot what was the variety that you bought?
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shear_stupidity
11 years ago
I'm looking for Heliconia people have to spare in my area, too. (Central coastal, near Kennedy Space Center).
I bought some last year at Home Depot, but they didn't have them until I think May.
zdaudert
Original Author
11 years ago
Shuffles: thanks! I'll write to you directly to see if we can work out a trade.

It sounds the big box stores don't have them until May-ish. Is that because they don't handle the winter here? I found this thread from 2006 that listed heliconias which survive in Orlando:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tropical/msg0820080723054.html
SusieQsie_Fla
11 years ago
Hi Zach
I have been trying to get my "tagami" to bloom for 8 years now.

Even in zone 10 where I had it most of those years, just the slightest cold snap, or wind storm will turn most of those beautiful leaves brown. and mine would not bloom - except one July in 2008. It was a four year old plant that was so vigorous and lush -but I was growing it for the cool bracts.

It is now planted in the garden we just moved from in Lake Placid -a giant crispy eyesore - and I wish I could go get it and give some to you and some to Bridget!

Anyways, I don't recommend "Tagami".....

Just my two cents,

Susie
bananafan
11 years ago
I don't remember what I have now .., but it's very sensitive to cold. It survives the Winter alright and comes back year after year, but then it will lose steam again and go into dormancy when the cold hits. I've never seen any of them bloom. I'm about to give them all up. I'm planting Cordyline red sister in their place. Even my giant bird of paradise bloom for me .. yeah after a few years' wait.

That said, it might just be me, I'm sure others may have better luck with their plants. Also, it might depend on which variety .. maybe there are some varieties that are a little less cold sensitive? If you're looking to getting some soon, is end of March soon enough? Greenfest 2013 is coming up soon (Mar 23-24), I think. I'm sure you'll be able to find plant vendors who carry them there.

All the best to your search.
teeandcee
11 years ago
I see that link includes Leu Gardens. My aunt and I were just there yesterday and "Holiday" is gorgeous. I highly recommend visiting. We saw lots but "Holiday" was absolutely covered in blooms.

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