Hey Orchidboy, did you ever find out if it does ok in Central Fl? I just got a Wagneriana (not the pumpkin) and am rooting it up in a pot on the patio so hopefully it will have a jump start when I stick it in the ground in the spring.

wags are pretty in tolerant of cool temps
they dont like anything much below 50.do you have any other/know of other heliconias growing in your area?
you might want to contact leu gardens in orlando,as they have many,but dont remember seeing a wag on their list
gary