Strelitzia (strelitzia) or "bird of paradise": what kind of flower, photo of its species, especially the cultivation of seeds and home care

Strelitzia, or as it is popularly called "Bird of Paradise", is one of the most beautiful and unusual flowers in the world. The plant got its name due to the attractive shape of flowers resembling bright flying birds, with colorful beaks and crests. These flowers are widely used today to create attractive and interesting landscapes. Florists do not always know how to properly care for Strelitzia at home. But observing the basic requirements for care and watering, you can achieve regular flowering of a paradise flower.

What is this plant?

Strelitzia (from the Latin strelitzia), or as many call it Strelitzia, refers to the type family of the Strelitzia family, which consists of only 4 species. The natural habitat is South Africa and Madagascar.

Strelitzia has large, dark green, oval leaves with elongated petioles. They are located in two rows along the edges of the stem, forming a deciduous, evergreen fan. The length of the sheet plates is from 15 to 45 cm. An adult plant can reach 4 meters in height. Inflorescences of Strelitzia produce strictly up horizontally, they come out of the thickened peduncle, which can reach one and a half meters or more.

The most unusual part of a plant is a flower. Perianth consists of brightly colored mutated leaves of green, red and purple, which are similar in shape to small boats. The perianth can grow in length from 10 to 20 cm, depending on the type and age of the plant.

On top of the plant are two petals joined together, bright yellow or orange, very similar to an arrow. And at the base, where the third, usually blue hue, petal is located, there is a flower nectary.

Interesting facts about Strelitzia:

Flowers, Strelitzia can stand in a vase with water for about a month, if necessary care is provided. The bouquet should stand in a place with good lighting, at a comfortable room temperature, and the water in the vessel must be changed regularly.
Almost all species of this flower have poisonous juice in their leaves and trunks. Therefore, the plant should be located away from pets and children.
From the seeds, stems and peels of royal Strelitzia, they learned to make an extract that is widely used in cosmetology as an integral part of anti-aging serums and creams. These funds smooth and improve skin color, help eliminate dark circles under the eyes.

Types: description and photo

Royal

At home, the plant reaches a height of one and a half meters. Its oval, slightly tapering leaves about 40 cm long and up to 30 cm wide are very smooth and glossy, located on a powerful stiff petiole that grows up to 60 cm in length.

The flower has a very powerful developed rhizome, with the help of which this type of strelitzia can be propagated.

The inflorescence, partially hidden by a rigid bract of a greenish-brown flower, consists of flowers with bright orange-yellow and blue-violet petals. Each flower reaches 10-15 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in the spring.

Read more about the Royal Strelitzia here.

We offer you to watch a video about the Royal Strelitzia:

Nikolay

This flower was dedicated to Emperor of Russia Nicholas I. The birthplace of this species of bird of paradise is the coastal oceanic terrain of the south of the African continent.

The difference between this plant and other species in its power and grandeur.

Its growth can reach 10 meters in height, due to which this strelitzia is considered arboreal. The trunk of this strelitzia in natural conditions can reach four meters wide.

Purple-blue flowers are also quite large in size. The lower petals of the flower, similar to the boats, as if wrapped around a "crest" of the upper snow-white and bluish petals.

Strelitzia Nicholas is not only a beautiful plant, but also very useful. Locals use the dry branches of this plant to make strong ropes. This is the only type of strelitzia in which all its parts do not contain toxic substances. Therefore, unripe seeds, valuable for their excellent taste, are used as food.

In nature, Strelitzia, due to the constantly active growth of rhizome layers, grows very quickly in areas suitable for it according to the microclimate. This plant is resistant to drought, but does not like the sharp difference in day and night temperatures. Therefore, she feels most comfortable on the river and sea coasts.

White

This is a fairly large plant, with a partially lignified stem. It has long, dark green, elliptical leaves.

From the axils of the leaves once a year, original inflorescences grow, consisting of large white, bright white flowers that for the time being hide in lanceolate bracts of purple color.

Flowering begins in the month of May and lasts until mid-July.. Until the 15-centimeter petals begin to fade, in the future to give life to the box-fruits ripening at the end of winter.

Mountain

Another fairly large type of strelitzia. This herbaceous perennial reaches 10 meters in height. In the process of growth, its lower part of the trunk is exposed, making the plant look like a palm tree or an ordinary banana.

Flowers of this species have white and blue inner petals. Corollas, densely fused from below, are united at once in several pieces. They are covered with stipules of a reddish or dark purple hue and can be up to half a meter in length.

Care for the "bird of paradise" at home

Lighting. Strelitzia is very fond of light. But direct sunlight damages the plant. Therefore, they must be shaded from direct sunlight. In summer, a flower grown in room conditions is recommended to be taken outside for fresh fresh air (open balcony, veranda).
Temperature. Strelitzia is a plant from hot countries; therefore, it loves warmth. But even in winter, at a low temperature of 10-13 ° C, it will feel good. During the flowering period, which lasts from May to mid-July, the ambient temperature should not exceed 18-20 ° C.
Watering. Strelitzia loves plentiful watering. In summer, it is necessary to carefully control the soil moisture; it should never dry out. In winter, watering is reduced, the plant is resting and it needs a cool place. But the earthen lump should be slightly moistened. Water the plant only with clean, settled water at room temperature.
Humidity. The air around Strelitzia should be moderately humid. It is better to wipe the leaves of the flower with a damp cloth or gently spray from the spray bottle with warm water.
Top dressing. This plant needs regular fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers alternately. This must be done 3 times a month.
At the end of flowering, the plant is at rest for about 3 months, no fertilizing is needed at this time.
Transfer. Strelitzia transplantation is best done in the spring. Adult plants are replanted every 3 years, and young flowers need annual transplantation, because the roots grow very quickly and the plants will be crowded in a pot.

Find out more about Strelitzia care here.

Breeding methods

Strelitzia propagated by seeds and vegetatively (roots). Let us consider these methods in more detail.

Seed cultivation

The step-by-step scheme for growing Strelitzia from seeds is as follows:

Soak the seeds before planting in warm water for 24 hours.
Prepare a container (pot) and soil mixture for planting, consisting of peat, sand and compost in equal proportions. Disinfect the substrate with boiling water.
Squeeze the seeds into the ground, do not fill the ground with soil.
Place the seed container in a warm room with adequate lighting. You can cover with a glass top until the first sprouts appear (after about 6-8 weeks). Young seedlings must be periodically watered or sprayed so that the soil does not dry out.
In the process of growing plants dive twice. After 2 months, sufficiently strong seedlings can be transplanted into separate pots.

You can read more about growing Strelitzia from seeds in this article.

We suggest watching a video on how to plant Strelitzia seeds:

Vegetatively

The division of Strelitzia after flowering is carried out as follows:

The adult bush is carefully removed from the pot, a part of the horses with several shoots is separated from it.
Newly formed seedlings are placed in spacious pots, suitable in size for their root system, which is very important not to damage during transplantation.

And already next year, young bushes can wait for the first buds to appear.

Pests and diseases

If your flower is kept clean, at the right temperature, watered on time, sprayed and fertilized - it will not be afraid of disease.

It is recommended that you periodically inspect your beauty Strelitzia for the appearance of such unpleasant pests, such as thrips, scabies and spider mites.

If you do find them, you should immediately gently wash all parts of the plant under the shower. The remaining insects can be removed with a cotton swab with an alcohol solution. For guaranteed disposal of the pest, the flower can be treated with insecticides., which are on sale today a great many.

Conclusion

This unpretentious plant does not require special conditions for growing. But for a bird of paradise to please you with the beauty of its unusual flowers - it needs competent and timely care, like any other plant. Therefore, be patient and be attentive to this unique tropical flower. And then he will delight you with a long and fragrant flowering.