Well, it’s been a few weeks since the two flower heads on the strelitzia tipped, ready to open and we now have the first set of flowers on display:
This first one is actually a little more advanced; the first set of petals are already finishing, but there is more in the “boat”, a second set of bright blue and orange petals should be ready to spring out in the next week or so. Mean while, the second flower has also opened and is gradually unfurling:
It’s on a rather short stem, but the flower is the right size. These two together make for the first pair of flowers in a plant that started was started from seed seven years ago, probably the longest I’ve waited for any plant to flower and also the longest I’m likely to wait!
The strelitzia does seem to be making up for lost time however, after the current pair of flowers finish, there are still another two to come and with the plant having divided itself into several, it might not be too long before the large pot its currently in starts bursting at the seams. With the plant finally showing maturity, I’m, hoping we’re on an annual flowering cycle and this isn’t a once-in-seven-years event.
I must admit that it’s an unusual contrast looking at this tropical flowering Bird of Paradise plant, while the snow is coming down outside. It’s a shame we don’t have the equally vibrant Sunbird, to pollinate it.
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