STRELITZIAS AND BANANAS
BIRD OF PARADISE FLOWERS
Known in Turkey as the “Bird of Paradise Flower” or “Crane’s Beak,” the Bird of Paradise belongs to the Strelitziaceae family. The scientific name of this plant is Strelitzia reginae. However, in addition to the commonly known Bird of Paradise, there are four other species within this family that are not widely recognized in Turkey.These evergreen, perennial plants produce offsets and are naturally found in the open grasslands and along riverbanks of South Africa.
Of the four Strelitzia species cultivated at our Center, three have been propagated in Turkey for the first time by the Palm Center.
STRELİTZİA REGİNA – BIRD OF PARADISE PLANT
This plant, known as Strelitzia in our country, is currently marketed as the most expensive cut flower, and is reproduced from seeds or by dividing large clumbs. It is brush type plant. It has long , elliptical leaves and can reach 1 – 1.5 meter height. Annually it propagates after flowering, forming groups from a single plant. When grown from seed, it takes at least four years before flower is produced. It is not resistant to frost, but can tolerate down to – 4 C, for short periods.
Orange and blue flowers are extraordinarily beautiful and resemble the head of a bird, It is cultivated as outdoors aesthetic plants in countries having Mediterranean type climates (California, South Australia, Mediterranean Countries). It adepts well in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is the symbol flower of the city of Los Angeles.
It is being produced as cut flowers in the Canary Islands over large plantations, and is a major source of foreign exchange. In our country it is grown at a modest scale in green houses in Yalova, Izmir and Antalya.
Strelitzia reginae has also a social importance. It is known as the flower given to men. We observe that during the world sports competitions, it is often given to male sportsmen.
It is reproduced from seeds or by dividing the clums. For new greenhouses it is recommended to to grow from seeds. Generally the flowering period is spring and fall.
STRELİTZİA JUNCEA – DWARF STRELITZIA
Although, known as dwarf strelitzia, this description is not entirely correct, as due to its long leaves, it is relatively tall. It has been reproduced first time Turkey in our Palm Center, which is struggling to add new species to the current list. This species although having same type of flowers, have much thinner leaves which almost have the shape of a sword. The flowers of clumps, create a pleasant sea of colours among the thin leaves.
STRELİTZİA NİCOLAİ – GIANT STRELITZIA – NATALS WILD BANANA
This Giant Banana of Natal, known as Giant Bird of Paradise Plant, is much taller than other Strelitzias and reaches 8-10 meters height. These too make clumps as the other Strelitzias. Each leave reaches 1 meter length with a 2 meter long stalk. They form a stem in time. Its flowers are 45 cm long, in the form of a thick bird peak, in white-grey colour. Flower stalks are pink-green and each stalk can have 1-3 flowers. Generally flowering is in summer.
Giant Strelitzias as others reproduced by removing suckers or from the mother or from the seed.
STRELİTZİA REGİNA GOLD – GOLDEN STRELITZIA
This new Strelitzia species has been cultured in the 90ties by the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens of The RSA and later seeds were made available. Flower colour is golden yellow and blue, instead of the usual orange. In the 1996 Kirstenbosch seed catalogue it was listed as Strelitzia regina Kirstenbosch Gold and each seed was sold for 1 American Dollar. Its export was to United States of America was indicated to be not permitted. These seeds need as special procedure for germination. In the 1997 catalogue the name of this plant was changed from Kirstenbosch Gold to “Mandela Gold”.
Golden Strelitzia has brought a gold medal to the South African Team in the 1998 Chelsea Plant Fair, which is organized annually in London and is one of the largest world exhibitions. Golden Strelitzia has received much publicity in the media also after receiving much attention from the Queen of England Elizabeth II during that fair.
Golden Strelitzia has been cultivated in our Center as first in our country, and with special care has produced its first flower in 1999.
