Parakeetflower

Parakeetflower Care

Heliconia Psittacorum

Other names: Parakeetflower, Parrot Heliconia, Parrot's Beak, Parrot's Flower, Parrot's Plantain, Parakeet Flower, False Bird-of-paradise, Golden Torch, Japanese Canna

What is the plant

Heliconia psittacorum is one of the most popular type of heliconia. Its popularity is brought about by its ease in growing. Among the many cultivars of Heliconia psittacorum, the Heliconia psittacorum Parakeet Flower is the most popular because of its multi-colored flowers. It is also known as Parrot’s beak because its flowers are similar in appearance to a parrot’s plumage. Some of its common names also include parrot’s flower, parrot’s plant, parrot’s tongue, popokaytongo. This clump-forming tropical plant resembles most to the birds-of-paradise. With its reedlike stems are long and pointed banana-like green leaves that show a coppery sheen, red edge, and with midribs that are either ivory or pink in color. Heliconia psittacorum Parakeet Flower is an exotic plant that abundantly blooms all year round. The greenish yellow flowers of H. psittacorum Parakeet Flower have two parts – the outer orange-red bracts and the inner portion which is the true flower. This true flower is tubular in shape and is fused in appearance with colors ranging from yellow, red, orange or green. The dark spot at the tip of each flower give the flower the look of a parrot’s tongue. In addition, this plant produces a drupe red-orange fruit.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
When kept outdoors during the spring and summer, the soil must not dry out from one watering to the next. When kept indoors during the autumn and winter months, reduce watering and take normal precautions against root rot.
Pruning
The Heliconia plant does not require a lot of pruning. They shape themselves, and since the leaves are long fronds, several feet in length, trimming them is not necessary or desirable. When you do remove a leaf, you should remove it entirely.
Fertilizer
If your goal is to grow a monster plant, bone meal wins the Heliconia plant favorite food contest every time. For consistent feeding of average sized plants, best fertilizer for heliconia is a good quality, slow time-release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 2-1-2 is a good choice. Follow package instructions closely.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Provide Ample Light for Vigorous Flowering Although false bird-of-paradise grow in forests in the wild, remember that they choose to be in clearings where they will receive a minimum of six hours of bright light daily. This is necessary for abundant and constant flowering.
Soil
These plants thrive in a well-draining soil and generously amended with decaying organic matter, which provides a natural source of nourishment. A combination of leaf compost, garden loam and a bit of sand makes a planting mix rich in nutrients and resists becoming compacted.
Temperature
These plants prefer a steady temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They should never be subject to temperatures lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.