Christmas Heliconia

Christmas Heliconia Care

Heliconia Augusta

Other names: Red Christmas Heliconia

What is the plant

Christmas, named such because of its winter blooms (Northern Hemisphere, when it’s usually Christmas time), is a fantastic shade-loving Heliconia. It is comparatively small, reaching only 1-2m, with striking red and white flowers in the Australian winter.Red Christmas is relatively cold hardy but really needs to be grown in part shade. Ideal conditions are 2-3 hours of morning sun, with bright shade for the rest of the day. Alternatively, dappled sun all day would suit. Red Christmas is unlikely to die if grow in full sun but will not look very good. There are many alternatives that handle the sun if you want something this height, just ask our staff.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

min 10°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The wild plantain likes to be watered, and the soil should be kept consistently and uniformly moist. In very hot climates, you may need to water a couple of times daily.Water at ground level (use soaker hoses for the garden) rather than spraying the plants as splashing water can carry fungal spores to the leaves causing damage.
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
Some growers do not fertilize, choosing instead to supply nourishment through different types of organic fertilizers to build a soil rich in organic matter, a large plant with lots of blooms will happily consume a great deal of 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.