Strelitzia flower is called a bird of paradise for a reason – its inflorescence surprisingly resembles a bird’s head with a long beak and a high bright orange tuft with violet-blue blotches. On the islands of the Indian Ocean during the flowering of strelitzia, hummingbirds feeding on sweet flower nectar and other tropical birds can often be seen on flower heads.
Strelitzia (Strelitzia) or Bird of Paradise belongs to the Strelitzia family. Homeland – South Africa, Madagascar island.
The number of species included in this genus is small – according to various sources, from 3 to 7, however, in flowering form, they cannot be confused with any other plants due to the special structure of the flower. In indoor culture, only two types are widespread – Strelitzia Royal and Augusta.
It is an evergreen plant with long petiolate elliptical leaves, similar to banana leaves, 40–45 cm long. Their surface is smooth and leathery. The upper side of the leaf is a rich dark green color. The underside is lighter, covered with transverse veins. The slightly concave leaf attaches to the stem with long, sturdy petioles. On a strong, large peduncle there are large (up to 15 cm in diameter) flowers.
Look at the photo – the strelitzia flower resembles the head of a fantastic bird – purple petals contrast with bright orange sepals, attached to a leafless peduncle:
The flowers last for a long time, for several weeks.
With good care, an adult plant blooms annually and can grow up to 1,3 m in height.
The plant received the second name (bird of paradise) for the similarity of a flower with a bird.
Blooms from February to July.
These photos show how strelitzia blooms in its natural habitat and at home:
Types of strelitzia: Royal and Augusta (with photo)
STRELITSIA ROYAL (Strelitzia reginae Banks)… Homeland – South Africa.
For indoor plant lovers, it can be recommended as an uncomplicated culture. A large, perennial, herbaceous plant with a height of 1-1,5 m with powerful monumental rhizome leaves, broadly elliptical, dark green, on the underside of a lighter tone, whole, leathery, on long strong petioles, with feathery venation, slightly concave in shape. The flowers are large, very exotic in shape, reminiscent of a bird of paradise, on a strong peduncle. One by one, they emerge from a pointed scaphoid sheath, three outer orange sepals, like wings, enclosing two inner arrow-shaped petals (blue), inside which are hidden the pistil and stamens.
Pay attention to the photo – the flowers of the royal strelitzia move out of the cover gradually one after the other, as the first fades out, the second, third, fourth, fifth are advanced:
It blooms annually in winter and spring, but only in light, warm enough rooms. Older specimens are best kept in tubs. The plant as a whole is unpretentious, tolerates even strong shading, as a decorative deciduous can be used in rooms on the northern windows, for halls, corridors and even staircases with steam heating.
It propagates in spring and summer by dividing the bush into several parts, which are planted in pots in a mixture of turf, humus and leafy soil with sand (1: 1: 1: 1/2). Can be grown from seed, but this method is slow, difficult, time-consuming and patient. In summer, it should be fed several times with a solution of complete mineral fertilizer and sprayed systematically, in winter – water it moderately and keep at a temperature of 12-13 ° C.
This plant is interesting for indoor floriculture, especially for exotic lovers.
STRELITION OF AUGUST (Strelitzia augusta Thunb)… Homeland – humid subtropics of South Africa.
A perennial greenhouse plant that, like a banana, forms a false trunk. The rhizome is thick. The leaves are large, with a broadly elliptical plate, petioles are long, with a vaginal base. The description of this strelitzia differs from the previous species in that its flowers are white, and the cover is lilac-purple. Suitable for indoor culture. Requires ample crockery, sunny location, and abundant watering with good drainage. Propagated by sowing and dividing the rhizome. Strelitzia is more hardy than a banana, so it can be used for indoor gardening.
Flowering time: Spring.
How to grow Strelitzia + at home is described below.
How to grow strelitzia at home (with video)
The difficulty of growing strelitzia at home: not high.
Optimal location: south, south-east and south-west exposure, winter garden.
Lighting requirements: prefers a bright place, in the heat requires shading.
Bright lighting, including sufficient direct sunlight in the morning or evening. Shading may be needed only on a hot summer afternoon.
Temperature requirements: The plant is thermophilic, in winter the temperature should not fall below 12-18 ° C.
Watering, spraying: watering with soft water throughout the year. From spring to autumn watering is plentiful, in winter – moderate, about 1 time in 10-14 days, the soil in any case should not completely dry out. The air humidity is high and requires spraying, especially in the heat. From time to time, the leaves of the houseplant strelitzia are wiped with a sponge from dust.
The substrate is sod and leafy soil, humus, sand (1: 1: 1: 1), pH 6-6,5.
Feeding: during the growth period, twice a month with full mineral fertilizer. From March to August, fertilizing is carried out every 2 weeks with special liquid fertilizers for flowering indoor plants, alternating with organic matter.
Transfer: young plants are transplanted annually in spring, adults – after 2 years. The indoor flower Strelitzia feels good and blooms only when it has a spacious pot, so it is advisable to grow it in large flowerpots and tubs. Good drainage is a must.
Possible problems: the absence of flowering in young plants is a natural phenomenon, strelitzia blooms in the 4th-6th year; in other cases, this is due to a violation of the rest period. The plant is not suitable for small spaces.
The main pests are scale insects, spider mites and thrips. The plant does not tolerate dry, cold air. If not properly cared for, brown rot spots may appear.
Breeding. Seeds can be propagated by dividing the rhizome.
