Heliconias in my garden

I have two new varieties of heliconias in my garden that is flowering right now. I enjoy the flowers very much. After waiting for several months the flowers emerged.Wow, very exciting.
H.angusta is from stricta group where it has white sepals engulfing by red perianth or cheek. It is erect with red bright colours. The other one is H.psittacorum variegated Lady Di. The foliage is variegated and very attractive. it is very expensive when I bought that time and quite rare. It can be planted in the open sun.

Heliconias need fertilizers not only organic but also foliar fertilizers. Make sure your soil has the correct pH other the leaves will show some symptoms.

H.angusta

H.psittacorum variegated 'Lady Di'

Email fom India (Heliconia Planting in India)

I wish to start a floriculture business in a small scale with heliconias, ginger flowers,

anthuriums and if possible orchids. I have some of these plants with me now but not

enough for a business set up. I need your advise on where I can buy small baby plants

of all these types with in a reasonable price range? Some tips on growing, on selling

cut flowers, and so on. I would like to get a copy of your newly published book on

Heliconias. I am from Thrissur. Where I can get it? Is there a fee I have to pay you?

First of all I want to collect some good planting materials to start with. Please help me 

to find a good supplier or suppliers. Expect an early reply.

With many thanks,

Sincerely Yours,

CHANDRAN. K.

Answer:

Floriculture is a very lucrative business.  However, one needs passion and right mind set. You can ask experts around or do 'homework' before embarking any business. Never mind spend a little time and effort to search the correct knowledge.  When you have already confidence especially on strategy and marketing then, you can  move on. 

As my book, it is written in Malay language and in press now. 

My Exhibit at MAHA International 2012

These are some of my exhibits at MAHA 2012 recently.

Heliconia metallica and variegated psittacorrum 'Lady Di' (new)

My exhibit heliconia and etlingera (kantan)

My poster

I will propagate as many as possible variegated psittacorum 'Lady Di', those interested please keep in touch or email at zainudinhaji@gmail.com.

My Book on Heliconia

I have just sent in my book for publication. This book will be launched in December 2012. I hope everything works well.It is about Heliconia and Gingers for landscaping.

Feel free to visit my other blog at http://reddragonfruits.blogspot.com/

Please contact me zainudinhaji@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Heliconia cut flower studies

We are studying on four types of heliconias as cut flowers.Helconia stricta (Huber),H.chartacea (Tempress). H.rauliana and H.rostata. The study is to observe which variety has the longest shell ife (vast life).i.e  sustainability after cutting. We observed that 5 factors are important;


1. Age of the inflorescene
2. Handling of inflorescene
3. Packaging materials
4. Method of cutting
5. Equipment used


It is a simple  and short study.

Heliconia cutflower

Monitoring heliconia cut flowers studies

Standing at one of the world's tallest building

Standing in front of KL Tower  on hot and sunny day of our beloved Malaysian weather

I went sight seeing at Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Next to an exhbition centre Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Heliconia charteacea (Tempress)

H.chartacea (Tempress)

This is one of my favourite heliconia plants. It flowers very well and not stop flowering.It is 6ft. tall plant and grows from corms. It is very tough and majestic. One feels proud if plant this plant because it has one metre long inflorescence with 20 bracts red and yellow.It is easy to grow and needs no shade.


The 'sister' to this variety is H.chartecea (Sexy Pink) and Sexy scarlet. I have all those varieties. If you want to know more please  feel free and don't hesitate email me at zainudinhaji@gmail.com.