About Heliconia germination

[FossilNypa]

Hi,

I am just wondering what is the best method to germinate heliconias. Have any tried the plastic bag method?

[leomx]

I use a well draining growing media in an open shallow container and if fresh most of the seeds will pop up after a few weeks/month. Have had poor germination rate with collinsiana/orthotricha.

[FossilNypa]

Thanks,

I was thinking in using a hydroponic soil mix. What temperature is the most adequate?

[leomx]

hot and humid will do the trick, if you´re in Costa Rica that´s perfect, I´m at 24ºN (unless you´re somewhere up in the mountains). I just put them outside under a tree´s shade in their own open containers and they start sprouting right away (it´s 34ºC here).

Cheers.

[Really full garden]

I use a sterile mix and the bag method.I get great germination but about 50% die off when time comes to pot the seedlings.Fresh seed is key.I get my seeds from www.viveroanones.com.

                                                                                     Scott

[FossilNypa]

Hi Scott,

I see they have a great variety of Heliconia.

Do they ship the seed overseas?

[Really full garden]

Luis, I have a PO box in Miami so usually have everything sent there.She sells also on Ebay under the name heliconialady.I am sure they send to Costa Rica.Luis why do you want to grow from seed?Costa Rica is the center for comercial flower prodution.There is a place there called Costa Flores that has almost 200 varieties of heliconia.I am not sure if they sell rhizomes.

                                                                           Scott

[Brian]

Thanks for the link Scott. Its an interesting website.

Regards,

Brian

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Heliconias come so easily from rhizomes, is it worth it to try seeds?  Is there a chance of a new fancy hybrid or something?

Jerry

[BigFrond]

Heliconia are pretty cool when you get the flowers and the nice leaves.  However, they are such a pain because they are pretty aggressive plus the leaves are usually rip to shreds by the wind.

[Really full garden]

Jerry, if I had the opportunity I would buy rhizomes.Seeds can take a long time to germinate and you can get mixed results.I must buy seeds to get new varieties.I have imported rhizomes in the past and a $15.00 rhizome ended up costing $85.00 after shipping,taxes etc..

I am still looking for a source of Heliconia indica seeds.THese are spectacular foliage heliconias with several cultivars.The nicest ive seen are coming out of Thailand.

                                                             Scott

[FossilNypa]

Scott, Thanks for the info.