Dont forget a lot of the ones grown in NT will not flower in SEQld.
Ian

Ian, The heliconias I saw were seed varieties of common
psittacorums that flower quite well here. They were developed by the NT govt. Based on the parentage they may
flower here but I don't know. Perhaps someone may know .
Don

Don,

Most psittacorums will flower in Brisbane without any problems. When I lived there I had around 20 types of psittacorums alone and up to 120 different types of Heliconias all up.

I only have a couple of psittacorum types growing now due to the fact that they take up too much precious room that could otherwise be used growing the larger species and their cultivars.

Andrew.

Andrew,
I have only just recently started growing some heliconias and don't really want to waste my time with
species that won't perform here on the Sunshine coast. I know you have Hot Rio Nights as one of your favourites. If you were going to plant say 10 species , what would you recommend? Also , do the clumps need digging up and re-planting every few years? I have an older clump of Claw 1 and last year it looked terrific but this year not so.
Thanks. Don

Birdiana, Richmond Red, Papasania, Kawachi just to mention 4 that will grow well here.
Ian

Forgot to mention that James from 'Cooloola Heliconias' will put you right on what varietys to plant. He has a web site as below
Ian

Here is a link that might be useful: Cooloola Heliconias

Don,

Many types will grow there quite well but you will get mixed results with flowering. Some will flower well one year and not the next. It is hard to decide which ones are best but as for species and cultivars that will flower very well you can't go past

Heliconia caribaea x bihai KAWAUCHI
Heliconia caribaea x bihai JACQUINII
Heliconia bihai CLAW 2
Heliconia bihai CLAW 1 (Single flush of flowers in spring, CLAW 2 is better)
Heliconia caribaea x pendula HOT RIO NIGHTS
Heliconia lingulata (Flowers year round)
Heliconia Birdiana

HANGING FLOWERS
Heliconia pendula RED WAXY
Heliconia collinsiana
Heliconia rostrata

These are all reasonably large heliconias. I don't waste my time and space with many of the smaller varieties except for Heliconia angusta and a couple of the Heliconia strictas such as JAMAICAN DWARF and DIMPLES. Many of the strictas are poor performers in the subtropics and not worth the effort.

Ian mentioned RICHMOND RED. I don't know how long he has grown it but I find that it will flower 'reasonably' well but in some years it can be poor and in my opinion (for me anyway) with a large plant like that if it isn't covered in blooms it aint worth growing so I ripped my clump out.

Andrew.

Don,

I think I know which one heliconia you are referring to. I think I remembered one of the heliconia growers talked about it on our recent trip to Darwin. Does it have red flower? Not sure of the name though.

But, Ian & Andrew are right, there are nicer variety of heliconia out there. Although, the psittacorums do look nice in flower arrangement.

Regards, Ari :)

Ari,
The NT govt.developed a number of varieties. Amongst them were types: Crackerjack, Flamenco, Rose red, Exotic,
and Red devil. Being in NT Ari, a simple trip to your local nursery will probably answer my query. They may only be available to NT cut flower producers. I will try the relevant govt.department soon.
Don

Well, if you are really interested, I know some cut flower producers. If you can't find it anywhere else, send me an e-mail.

Regards, Ari :)

The New releases are only available to the cut flower industry. The growers are fairly protective of their heliconias so it may be a while before some rhizomes find their way out.

i have heard on the grape vine they want $150-200 per root,thats what i would call protective of new flowers.