{"product_id":"nasiona-hellenia-lacera-costus-lacerus","title":"Hellenia Lacera Seeds - Costus Lacerus","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eHellenia Lacera - Costus lacerus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eHellenia lacera\u003c\/strong\u003e (formerly Costus lacerus, Cheilocostus lacerus) is a striking rhizomatous perennial from the Costaceae family, closely related to spiral ginger, Hellenia speciosa. It forms upright, cane-like stems 1–2 m tall; their lower sections are covered with leafless sheaths, while the upper sections bear large, elliptic or lanceolate-oblong leaves 25–35 cm long. At the tip of the stem, a compact, ovoid inflorescence 6–11 cm long develops, composed of hairy bracts that disintegrate into fibers with age - hence the Latin epithet lacera, meaning “tattered.” Large flowers emerge from the inflorescence, with a broad, trumpet-shaped lip with a wavy margin reaching up to 9 cm in length.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth and development characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe plant grows from a fleshy rhizome, which produces new stems each season. In warmth and humidity, growth is rapid - a young plant reaches its full height of \u003cstrong\u003e1–2 m\u003c\/strong\u003e within \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 years\u003c\/strong\u003e and begins flowering. The stems are unbranched and, unlike those of H. speciosa, do not twist into a spiral but grow straight. When overwintered in cool conditions, the above-ground part usually dies back, while the rhizome resumes growth in spring; a well-maintained plant is long-lived and forms an increasingly broad clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering and fruiting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIn nature, it flowers from \u003cstrong\u003eMay to July\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the fruits ripen from \u003cstrong\u003eSeptember to November\u003c\/strong\u003e. The flowers emerge singly from between the bracts; their main ornamental feature is the lip - formed from fused staminodes - which is broad and trumpet-shaped with a wrinkled margin. Depending on the source, it is described as white to pale pink, often with a yellowish band in the throat. The fruit is a hairy, ellipsoid capsule about 2.5 cm long, containing black seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin and natural habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe species was described by François Gagnepain in 1903 from specimens collected in Sikkim. According to Kew (POWO), its range includes Nepal, the eastern Himalayas, Assam, Tibet, Myanmar, southern China and northern Thailand. It grows in moist places in forests, along their edges and beside roads, at elevations of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e1100–2200 m above sea level\u003c\/strong\u003e - it is a mountain plant adapted to monsoon summers and cooler, drier winters than lowland species of the family.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultivation requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIt needs a bright position sheltered from intense sunlight - partial shade is ideal. The soil should be fertile, humus-rich, well drained and consistently moderately moist; in containers, compost-based soil mixed with bark and perlite works well. During the growing season, water generously and fertilize every 2–3 weeks; the plant appreciates high air humidity. The recommended minimum temperature for the above-ground part is approximately 10 °C, while the rhizome in dry soil tolerates brief drops to around 0 °C.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIn Europe's temperate climate, the safest method is to grow it in a large container placed outdoors from late spring to early autumn. For winter, move the container to a bright, cool room (10–15 °C) and reduce watering; the dormant rhizome can be stored almost completely dry at 5–10 °C. In the warmest regions of Europe (USDA 9 and warmer), the species is sometimes planted in the ground under a thick layer of mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrnamental uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eAn impressive specimen plant for conservatories, greenhouses and summer terrace arrangements. The large leaves on tall stems create a lush, tropical character, while the terminal inflorescences provide summer interest. It combines well with bananas, cannas, colocasias and ferns, and as a rarity among the Costaceae, it is an interesting alternative to the more common Hellenia speciosa.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"mr.seed","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":54108386132296,"sku":"2771","price":3.9,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":54108386165064,"sku":"2772","price":6.9,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":54108386197832,"sku":"2773","price":56.0,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/2649\/0440\/files\/Nasiona-Hellenia-LaceraCostus-Lacerus-3.webp?v=1790069804","url":"https:\/\/www.mrseed.eu\/en\/products\/nasiona-hellenia-lacera-costus-lacerus","provider":"mr.seed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}