Re: Heliconias
Steelviper,
If you are growing it in a container, it should do just fine. Just remember to cut down on your watering to maybe once a week. Since the plant will slow down its growth, it doesn't need as much water and will not require any fertilizer. Just give it as much outdoor time as your weather permits. I move my container heliconia in and out of my greenhouse all during the winter when the night time temps get above 50 for a few days. One other tip, watch out for spider mites. They love Rostrata and an indoor environment is the perfect place for mites. Mites will kill a stalk in a short period of time. They won't kill the plant but you could find yourself in the position of cutting off all of the old stalks that would have produced your second year growth blooms. I don't know if you have mite problems in CA like we do in Louisiana but they can get out of hand in a hurry. I'm not much into trying non toxic remedies for insects so when the mites arrive (and they will), I don't mess around; I go straight for the kill: Orthonex. If they are not that bad in CA, try a Neem or Dormant oil mixed with water in a spray bottle. You can repeat this procedure more often than with Orthonex. Feel free to email me with any questions. I enjoy talking about heliconia.
Steve
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