Heliconia Rostrata

Heliconia Rostrata (Lobster claw, False-bird-of-paradise) is an herbaceous perennial originally from the Amazon and native to Ecuador and Peru.

Specifications

 * Origin: Peru, Ecuador
 * Duration: Perennial
 * Size: 7' on average
 * Growth Rate: Fast
 * Light Requirements: Partial sun/filtered sun
 * Water Requirements: Keep moist
 * Min. Temp.: high 20s
 * Flower: Summer

Background
The Heliconia Rostrata is related to the Bird of Paradise and the banana. It's an aggressive botanical, it will spread rapidly, given favorable conditions. This is good for growers because purchasing Heliconias can be expensive ---especially if you plan to display a number of them (which is often necessary to complete an effective display).

Heliconia rostrata is one of the most recognized and widely grown heliconias, and one of the most beautiful. The inflorescence it produces is one of the most colorful you will ever encounter, with red bracts and greenish yellow edges. The flowers last a long time and make an excellent cut flower. It is an easy grower in tropical areas but some room is required because the stalks can reach 7 feet in height. Bright shade is ideal with good moisture in the air and in the soil.

Heliconia was named by Carolus Linnaeus for Helicon, the mountain in the South of Greece, where by mythology was living the Apollon (god of the art) and the nine muses (daughters of Zeus and patronesses of an art and science). The muses was young and beautiful. And the name "Heliconia" hint at the beauty and long-lived of these flowers.

Cultivation
Heliconias can be grown in pots but open landscape is best. They are also heavy feeders so they do needed tending. Sheltered areas are necessary if you are near strong winds, which can shred the attractive outer leaves. They can withstand temperatures in the high 20°s (with some protection) for a while but it grows better if kept above 50°.

This striking tropical can grow to seven feet and more, depending on conditions. When one first encounters this beauty, the experience can be unsettling, since the inverted appearance of these flowers gives them their common name of “Lobster Claw(s)”. They look more like papier mache painted with bright colors, creating a “carnival in Rio” effect. Smooth and waxy to the touch, one can see why the greenhouse populated with rostratas surprises and delights visitors. As cut flowers, they provide a striking centerpiece for a formal dining occasion. The plant grows fast and can be invasive, and when you contemplate it in its full glory, you wonder if, in its own way, it is aware of you as you are aware of it.

Display
This exotic, and most recognized, heliconia blooms a remarkable tropical plant of princely dimension hanging up to 3 feet in length with striking red and yellow bracts. In pots it will flower at 5 to 6 feet tall! Making for an extremely striking display. This writer has seen the Heliconia Rostrata displayed at top floral shops and is usually displayed at full-length. Not an easy flower to display but change the dynamic in any room. To be really effective, it is recommended many hanging Heleconia be displayed simultaneously. Although this can be costly, it is sure to grab everyones attention.

The Heliconia rostrata is the national flower of Bolivia along with the Kantuta flower. Displaying these two together can impress and capture the attention of those in-the-know. Cut flowers, especially exotic flowers, displayed by region is an excellent conversation piece.

Long vases are recommended when displaying the long-stemmed Heliconia. This plant has downward-facing flowers so ample room should be provided in order to display properly. EXTREMELY long vases (5 feet or more) are often used for large displays although shorter vases can be used when other cut flowers are displayed along with the Heliconia. This writer has seen some extremely fine flower displays with the Heliconia in rounder, bowl-sized, vases that are effective.


 * Heliconias are known to those who grow them as a host flower to many birds, especially the Hummingbird. Keep this in mind if you are displaying your Heliconias according to theme. Because of its unique characteristics, the Heliconia Rostrata is often used as a specimen for tropical gardens.
 * Heliconia is a genus of about 100 to 200 species of flowering plants, which have a rich and original colouring of flowers. Displaying the Heliconia Rostrata with other Heliconias can create gorgeous combinations.  Experiment, mix and match.  You'll find bringing the Heliconias together in unique combinations to be entertaining.
 * Heliconia is also close to the family Musaceae and Strelitzia (most of flowering plants native to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean islands west to Indonesia). These are worth exploring when creating unique flowering combinations.

Heliconias Rostratas make excellent cut flowers because of their long lasting characteristics. They're also an excellent container plant that can be grown indoors for the winter and outdoors during the summer.

Price Guide
Heliconia Rostrata are sold per Rhizome. A rhizome is a sinlge horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground. Rhizomes may also be referred to as "creeping rootstalks" or "rootstocks". A single rhizome typically sells for around ten dollars.