Frequently asked questions.

 

Where is Agrotropical located?

Agrotropical is located in Pereira, a city in the Colombian Andes.  The cultivation is 1280 meters above sea level and is in an area with high amounts of precipitation and  an average temperature of 23 degrees celcius.

 

How do you ship the Rhizomes ?

All international shipments are done via DHL, a courier business that does door to door delivery throughout the world. High volume shipments can be arranged with delivery to the airport or in other conditions that are favorable for both parties.  National shipments are done via a surface mail business that delivers within three days.

How can I pay for the rhizomes?

In internet, the transactions can be done with credit card using our US agency CCNOW that has the technology to safely make these transactions.  Wholesale shipments can be paid by wiring the money, depositing the money in one of our accounts in the US, Spain or Colombia or whatever manner convenient for both parties.
National transactions can be paid by depositing money in our Conavi account.

 

How many days will the rhizomes last after being taken from the soil?

This time period varies according to each species.  The small variety rhizomes can last up to 12 days ;  the medium sized rhizomes can last up to 15 days, and the largest up to 25 days.   The rhizomes are pulled only 1 day before sending the order so that they can arrive in ideal condition for planting.
 

How should I care for the rhizomes?

It's important to plant the rhizomes as soon as possible.  The other recommendations we have are explained with photos web page about "care of rhizomes".
 

How do you certify that the plants arrive free of sicknesses?

All shipments are accompanied by a phitosanitary certificate signed by Colombian authorities.  Normally this certificate is obligatory in the originating country as well as the country of destination.
 

Are there any restrictions to import rhizomes to my country?
Some countries have restrictions with the importation of rhizomes.  Agrotropical recommends verifying restrictions of the destination country before proceding with the order.

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How long will it take for the rhizomes to arrive after the ordering process ?

From the moment the order is placed, it takes about two weeks to send it.  In this period, the phitosanitary certificates, required by each country, are processed and the orders are arranged.  The transportation time varies depending on the destination.  It usually takes between three to seven days (7 days being the furthest destinations -- Asia and Australia).
 

How much does the shipment cost?

If the payment is made via internet with a credit card, there is a set cost:
 

 

In case of wholesale orders, the cost of shipment will be calculated according to the tariffs and volumes depending on the destination.
 

Is there a discount for high volume orders?

Yes.  The discounts go as follows:
 

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What is the germination percentage of the plants?

If all of our recommendations are followed in management and care of rhizomes, the germination should be around 90%.
 

I planted the rhizomes, and after two weeks, I see that they are spoiling and haven't bloomed.  What do I do?

The visible part of the rhizome will spoil, but the part that you find below ground is flourishing, as new stems are coming out to form a new plant.  This process takes about twenty days to a month to be visible.
 

Are all heliconia species the same size?

No, heliconias, and in general the zingiberales, can be grouped in 4 of the following groups:
 

• Mini: plants between 40 cms and 1 meter
• Small:  between 1 and 2 meters
• Medium:  between 2 and 4 meters
• Large:  More than 4 meters

These sizes are of adult plants (plants older than 10 months).

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How many flowers will a plant produce in one year?

The number of flowers per plant varies depending on the species and year of production.  The most productive species can produce up to 300 flowers/year while the least productive, 15.  The first year is the year of least production.  From the second year on, production stabilizes.
 

What climate conditions do Heliconias need?

Though there are Heliconias that can be found in cold climates, the species produced by Agrotropical are for temperate and warm climates.  The two variables to keep in mind are temperatures no less than 14 degrees celcius and high humidity with obligatory watering in zones with scarce rain.
 

How much does each rhizome weigh?

The weight of the rhizome is normally directly proportional to the size of the plant, with some exceptions.
 

• Mini: 70 grs
• Small:  up to 160 grams
• Medium:  up to 350 grams
• Large:  More than 350 grams up to 1000 grams in the largest species.

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Is there a minimum order?

For international orders, the minimum order value is US $150.00.  National orders have no minimum order value.
 
 

Do you have heliconias for cold climates?

No, though there are species in cold climates.  Agrotropical specializes in temperate and warm climate Heliconias.
 

I need foliage.

We do sell foliage, some of the species we offer are listed in our web site.
 

How are the rhizome packed? Are they free of soil?

The rhizomes are pulled one day before being sent and they are put through a disinfection process.  The rest of the soil is eliminated, and the rhizomes are packed in bags of paper.  Each rhizome is  marked by a number of identification.
 

What is the planting distance between plants in a cultivation?

The planting distance varies depending on the size of the plants and is difficult to generalize.  The following are some more common measures and suggestions:
 

• Mini: beds or rows of 150 cms wide in which the rhizomes can be planted with a distance of 30 cms between each plant by 50 centimeters between each row.
• Small:  1 meter between each plant by 2 meters between each row.
• Medium:  1.5 meters betwwen plants by 3 meters between each row.
• Large: 2.5 meters between plants by 4 meters between rows.

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How long does it take for a plant to bloom?

This period varies depending on the species.  The most rapid species bloom from the moment of planting to 6 months later.  Some species, though, don't blooom for up to 3 years.  The majority bloom between 8 and 12 months.
 

How many days does it take for the rhizome to shoot new stems?

From the moment of planting, it can take up to 1 month to see the first stems.
 

How many days do the flowers last after cutting them?

The smaller flowers last up to five days while some medium and large varieties can last up to 45 days .
 

Are all flowers the same size?

No.  The smallest have longitudes of 5 cms (maximum) while some of the hanging species can be up to 2 meters long.
 

I understand that some species need shade.

Yes.  There are many varying opinions on this theme, but in Agrotropical, we try to have light shade in 70% of the species.  The other 30%  can tolerate direct sunlight.
 

Are all species commercial?  Are some more commercial than others?

The world market of tropical flowers is still small, and though there are some species more known than others, it's too soon to judge which will be most attractive for future markets.  Some things to keep in mind at the time of choosing the most attractive commercial species are:
 
 

• The weight of the flower:  The cost of transportation is perhaps the greatest obstacle for the development of tropical flowers and their inclusion in European and American markets.  Heavy varieties of species are very expensive to ship and normally aren't used in flower arrangements due to management complexities and complications.
• Duration after being cut?  A flower is commercial if it lasts at least 8 days, in good condition, after being cut.
• The form of a flower:  Some flowers grow in spirals, and this makes their packing difficult and complicated.  This can be resolved by cutting the flower in early maturity stages.  The erect flowers are more commercial than those that have a hanging form.  Though the hanging flowers are exquisite, florists aren't familiar in the management of them and for this reason, they don't have great success in the market.
• Color: Reds and oranges are most commercial, followed by the yellows.  There is also space for greens and purples, but in smaller quantities.

 

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