Strelitzia

In short: Strelitzia (bird of paradise) needs a bright spot with at least 4–6 hours of direct sun, temperatures of 18–25 °C and moderate watering without waterlogging. It usually first flowers at 4–6 years of age, and a cooler winter rest at around 15 °C with reduced watering encourages blooming.

Strelitzia

Strelitzia (lat. Strelitziaceae) - are exotic plants from the genus of monocotyledonous plants, belonging to the order Zingiberales (lat. Zingiberales). They are similar to banana plants. The natural habitat of Strelitzia is the tropics - South America, South Africa and Madagascar.

You can grow Strelitzia reginae (lat. Strelitzia reginae) - blooming with orange flowers and Strelitzia nicolai (lat. Strelitzia nicolai) - blooming with cream flowers. Strelitzia reginae has orange flowers similar to a rooster's crest. It blooms in early spring and summer.

Strelitzia bloom with magnificent extravagant flowers and are decorations of every interior.

Although they look demanding, they are not demanding to grow at all. Exotic Strelitzia can be grown indoors or on the balcony, they will thrive just as well as in a tropical greenhouse.

Strelitzia - are medium-sized to spreading perennial plants. They come from the tropics and are similar to palms. The overall appearance of the plants is interesting and looks extravagant. They can hardly be described simply. Strelitzia leaves are simple, arranged in two rows. They grow from the ground in a leaf rosette. They have a distinctive petiole pattern. The leaf blades are parallel in two rows. The blades gradually tear between the veins, so they may appear pinnately compound. The flowers have compound umbellate inflorescences. In this compound inflorescence, smaller flower umbels grow, which are called cymes. The flower cymes are often supported by bracts, which are conspicuously colored and have a boat-like shape.

The flowers of Strelitzia are irregular in character. There are six perianth segments, but they are not the same. The outer perianth segments are free and the lateral segments of the flower are fused together and markedly asymmetrical. In this genus of Strelitzia, the two lateral segments of the inner whorl are fused and create an elongated arrow-like shape that embraces the filaments and style. The fruit of Strelitzia is a capsule, which is often woody. The seeds are black, usually with a colorful and often hairy aril. The description of such an extravagant plant and its flower is therefore not simple, but it is a beautiful plant and it is worth growing it and also looking at the exotic flowers up close.

Growing Strelitzia

Although they look demanding, they are not demanding to grow at all. Exotic Strelitzias can be grown indoors and on balconies, they will thrive just as well as in a tropical greenhouse. Strelitzia should be grown in a sunny location, on the south side of the house. During summer on balconies in sheltered spots. Maximum exposure to sunlight suits it best. It will naturally thrive on the north side of the house too, but it will be more elongated, paler with minimal growth. In the wild, Strelitzia grows up to 12 m in height. In domestic settings they reach a height of around 1m, Strelitzia Nicolai grows up to 2-3m in height.

Seeds germinate at temperatures around 25°C. Mini greenhouses can be used for germination. Or alternatively warm the seeds in another way. Peat substrate is suitable or insert seeds into peat tablets. Temperature during germination should not fluctuate. If you maintain a constant germination temperature around 20-25°C, seedlings will appear within one to two months. Before sowing, it's advisable to soak the seeds for 1-2 days in lukewarm or warmer water. Seeds suitable for germination are maximum one year old.

For two years, the young plant needs care. Maintain soil moisture and nutrient supply. The most suitable substrate for this exotic plant is a substrate composed of garden compost, sand and peat, in a ratio of 3:2:1. The substrate should therefore be slightly alkaline, well-draining and rich in nutrients.

Older grown plants should be repotted into larger containers. Use a higher layer of drainage from pebbles or expanded clay at the bottom.

The root ball of Strelitzias grows more in depth than common houseplants. Don't overwater Strelitzias, but keep them under regular watering. Waterlogging could lead to root rot. Also mist the plant regularly. If you go on holiday, you don't need to worry, thanks to its leathery leaves the plant will survive even a week without watering. You'll know the plant lacks watering or misting when the leaf tips start to dry out. If you have a drier flat, regular misting is advisable, just as with banana plants.

Fertilizing is important for Strelitzias. Fertilizers for flowering houseplants are suitable from spring to autumn. Apply fertilizer every fortnight. In winter we use fertilizer for ornamental foliage houseplants, which we use once a month.

Flowers appear on plants approximately after five years from planting. Cut off faded flowers at the stem. Repot the plant into a taller pot only when it is being pushed by roots above the upper edge of the pot.

From spring to autumn, Strelitzias thrive at temperatures around 20-25°C. Strelitzias should overwinter at temperatures around 15°C. If we overwinter at higher temperatures, flowering the following spring will be slower and weaker. We don't overdo watering, and definitely don't overwater, to prevent root rot. We can easily let the top layer of soil in the pot dry out. If we have a plant that has been accustomed to indoor conditions in one place since seedling stage, it will also tolerate overwintering at higher room temperatures with sufficient sunlight.

Strelitzia is an exotic plant that will brighten your interior with magnificent, extravagant flowers. Your patience during seed germination will pay off, and you'll grow a resilient plant that reliably produces flowers.

Author: Hana Michalíková