How to grow Heliconia indica

[doranakandawatta]

Ten years ago, we could find Heliconia indica in Colombo plant exhibition. So we planted variegated and red leaves Heliconia in the garden.

The first years, they grown very well and we have to do propagation by dividing the plants.
But after 4 or 5 years, both variegated and Red disappeared!

Now it's impossible to see any Heliconia indica in nurseries.

Does someone know how to grow these Heliconia indica?

Thanks

[NApalm]

I dont know about this particular species, but heliconias are generally heavy feeders. Maybe that clump used most of the food available and keen for some good stuff? Just my two bob

[doranakandawatta]

Maybe Yes but does someone know about fungal disease for these Heliconia indica?

On some pics of Bali gardens I can see huge Heliconia indica, and I saw them very strong first in my first garden ;

Now when I planted young plants I found, they died within 1 month. I must be very strong if I can kill one Heliconia in one month in the tropical climate of Sri Lanka!

It's sad since H. indica cultivars are lovely plants.

Do Hawaiian garden have such plants? Who else in Asia? in Australia?
Palmtalk community, please help !!!

Thanks

Philippe

[Tropicgardener]

Heliconia indica is one of the Pacific Island Heliconias as opposed to most Heliconias that come from South and Central America and the Carribean........It seems to be more cold sensitive than most other Heliconias and will suffer even in cooler parts of the tropics. As NApalm mentioned they are heavy feeders and some species seem to sulk more than others if they don't get more than their fare share..........many of them also resent competing with other plants and when I grew Heliconia indica I found it did better in its own little patch.

[Really full garden]

I have tried this heliconia many times and have always failed. I have never discovered what I am doing wrong. The fact that it is difficult to find plants to buy is a good indication that it is not easy to propagate.

[doranakandawatta]

You're right, try and fail happened to me many times.
But at the time they agreed to grow, I was able to divide the clumps and give plants to all the village!

Now I plant one and in very few days it dies!

I regret since they can be wonderful foliage heliconias!

What are we doing wrong?

[ariscott]

They are slow growers.... just keep at it. At the moment, I have 2 growing under my Erythrina variegata and seemed very happy. I think they will get planted there.... They get morning sun and afternoon shade. It is hard to gauge what they like. My opinion is to put them in large pots and move them from places to places, once you find a place that they like, plant them and mulch them. I lost a few already, too much sun, too wet, etc, etc.

Good luck. Once you find a good place, they definitely worth growing.

Regards, Ari

[doranakandawatta]

Thanks Ari , I'll try again,

Actuallly I noticed that in some villages on the west-south coast, they grow normally in some village-gardens, it seems also that the variegated one is easier than the red!?

Regards

Philippe

[ariscott]

Yes, the variegated ones grow like weeds... Isn't it always the way, the prettier they are, the harder they are to grow?

Regards, Ari