Heliconia latispatha

 you are purchasing 5 seeds

 

One of the root hardiest Heliconias, very attractive with Banana type leathery leaves and red lobster claw bracts. The seed requires soaking for two or three days and sown in a well drained damp compost with a temperature of 30°C to 32°C. The seed may take a couple of months to germinate and the seedlings will need a temperature of 30°C by day, 20°C by night and good sunlight is essential to bring them on. Sow in late spring when our improving weather conditions will help. By mid summer the plants could be used outside in pots for tropical foliage effect. Latispatha is also one of the shorter varieties flowering at 6ft, but to flower in its second or third year you would need to keep the plant warm enough during winter to prevent the top growth dying back to the rhizomes.