We purchased "sassy" heliconia potted plants at a store on the Mainland in September. The cold weather (unseasonable 30s temperatures) frosted the plants and they turned brown. We cut them back. Can you give us suggestions for helping to restore life and vigor to these beautiful plants? Mahalo!

-- Carol Stoney Iponani Bautista (bautiscr@sce.com), January 25, 1999

Answers

The cold temperatures are not condusive towards healthy heliconias. Being a plant of the tropics and warm weather makes for a difficult transition. Your plant however may not be a total loss. Although you cut it back, the rooted portion of the plant may still be alive, unless the extreme ground temperature got to it. If it is still alive it will send out another shoot. Be careful when tending to it at or near the base of the plant itself, as that is where the new shoot will emerge. Good luck!

-- blee (shaka007@gte.net), January 25, 1999.