BIRD OF PARADISE (Strelitzia reginae Ait) FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS FOR ITS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

Within the tropical flowers, the bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae Ait.) has wide acceptance by the consumer, given its beauty and durability in the vase. It is a perennial monocotyledonous tropical plant that is used as a potted plant and cut flower. The plant considered exotic, however its commercial production is limited due to the low rate of natural multiplication. The conventional methods of propagation are by seed or by division of plants however both methods are very slow, also it is necessary to know the optimum fertilization doses and the methods of postharvest preservation that improve the vase life. Therefore, this review analyzes morphological aspects, propagation methods, nutrition and
postharvest management, which will allow a deeper knowledge of this species with wide prospects of growth in the trade of ornamental plants