Features of growing Strelitzia from seeds at home

Royal Strelitzia is a rare decorative culture that has an incredibly beautiful view. The plant has other names - a royal bird or a bird of paradise.

Any grower will want to grow Strelitzia, as it blooms elegantly and for a long time. From the beginning of the opening of the first bud to the withering of the last, 6-7 months pass.

But in order for the inflorescences to appear, you will have to work hard, as the tropical beauty has special requirements for maintenance and care.

Requirements for growing plants at home

How to grow Strelitzia at home? In the phase of active growth, if you adhere to the classical scheme of maintenance, regular and plentiful watering is important in the summer. Nutrient formulations every 10 days. But laying flower buds requires a cool and dry dormant period. It lasts about 2.5 months.

In winter, it is necessary to keep the flower in a consecrated and cool roomwhere the temperature is 14-16 degrees. To reduce soil moisture to a minimum, it is enough to water it every 10-15 days. At the same time, make sure that there is no drying out.

Fertilizers during dormancy should be completely excluded. Since the leaves of Strelitzia are quite dense, they calmly tolerate dry air, but at the same time they need regular spraying.

How to grow from planting material?

The choice

To obtain your own planting material, you must:

1. At the stage of flowering plants to conduct artificial pollination.
2. Spread the collected seeds on clean and dry paper for 5-6 days.
3. Then put in a dry jar and store until spring.

Strelitzia seeds can be bought at the store. Only high similarity will not be expected, since such seed material quickly loses its properties.

Soak

This procedure is carried out by flower growers for many reasons. The most common is a test of the readiness of the seeds that were purchased at the store. Seeds should be soaked in warm water for a day. If after this the seed has hatched, then you can use it for further planting.

Ground preparation and tanks

For Strelitzia, a universal substrate is suitable. You can buy it at a specialty store. But there is another option - self-preparation of the nutrient mixture.

To do this, in equal proportions combine the following components:

• sand;
• sheet earth;
• peat;
• greenhouse land.

The resulting mixture should be perfectly breathable. and contain a large amount of nutrients. As for the pot, it does not matter what material it will be made of (plastic, ceramic), the main thing is that the plant in it should not be crowded. Otherwise, it will feel bad and begin to develop poorly. Strelitzia will lose its leaves and lose its decorative appearance.

Sowing

1. Prepared seeds are planted in disposable cups filled with a nutrient mixture.
2. Put one grain in each container, slightly crush it with earth and sprinkle with water. If there is doubt about germination, then you can plant several seeds in one glass, while observing a distance of 2-3 cm between them.
3. Cover the seedlings with glass and set in a bright place.

Temperature

Strelitzia seedlings must be kept at a temperature of 24 degrees. Only under these conditions, plants will grow actively and will soon delight with lush flowering.

Sprout dates

If fresh seeds were used for planting, and they were kept under full conditions, then they should germinate after 1.5 months. Already grown plants dive into a separate container. Do this when 2 leaves form on them.

When transplanting, take into account that the root system of Strelitzia is stem, therefore, the roots are long, brittle and thick. When injured, plant growth is impaired, and in some cases the flower may die. Grow already dived seedlings at a temperature of 22 degrees, good lighting and moderate watering.

Humidification after emergence

Freshly sprouted seeds need moisture. To do this, use boiled water. Carry out such activities only after the top layer of the earth has dried.

Watering

Since Strelitzia is a tropical plant, the soil must be moist for it. But stagnation of water cannot be allowed, otherwise the root system will rot and the plant will die. Similarly with humidity. Spray a flower regularly or do a wet wipe. For irrigation, use soft, settled and warm water.

Lighting

At first glance, Strelitzia may seem like a moody decorative culture. But in fact, for its magnificent growth and flowering, it is necessary to make a minimum of effort. When planting, consider that the bush needs a large space.

Set the pot with the plant on the east or west window. You can keep it on the south side, but then you have to shade the flower so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

As soon as the warm summer days are settled, put the pot with the plant on the balcony or in the garden.

How does a plant propagate in a vegetative way?

Division

The division of plants to perform at the end of their spring flowering. Place new seedlings in spacious pots, suitable in size. Do everything carefully so as not to injure the roots.

Side shoots

Separation of lateral shoots is possible only in mature plantswho are already 6-7 years old. Each detachable specimen must contain a minimum of 1 shoot.

Procedure:

1. Free the roots from the soil.
2. Remove all damaged areas with scissors.
3. Carefully separate, suitable for propagating plants, rooting side shoots.
4. The places of cuts should be treated with charcoal powder, and, if necessary, with a fungicide.

Pot selection

Strelitzia is a rhizome culture, so she prefers to grow in a free pot. If she is cramped, then her roots will begin to grow outward. You can choose a plastic container whose diameter is 12-20 cm.

The composition of the earth mixture

An ideal substrate for Strelitzia is fertile, light soil, consisting of: peat, leaf and sod land, taken in equal amounts. Add some charcoal to the drain.

In the store you can buy a ready-made substrate with high-quality aeration. The most common soil for indoor flowers and plants is suitable.

Landing

Procedure:

1. Fill the container 2/3 with a nutrient substrate, after making several holes with a diameter of 5 mm.
2. Pour boiling water over the soil abundantly, compact it and wait until it cools.
3. Pour a 2-cm layer of sand and set the planting material.
4. Add the rest of the earth, pour water and install in a bright room where there is no direct sunlight, and the air temperature will be 22-24 degrees.
5. Cover the seedlings with a cropped plastic bottle, creating a mini-greenhouse. It can be removed somewhere in 7-10 days.

Growing Strelitzia at home is a responsible business that requires some experience. This plant is used to a warm climate and is sometimes very moody. But on the other hand, it can thank its owner with lush and long flowering, as a result of which Strelitzia looks simply luxurious.

Watch the video: Loving Your Bird Of Paradise. The Plant Doctor (May 2024).