Mayan Gold Heliconia Seeds (H. champneana) Rare Lobster Claw Parrot Beak FlowersHeliconias are an integral part of any tropical garden design. The form great back drops and screens with the large upright leaves. Most tolerate full sun which makes the large heliconias great for creating some shade for smaller under-story plants. The leaves of this plant are paddle-shaped, and they are related to the banana family. Heliconias are sometimes called “lobster claws” or “parrot flowers” because of their beak-like “bracts” which can be orange, purple, red, yellow, pink, green or a combination of these. This is the Mayan Gold species of Heliconia. Heliconia champneana is a medium sized Heliconia, about 6-7 feet tall, from South Mexico and Central America. It can be grown as houseplant or greenhouse specimen. It produces 5 to 10 upright yellow flowering bracts. The leaves of this plant are paddle-shaped, they are related to the banana family and grow about 12 to 20″ high. The Heliconia’s bracts are so large and colorful that they almost hide the flowers altogether, which are tiny and are found inside these bracts. Will bloom in a pot. 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. The plant would regenerate itself the next Spring, because the tuber would have survived. Blooms from May through August. If in reasonable conditions, it blooms all year. Hardiness zones 9-11, (4øC/40øF,-5øC/25øF) in Winter. Heliconia champneana seems to be rather tolerant to cool weather and grow well in Subtropical conditions. In general, Heliconias are evergreen in the Tropics and warm Subtropics, like zone 10. Further north, upper zone 9 and lower zone 8, they may be frozen back to the ground each Winter but survive to resprout the next Spring. Recommended temperature 25øC. Provide warmth and high humidity. Can take full sun and semi shade. Needs rich soil containing peat moss, organic matter and coarse sand, and regular fertilizer. Use palm tree fertilizer and plant in well drained soil. It is really thirsty, water freely during growing months and moderately in Winter. Keep soil evenly moist, but do not overwater making the soil too soggy. ZONES: 9-11Heliconia Germination:1) Scarify the seeds by rubbing with rough grit sandpaper, and make a few very shallow nicks with a small blade.2) Soak seeds for 4 days, being sure to change water daily.3) Use a well mixed and well draining soil, adding 15% sand or perlite.4) Plant seeds no more than 3/4″ inch deep.5) Use a heated propagator to keep the soil between 80-85 degrees, while keeping moist but not overly wet.6) Use a humidity dome, or a small piece of plastic on top of treys or containers to help retain humidity.7) Like most tropical seeds, Heliconia seeds have erratic germination. Some may sprout in 4 weeks while others can take up to 6 months so don’t toss out any that do not sprout quickly.Germinación de heliconias:1) Escarifique las semillas frotándolas con papel de lija de grano grueso y haga algunos cortes muy superficiales con una cuchilla pequeña.2) Remoje las semillas durante 4 días, asegurándose de cambiar el agua a diario.3) Use una tierra bien mezclada y con buen drenaje, agregando un 15 % de arena o perlita.4) Plante las semillas a no más de 3/4″ de pulgada de profundidad.5) Use un propagador calentado para mantener la tierra entre 80 y 85 grados, mientras la mantiene húmeda pero no demasiado mojada.6) Use una cúpula de humedad o un pequeño trozo de plástico sobre las bandejas o recipientes para ayudar a retener la humedad.7) Como la mayoría de las semillas tropicales, las semillas de heliconia tienen una germinación errática. Algunas pueden brotar en 4 semanas, mientras que otras pueden tardar hasta 6 meses, así que no deseche las que no broten rápidamente.