Steve L

Congrats on the bloom. This is definitely the peak bloom time of year for Latispatha Distans. If you look in my photo gallery, there is a picture of mine from a few weeks ago. I've grown this heliconia for 6 or 7 years. It has bloomed every year starting in year 2. I greenhouse this heliconia during the winter here in Lake Charles, LA as it is not at all cold hardy in Zone 9a. It's taller cousin, Latispatha Orange Gyro, is probably root hardy here but the chance of blooms on that one would not be good as it blooms on second year growth. Your Psitt. Andromeda is definitely not cold hardy either. In fact, all Psitts are extremely difficult to over winter and will not make it in the ground in this zone. I grow many, many more heliconia; some in ground, but most in pots. The most cold hardy of them all is Schiedeana, but in the right place, in a protected spot, with maybe a frost cloth to cover if it drops into the upper 20's, you might be able to grow and bloom Rostrata, Pedro Ortiz, Subulata, Spissa, or Red Angusta. All of the heliconia I grow that are in ground are protected with a portable greenhouse erected over the plant. Currently, I am growing Rostrata, Pedro Ortiz, Schiedeana, Orange Schiedean, Eden Pink, Golden Torch, Subulata, Sharonii, Oriole Orange, Las Cruces, Sexy Pink, Hirsuta, Red Angusta, Distans, Valentine, Maya Blood, Orange Gyro. I've bloomed most but not all. I've killed another 3 dozen or so over the years so if you need to know what not to do, I can probably help.

Steve