Helenia belongs to herbaceous perennial plants, reaching a height of three meters and resembling the shape of bananas. Helicons are distinguished by short ground stems, large rhizomes and leaves, in addition, leaf sheaths usually form false stems. The name of the family of these plants speaks for itself: the leaves of heliconia are similar in appearance to the leaves of bananas, have the same venation and are large in size. So, they can have in length three meters, and in width one meter. Due to the fact that the leaves of heliconia develop in a close false stem, they have an asymmetrical shape. But unlike bananas, the leaves of heliconia are arranged in two rows.
In addition, the plant is quite fast growing and flowering, so, it blooms as early as the second year. This occurs as follows: the stem begins to grow rapidly from the cavity formed by the false stalk, and then the inflorescence itself is shown on the surface. The inflorescence of heliconia can be in the vertical state, and can be horizontal, or even hang down. The inflorescence itself is a base on which are located in two rows the covering leaves in the form of a rook, sharpened from above, in which the inflorescences are in the form of curls. Inflorescences of heliconia differ bright colors, they can be orange, yellow, red, pink. They can also be two-color, when, for example, the edges of the inflorescence contrast with the primary color. Low helicons have inflorescences up to 30 cm long and 4-5 cover sheets. Leaves of tall plants reach a length of one and a half meters. Some trees belonging to the genus of heliconia are popular in gardening.
In the people of heliconia is called "claw of a lobster" and "parrot flower". The first entrenched behind it due to the shape of the inflorescence, and the second - because of the variegated color. Interesting is the fact that the seeds of some plant species are able to change their color - they turn from orange to blue. In some artistic descriptions of the tropics of Central and South America, one can find comparisons of heliconia with blades covered with blood that hang overhead with a purple brilliant garland.
This kind of plant is very demanding, therefore, it is necessary to contain helicons in conditions similar to natural ones. It is best to keep the plant in a home greenhouse. The temperature of the air in a room with heliconia should not be lower than 18 ° C, and humidity above 75%.
Care of plants
Heliconia needs a diffuse but bright light at any time of the year, although they can be in direct sunlight, but for a short time. It is best to place them at windows oriented to the east and west. If the plant is located at the windows facing the south side, then it must be fenced off from the scorching sun.
The optimum air temperature for heliconia is 22-26C, in winter it feels quite good also at a lower temperature, but not lower than 18C. In addition, the plant does not like drafts and stagnant air, so the room must be ventilated, but neatly.
In spring and summer, the plant needs abundant watering, in winter it should be watered less. In any case, the soil should not dry up. Water for irrigation should be settled. Winter and autumn should be carefully monitored for the amount of water, as overflow at this time of year can cause rotting of the root system.
Heliconia love moist air, so throughout its life at any time of the year it must be sprayed from the spray with standing water. Heliconium should be in the dampest room, if the room is dry air, then spray the plant twice a day. In addition, you can place the pot with the plant on a pallet filled with wet claydite, moss or pebbles. Take care that the pot does not come in contact with water. But still the best place for heliconia is a greenhouse or a greenhouse.
In the summer and spring, care for these indoor plants provides for their feeding once a month with mineral fertilizers, in the autumn and winter helicons do not need it. In addition to mineral fertilizers, organic fertilizers can also be used.
Also, the care of helicon plants assumes their annual transplantation, this process does not harm them in any way. The best nutrient soil is suitable for heliconia, consisting of leaf land, turf ground, humus and sand (sheet earth - 2 parts, the remaining components on one part). It is necessary to transplant helicons into a pot that is larger in diameter than the previous one by 5 cm. This is necessary for the development of the root system. Tall plants must be planted in large tubs, to the bottom of which it is necessary to put drainage.
These plants multiply in two ways - by seeds and by means of layers.
The first method consists in the following: plant seeds must be germinated by soaking in hot water (60-70C). It is best to do this in a thermos. Seeds should be left for 2-3 days, periodically changing the water (water should be the same temperature). Sprouted seeds should be placed in a mixture of leaf land, humus, turf and sand (1: 1: 2: 0, 5). In addition, the prepared soil should be added with a powder of phytosporin. Pot with seeds placed under polyethylene and germinate at a temperature of 25C and above. Germs can appear only after 4 months, besides germinating the seeds of heliconia unevenly.
The second way of heliconia multiplication is faster. Rooted layers should be placed in a pot 11 cm high and watered abundantly. The air temperature should be approximately 20 ° C. When the roots of heliconia gird the earth, transplant the plant into pots a little more (15-16 cm). Transplanting heliconia, increase the size of the pot.
Possible difficulties
If the plant is not watered enough, its leaves will twist and fall off.
The lack of sunlight will also affect the heliconia - the color of the leaves will lose brightness, and the shoots will be weak and sluggish.
Dangerous for plants of the genus heliconia mealybug, scab, spider mite and whitefly.