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gcmastiffs

Variegated Heliconias

gcmastiffs
16 years ago

I was puttering around on EBay this morning, and found that the variegated Heliconia "El Tigre" that Katkin so kindly separated for me at Treefrog's party, is selling for $110! For a single stalk!

Hope all the offspring of my original $30 plant are doing well for those who got them! Please let me know. Mine are doing great and recently flowered.

Man, I wonder how much the Bihai Lamaii Variegata is worth these days? Can't find it available online anywhere, and mine is busting out of its pot.

Oh Katkin, I need your skilled hands again(G). Got a sharp machete?

Lisa

Comments (14)

  • katkin_gw
    16 years ago

    Hey Lisa, anytime you are ready? ;o) My variegated heliconia from you is doing just great and flowered too. If ever you have a problem with yours I'll gladly give you some of what I have back. ;o)

  • fawnridge (Ricky)
    16 years ago

    Mine is in a terra cotta pot that was on the north side of the garden in the first cold wave. It's now deep in the garden, still in the pot, but it has lots of new growth. I'll move it back out in the spring.

  • lac1361
    16 years ago

    Enid at Natural Selections sells Heliconia Psittacorum "El Tigre" for $29.99 and used to sell the Lemaii for $50 or $60. I saw that $110 version on eBay as well. Remarkable.

    Steve

  • gcmastiffs
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Oh good! I'm glad they are doing well.

    Katkin, I'll email you about a "chopping" date(G). I went outside with clippers and handsaw, but chickened out. Too many corms/chances to mess up(G).

    Steve, yes, I bought both of my original plants from Enid. But the Lemaii was as expensive as the Ae Ae Banana (if I'm remembering correctly).

    I think these Heliconias are nearly as beautiful as Ae Ae, and so much easier to grow!

    Lisa

  • ariel73
    16 years ago

    Wow!!! What a stunning plant.!!!
    Here I go adding one more plant to my never ending want list!!!

    Ariel

  • treefrog_fl
    16 years ago

    Please let me know the date of the chopping party.
    I'll bring machetes, root saw and clippers.
    Now that I've (hopefully) got the pittascorums under control, I may even have room for one itsy bitsy piece of a corm.
    Pretty please Lisa?
    Glad to hear they're doing well for everybody.

  • lac1361
    16 years ago

    Lisa,

    You could be right on the price of the Lemaii; my memory just isn't what it used to be. Since I'm in zone 9, I have to container grow all of my heliconia and put them in the greenhouse this time of year. Psittacorums have been particularly difficult to grow for me; I've had better luck over wintering Sexy Pink than the Psitts. That's why I've avoided "El Tigre" but everytime I see it for sale, the variegated attraction sets in. On the other hand, I've been growing Ae Ae in the ground for 5 years and only lost one (Hurricane Rita) which was scheduled to bloom the following summer (based on age and height). I do wrap the pseudostem when night time temps are predicted to get below 30 but it is more cold hardy than people think. Survived 24 two winters in a row.

    Steve

  • gcmastiffs
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Steve, "El Tigre" is incredibly easy to grow. Want one? I totally ignore them, just plunk the pots down on the hot patio or tucked into the palmettos, and I forget they are there. This is how they look with such terrible treatment!

    I lost my Ae Ae to some kind of boring pest that tunneled through the corm. I still miss it!

    Ariel, I will hold one for you, and Treefrog, you didn't get one? How did that happen? You can pick what you want from the chopping party!

    They are fast growers and do best in light shade.

    Lisa

  • gcmastiffs
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Here is a flower. But the foliage is the main attraction.

    Lisa

  • lac1361
    16 years ago

    Lisa, thanks for the offer. It's a beautiful plant; the bloom looks a little like Heliconia Golden Torch. Maybe we can do a trade in the spring when it warms up here on the Louisiana Gulf Coast.

    Steve

  • msmarion
    16 years ago

    I want to come to the party too! I'll bring cookies.

  • countrynest
    16 years ago

    Lisa,
    That is stunning. I do not think I've seen it before.
    I'm glad you posted a picture.
    Felix

  • baseballfan2
    15 years ago

    gcmastiffs, do you still have the variegated heliconia or any other heliconia for trade? I live in Homestead. The plants wouldn't have to travel that far. I have Pedro Ortiz, rostrata, prince of darkness, and I think wagneriana. I am trying to collect as many different kinds as I can. Only the rostrata is ready for trade, because the others were just planted from rhizome. They're just starting to sprout. I also have angel mist, tropical black, and phyllostachys nigra bamboo. You would have to pick these up, though because they are large. I also have psilotum nudum. You can see what that looks like on eBay. I'm the only one selling it. If you are interested in anything I have, let me know.

  • goldensandturtle
    3 years ago

    Hi Lisa, please contact me back when you have a chance, thanks! Mike