Heliconia wagneriana

French names: Balisier tricolore, balisier rasta
Creole names: Balizyé rasta
English names: Easter heliconia, rainbow plant

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FAMILY

HELICONIACEAE

 

ETYMOLOGY

The name Heliconia comes from the Greek "Helikṓn" , it is the mountain where the muses gathered during antiquity.

Wagneriana comes from  Mr. Wagener, German collector.  

 

ORIGIN

From Belize to northern Colombia.

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HABITAT

Humid tropical forest (altitude 50 to 600m).

 

DESCRIPTION

This Heliconia is a magnificent rhizhomous tropical grass  and perennial whose large green leaves are reminiscent of those of smaller banana trees (120-200cm). It can reach 2-6m. The midrib is slightly purple.
It is distinguished by its large inflorescences , 50cm long, erect, formed of a dozen (6 to 13) rigid bracts, minium red to salmon red, bordered with yellow and hemmed with a green border inside which hide bisexual greenish flowers.

The colored bracts have a strange shape and are reminiscent of those of the strelitzia (bird of paradise). This makes it a plant of incomparable decorative quality.

Flowering usually takes place from February to November. But under the right conditions, the plant can flower throughout the year. 

The bracts are very long lasting, both on the plant and in cut flowers.

Fruits appear after pollination often provided by hummingbirds.
They are often intensely blue and are eaten by birds which disperse them.

 

NEEDS 

The original habitat of the balisiers is humid but they know how to adapt to moderate climates and various growing conditions. They thrive best in light, well-drained soils rich in organic matter with partial shade to full sun exposure.
Cultivation in a greenhouse or veranda possible by bathing regularly with a temperature above 18°C. It does not like drafts or irregular watering .
In periods of active vegetation, water abundantly without ever letting the soil mixture dry out. In winter, greatly reduce watering, just to prevent the root ball from drying out completely.
Exposure: It will develop better in partial shade but will have a better flowering in full sun.
Hardiness: 18°C.
Flowering: Almost all year round.

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MULTIPLICATION 

Propagation is mainly done by division of clumps. The plant can be made up either of a mother plant that has already produced its flower stalk accompanied by one or two suckers, or of an adult stem with one or two suckers.
Take these carefully and plant them in the recommended mixture. Water well and place the pots in dim light, heat and humidity.
Sowing between 19 and 24°C from February to April in temperate zones.

 

CULTURE AND  MAINTENANCE

- In a tank, it can quickly reach 2m in height. It is the first year that it grows the fastest, while emitting numerous suckers which give the plant an abundant appearance. It must therefore be planted in a large pot (20-35L).
- Cultivation in a greenhouse or veranda by bathing regularly with a temperature above 18°C. It does not like drafts or irregular watering. In the tropics, plant it in partial shade in moist, cool, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil enriched with compost. Protect from strong winds which can damage foliage.
- During active vegetation, water abundantly without ever letting the soil mixture dry out, enrich with organic liquid fertilizer every fortnight (or compost every month). Remove faded flowers and leaves.
- In winter, drastically reduce watering, just to prevent the root ball from drying out completely.
The Heliconia is repotted every two years in February/March.
- In tropical areas it can remain in place. We recommend  to proceed with a coppicing the 3rd year (cut back to 50cm from the ground) and to thin out after the fifth year of flowering or to uproot to replant.
Example of substrate to use: Use a mixture of equal parts crushed pine bark, coarse sand and blond peat.
Provide a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot with charcoal.
Example of substrate to use: 30% horticultural soil, 20% compost, 10% sand (0 to 4 mm), 10% perlite, 30% garden soil, charcoal.

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USES
 

MEDICINAL USE

Any.

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ORNAMENTAL USE

In container, veranda, hot greenhouse or in isolated subject or hedges in the tropics.

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FOOD USE

Any.

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OTHER USES

Long lasting cut flowers.

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ANECDOTES

The water collected by the bracts serves as a habitat for many aquatic organisms. Many other animals take the opportunity to drink this sweet nectar (butterflies, hummingbirds, ..)

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SOURCES

- Plants, habitats and landscapes of the French West Indies  - Claude Sastre and Anne Breuil - Parthénope collection - P386
- The names of plants - Fourth edition - David Gledhill - Ed. Cambridge
- Guide to flowering, 100 plants from the West Indies - J-Jacques Jérémie - AVEG - P92
- Illustrated flora of the phanerogams of Guadeloupe & Martinique - Jacques Fournet - Ed Gondwana, CIRAD -  T2 P2023
- Discovering the flowers of the West Indies - PLB Editions - P92
- The great Larousse of 15,000 garden plants & flowers - Ed. Larousse - P501
- Floral crops brochure - Guadeloupe Chamber of Agriculture - P21