Royal strelitzia (Strelitzia reginae)

Synonyms: royal strelitzia, bird of paradise flower

Strelitzia reginae (Strelitzia reginae) - a species of perennial herbaceous plant in the family Strelitziaceae (Strelitziaceae). The species was first introduced to Europe in 1793 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. Named in honor of the wife of British King George III, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It is the official flower of Los Angeles, the unofficial emblem of the Republic of South Africa, and also a symbol of freedom and independence.

Occurs naturally in southern and southeastern Africa.

It is a rhizomatous plant 1,2-1,3 м in height. Leaves are glabrous, leathery, oval in shape, up to 40 см long, 10—30 cm wide, with entire margins, arranged in two ranks forming a fan-shaped crown, dark green with pinnate venation. Petiole 50-60 см in length.

Flowers up to 15 см in diameter, shaped like tropical birds. They are borne at the ends of long stalks. The outer perianth segments are orange, the inner ones dark blue. The petals are fused, enclosing an elastic column. Blooms in spring; flowers last several weeks. During flowering the plant "shoots" at its insect pollinators.

Fruits – many-seeded capsules.

Cultivars: ‘Mandela's Gold’

Hardiness zone: 9b (-3.8 °C).

Temperature: Strelitzia prefers moderate or cool winter conditions around 14-15 °C, minimum 12 °C.

Light: Bright lighting, including some direct sunlight in the morning or evening. Shading will be needed if the plant stands on a south or southwest window. An east-facing window is preferable.

Watering: Heavy from spring to autumn, moderate in winter - about once every 10-14 days; in any case the soil should not dry out completely.

Fertilizer: From March to August apply fertilizer every 2 weeks with special liquid fertilizers for flowering houseplants at the doses recommended in the instructions. It is possible to water with organic fertilizers - diluted manure slurry.

Humidity: Wipe the strelitzia's leaves occasionally with a sponge. Periodic spraying is desirable.

Repotting: Young plants are repotted annually in spring, mature ones every 2 years. Strelitzia thrives and flowers only when it has a spacious pot, so it is advisable to grow it in large tubs and containers. Very nutritious soil is required (clay-loam mixed with leaf and peat soil, as well as well-rotted cow manure and sand). Good drainage is essential.

Propagation: By division during repotting and by seeds.

Uses: In Ukraine it is cultivated as a houseplant. Flowers are used for creating bouquets and arrangements.