Strelitzia reginae “Gold” is a rare yellow form of the well-known crane flower, Strelitzia reginae.

-Yellow-flowering strelitzias have been known for a number of years. These plants spontaneously have cropped up in France, California, Australia, Japan and in South Africa at a few locations, but always as isolated specimens. The seeds from these yellow forms will not breed true as they will most likely have been pollinated by an orange plant. To get yellow progeny, two yellow plants must be crossed. At Kirstenbosch in the 1970’s, there were seven yellow plants in the nursery. John Winter, who was curator during this period, began a project to increase the stock. It took almost twenty years of careful selection and hand-pollination, and in 1994 the original stock had been built up enough to enable them to introduce the yellow strelitzia to horticulture. It was released and traded under the name “Kirstenbosch Gold” until 1996. Palmiye Merkezi bought some seeds as soon as the seeds were available in market. First Golden Strelitzia flower was obtain at 1999 at Palmiye Merkezi in Türkiye. NBI was granted permission to re-name it in honour of Nelson Mandela as “Mandela’s Gold” at 1998.

Golden Bird of Paradise is a stemless, evergreen clump-forming perennial. Greyish green, banana-like leaves grow to a height of about 150cm. Flowering season starts at the end of autumn and continue during winter and spring. Beatiful, large, bird-like flowers are held above the foliage on the tips of long, robust stalks. Plant divide to two after each flowering. In years it makes a very large clan.

The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges, is called the spathe. This is held at right angles to the stem, and has the appearance of a bird’s head. Each spathe contains 4 to 6 flowers, and these emerge one at a time from the spathe. Each flower consists of 3 clear yellow sepals and 3 petals. The yellow sepals give the appearance of a crest on the bird’s’ head. Two of the royal blue petals are joined together around the stamens and the style to form an arrow-like structure. The third blue petal is shorter than others and stays on top of them (please look at photo “çiçek yapısı”).

Strelitzia reginae “Gold” is an easy plant to grow and will thrive in most soils. Full sun, rich and well-drained loam soil with a pH of approximately 7,5, regular deep watering in summer and liberal applications of fertilizer in growing season, necessary to make the ideal condition. Plants will respond well to generous applications of manure and compost or additional fertilizer watered in about once a month during summer. A fertilizer with the proportions 9-3-15 encourages flowering. Strelitzias will also do well in semi-shade, in sunny countries but they need as much sun as they can get if they are to flower well.

Golden Bird of Paradise once established, they can survive with very little water, and they are tolerant of wind and coastal conditions. It is sensitive to freze as the other strelitzias and needs a sheltered position against northern winds at mediterranean region in areas that experience frost.

Use in Landscape: Strelitzia reginae “Gold” is a striking feature plant, a decorative garden subject and adds a tropical feel to courtyards and swimming pool areas. They look marveleous in separate groups with orange color strelitzias at the grass areas. May be use as a borderline plant or as first row in front of the Giant Strelitzias (Strelitzia nicolai). It is suitable for cultivation in large terracote pots and containers. In this case, for better flowering performance it should be fed with a dilute liquid fertilizer at least every other week, particularly at the beginning of the growing season. In cold climates it can be grown as a winter garden plant or in nurseries. It is also make an excellent cutflower.

Propagation of Golden Bird Of Paradise is by seed or division. The plants are slow-growing and large clumps that are split or moved will take at least two years to re-establish themselves and flower again. To get a mature flowering plant from seed, under ideal conditions it takes about 3 years. But for unexperienced growers, this time is not less then 5-6 years. Before sowing, the bright orange aril should be remowed. Seedlings should be a good size before being transplanted (two to three leaves) into a well-drained potting medium. Regular repotting allows the young plant to develop rapidly. Restricting the root development retards growth.