In the Gardeners' Monthly for May, 1882, page 141, H. G. C. asks for information concerning the Strelitzia regina.

In reply I would say that the Strelitzia regina belongs to the natural order Musaceae, and that it is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, from whence it was introduced in 1773.

It is a plant of tropical appearance, having long oval leaves produced on leaf stalks from three to five feet in length, while the singular flowers are produced on stout erect flower stalks which are somewhat longer than those of the leaf stalks.

Each stalk produces four or five splendid large flowers which open in succession from a curious horizontal spathe-like bract, and stand up like a crest of purple and gold, the lanceolate shaped sepals being from three to four inches in length and of a rich orange yellow color, while inside of them are the three hastate upright light blue petals which enclose the stamens and style, the whole forming a peculiar and singularly attractive flower.

The Strelitzia is a plant of easy culture, requiring during the winter season a temperature of from 550 to 6o°, a compost of two parts turfy loam and one part well rotted stable manure, give good drainage, and at all times an abundance of pot room for its thick fleshy roots. When growing water freely, but when in a dormant state do not supply quite so much, yet it must be kept moist at all times, and an occasional watering of liquid manure water is beneficial. During the summer season the plant should be placed or plunged in a sunny situation, care being taken as to watering. Propagation is effected by division of the plant. This should be done very carefully in order not to injure the thick fleshy roots, and when re-potting take care of the roots, for if they become injured they are liable to decay and thus materially injure the growth of the plant.