Strelitzia is a genus containing five species of perennial, originating from southern Africa belong to the family Strelitziaceae.

Genus name is derived from the queen of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of England, promoter of botany.

Strelitzia Reginae

In 1773 Sir Joseph Banks, Director Botanic Garden Kew, exotic species called the "Bird of Paradise" (Bird Paradise), in honor of his queen.

Strlitzia Reginae is an evergreen species, grow to 180 cm high and 100 cm wide. Leaves simple, with marigin undulata, nervatiune pinnate, 30-45 cm long, paleGreen-glauca. Flower consists of 3 sepa 3 orange and blue petals. The fruit is a capsule oblong, triangular, 50x20 mm, dehiscence, black and shiny. Blooming period is from autumn to spring.

Grows well in conditions of semiumbra or direct light, but away from direct sunlight. Ideal temperature should not exceed 18 ^o C and minimum temperature, winter, should not be lower of 10 ^o C.

They grow well on porous substrates, rich in humus and well drained. Not support the excess moisture, causing it mucegairea roots leading to plant death.

Plants need fertilizing weekly from spring to late autumn.

Sprinkling is not to plant dormant period (June-July). Between one and another spraying is necessary to dry land surface.

The plant prefers moist environments but care must be taken not to wet the flowers.

It is important regular cleaning of the leaves with a wet and soft material but should not be used for gloss leaf solutions.

The plant is trasplanteaza early spring each year, adapters are made only to the plant celebrates 5 years. It uses the great vessels, 30 cm in diameter.

After 5 years, the plant is considered mature and start flowering, but not be disturbed in any way until it is done flowering. It refreshes the first 2-3 cm from the ground surface and replaced with a new ground in the spring.

Fertilization is from October to May, input elements must be concentrated in potassium and nitrogen in the same proportion, and a lesser amount phosphorus (up to 5 years).

When the plant is mature (after 5 years), potassium intake should be double compared to nitrogen and phosphorus in small amounts.

Magnesium influences the formation of chlorophyll, copper acts on enzymes respectivelyIrati, Paraná, boron influences apical vegetative development, even in small quantities these micronutrients should not miss.

Strelitzia is multiplied by division and by seeds and shrubs.

In greenhouse conditions artificially pollinated plants have, in their natural environment is made of bird pollination Cyanomitra olivacea. Seed germination is at 23-26 ^o C.

Tegumetul seeds have hard, so seeds should be kept for 24 hours in hot water before sowing.

Seeding is a mixture of peat and perlite. The land must be maintained wet. To keep a moist environment, the vessel is covered with a plastic sheet until the seeds germinate.

Germination takes 1-6 months.

To grow better plants, place each in a different boat. In colder climates plants are sheltering indoors during winter.

Flowering plants obtained from seeds requires4 or more years Peter bloom.

Splitting machines is made in June, is divided by the root mass with a disinfected knife. It treats the cut surfaces with a powder fungicidin on sulfur and are planted in separate pots.

Be positioned in places warm and sunny, but not direct sun and keep the ground moist at all times.

It takes about one and a half to catch up to plants.

Before the winter months is okay to make a antifungicid treatment.

Source www.catenella58.it, www.plantzafrica.com, www.culturesheet.org, www.elicriso.it