Most heliconia transplant very easily. They do grow better if you improve the soil with organic material. For rostrata, they look better if you grow them in a wind sheltered area. If they are planted in a windy area, the leaves get shredded and look terrible. Give lots of water until you see the plant taking. Remember, heliconias can be invasive, so watch where you plant them as they can get out of control very easily.

Everything Kekoa said is correct, I'll just add a few more comments: Most heliconias bloom better in full sun to partial shade (depending on where you live, of course). You can grow them in the shade but you may not get as many flowers. Of course, in the sun you'll need to feed them more to keep them green, and water well until they get established.

We sell bare-root heliconias, and for sale purposes we cut them into individual pieces, clean off all the soil, cut the roots off and stems back to about a foot or so. We advise people to start them in pots until they see some new growth, but if you already have a big ol'chunk of plant with an intact root ball you can probably get by without cutting it back so hard. If it were me, though, I'd at least remove any stems with flowers, they'll probably fade quckly due to transplanting stress anyway.

It should be in active growth right now, which is the best time to start them. Some varieties divide and transplant more easily than others, and rostrata is one of the easier ones. It is also one that runs somewhat. Contrary to popular opinion, not all helis are invasive, but this one can eventually spread to where you don't want it.

-Lisa

Mahalo nui loa Kekoa and Lisa!! You're advice was taken and now I just have to be patient and wait for new flowers. Thanks again. ALOHA!!

Corri -aka- da tree huggin wahine

lisa, is your nursery mail order?? and could you please email me the name if you have a website?? tropicalfreakfla@yahoo.com thanks...cliff