Selling Size : Single Plant | Pot Included | Secure Packing
The Heliconia Orthotricha Cv. Coconut Ice is a beautiful, clumping, tropical plant known for its distinctive, upright bracts that are bright pink with a white base and a dark green lip. The bracts have a velvety, hairy texture.
Here is a care guide for Heliconia Orthotricha Cv. Coconut Ice:
1. Light Requirements
Ideal: Full sun to part shade.
It generally performs best with a good amount of light.
In regions with intense, harsh sun, it benefits from a position that receives morning sun and is protected from the strong afternoon sun.
Too much shade: Can result in fewer flowers and leggy growth as the plant stretches for light.
2. Water & Humidity
Watering: This Heliconia requires consistent and abundant water.
The soil should be kept moist at all times during the growing season (spring through fall).
It is not drought-tolerant. Allowing the soil to dry out can lead to brown leaf margins and tips.
Crucially, it requires good drainage. While it loves moisture, it cannot tolerate sitting in soggy, waterlogged soil, which causes root rot.
Humidity: As a tropical plant, it thrives in high humidity. Brown leaf tips can be an indication of low humidity.
3. Temperature & Climate
Climate: Best suited for tropical and subtropical climates (USDA Zones 10-11). It is a good option for cooler subtropical areas as well.
Temperature: It loves warmth. Ideal temperatures are generally above $60^\circ\text{F}$ ($16^\circ\text{C}$).
Frost-Free: It is not frost-tolerant. Exposure to cold temperatures, especially below $50^\circ\text{F}$ ($10^\circ\text{C}$), will cause damage, and a prolonged freeze will kill the rhizome (root structure).
Cold Protection: If you live outside of a consistently warm climate, grow it in a container so it can be moved indoors or to a sheltered, heated area during the winter months.
4. Soil & Fertilizing
Soil: Requires well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Amend the planting area or potting mix generously with compost, well-rotted manure, or organic peat humus.
A slightly acidic $\text{pH}$ (around $6.0-6.5$) is preferred.
Fertilizer: Heliconias are heavy feeders. Regular fertilization is key to encouraging vigorous growth and prolific flowering.
Growing Season (Spring to Autumn): Feed regularly with a high-quality, slow-release granular fertilizer every 3-4 months.
Supplement with a liquid fertilizer rich in magnesium and balanced $\text{NPK}$ every 4 weeks during the warmer months for the best blooms.
Stop or significantly reduce feeding during the cool/dormant winter period.
5. Growth Habit & Maintenance Heliconia Orthotricha Cv. Coconut Ice
Size: This cultivar grows to a moderate height of around $5$ to $8$ feet ($1.5$ to $2.5$ meters).
Growth Habit: It is a clumping variety, meaning it spreads slowly from the center via rhizomes, forming a dense cluster. It is not as aggressively spreading as some other heliconias.
Pruning:
Dead Stalks: Once a stem has produced a flower (inflorescence), it will not flower again. Cut the entire spent stalk down to the ground to redirect energy to new shoots (rhizomes) and encourage future blooms.
Foliage: Trim off any damaged, yellowing, or old leaves as they occur to keep the plant looking tidy.
Wind Protection: The large, banana-like leaves can be easily shredded by strong winds. Plant it in a sheltered position to maintain its best appearance.
