The Essential Guide To The Crane Flower
Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae
Common Name: Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower
General Knowledge: The Strelitzia, commonly known as the Crane Flower, hails from South Africa, adding an exotic flair to gardens and floral displays. Traditionally used in ornamental landscaping and as a dramatic centrepiece in floral arrangements, it's particularly popular for its unique, bird-like flowers. A fun fact about the Strelitzia is that despite its common name, it doesn't produce any nectar, so the birds it attracts assist in pollination purely by seeking out the vivid colours and intriguing form.
Colour Range: The striking flowers have a brilliant palette that includes bright orange or yellow petals and a distinctive blue "tongue," all nestled within a green/purple boat-shaped bract.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Strelitzia blooms are available from winter to spring, a period that spans from June to November in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: These flowers are ideal for winter and spring events, offering a vibrant and tropical flair that can make a statement in any setting.
Commercially Grown in Australia: Yes, Strelitzia is commercially grown in Australia, making use of the country’s favourable climates in certain regions.
Imported into Australia: While grown domestically, Strelitzias can also be imported, especially to meet demand outside of their natural flowering season.
Buying Tips: Choose flowers where the first bloom is fully open. Avoid stems with brown-black marks, as these indicate chilling injury. Ensure the flower heads are dry at purchase to prevent postharvest diseases.
Design Tips and Advice: Strelitzias can act as both focal and line elements in floral design due to their height and distinctive shape. The large, white flowers of Strelitzia nicolai are particularly effective when arranged in a clear glass vase for simplicity or as part of a larger, elaborate display.
Flower Maturity: Purchase when the first flower on the stem is open for the longest display life.
Expected Vase Life: With proper care, these flowers can last between 7 to 14 days in a vase.
Typical Stem Length: The stems can be quite long, ranging from 60 to 120 cm, providing grandeur and height to arrangements.
Typical Bunch Size: Typically, bunches are sold with 3 to 5 stems.
Floral Preservatives: It’s advisable to use a floral preservative to extend the flower’s life.
Ethylene Sensitivity: Strelitzia is not sensitive to ethylene gas.
Temperature Requirements: Unlike many tropical flowers, Strelitzias do not require cool storage and prefer ambient temperatures.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Ensure good air circulation to prevent rot. Handle with care as flowers can drop and damage easily. Wipe off any nectar exuded to prevent stickiness.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Strelitzias do not typically require cool room storage.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Frequent recutting of stems is recommended, along with hydration in clean water with flower food added.
Care of Non-Ethylene Sensitive Products: Normal care procedures are sufficient as these flowers do not react negatively to ethylene.