Helicornia lobster claw:
These plants display oval shaped-flowers which are spirally arranged, with colours varying from red to orange and tips of the flower may show yellow colours. These are also called as FALSE BIRD-OF-PARADISE PLANTs. The leaves of the plant are like banana leaves, broad and lanceolate and the whole plant can read to a height of 2m or more when kept outdoor and less when kept indoors.
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HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PLANT:
SOIL:
- A soil with acidic pH (5.0-6.5), well-draining, loamy soil.
- These plants prefer moist and humid soil. Avoid misting in the winter months as it can lead to fungal problems especially when kept in indoors.
LIGHT:
- Position your plant such that it gets indirect sunlight and protection from strong sunlight in the afternoon or else it will scorch/burn the leaf/ leaf fall.
- They require indirect sunlight for their optimum growth. Though they can be tolerant of the full sunlight, depending on the variety of the plant.
WATERING:
- Water the plant only when 2-2.5 inches of the top soil has dried.
- Watering schedules to be taken care of especially during the warmest months of the year and hence requires a more frequent waterings. Underwatering will lead to browning of leaves.
- Overwatering will lead to rotting of the roots. The signs of overwatering are yellowing or browning of leaves and stalks.
FERTILIZING:
- Fertilizing throughout the growing season i.e., spring to summers (April-June), preferably every 2-4 weeks, this will boost growth of the plant and faster bloom.
PRUNING:
- Prune the plants after the bloomed flowers have become old and faded, to enhance growth and remove the weak sections if the plant part.
- The spent plants (plants that have flowered) can be cut from the base of the rhizome to enhance new growth during fall or summers.
PROPAGATION OF PLANT:
Rhizomes
These plants can be easily propagated using underground rhizomes, by dividing the new plant from the parent plant and allowing it to grow in a moist location, away from direct sunlight for its initial growth.
Propagation to done preferably during spring season (March-April).
ORIGIN | Tropical forests of South America |
COLOURS ON PLANT | Red, orange |
PLANT TYPE | Tropical; OUTDOOR/INDOORS |
SOIL | Acidic (moist) |
LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Indirect sunlight; protect from afternoon sun |
WATERING | When 2-2.5 inches of topsoil appears dry; frequent in summers |
FERTILIZERS | Feed during mid-March or April |
PROPAGATION | Rhizomes |
GROWING SEASON | Spring to summer |
Quantity: A single rhizome with bare roots.
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