FAMILY

-  Haemodoraceae

GENUS

-  Anigozanthos

SPECIES

-  Manglesii, Pulcherrima, Rufa...

VARIETY

-  CAPE Red Lead, -Aurora, -Amazon...

COMMON NAME

-  Kangaroo Paw

ORIGIN

-  South Western Australia

 

The KANGAROO PAW is a perennial plant similar to the Iridaceae (Iris family). All species have perennial rhizomes from which linear strap shaped leaves arise. These leaves vary in length (0.1 to 0.8 m) and in color light/dark green.

 

The flowers are tubular, 2 – 5 cm long, splitting open to form their interesting shape. They appear at the end of a long flowering stalk or scape (0.1 to 1.5 meters long). The scapes and flowers are covered with velvety hairs. Some species have single scapes while others are branched.

 

Flower colors range from red, pink, orange, yellow, green to black. Most flowers have two or more colors that continue on the scapes.

 

KANGAROO PAW grows in most soils but prefers acid with the optimum PH being 6 – 6.5. It prefers good drainage and has low water and fertilizer requirements.

 

KANGAROO PAW grows in the optimum temperature range of 15 – 35oC but can tolerate lower temperatures. They can’t stand heavy frost.

 

KANGAROO PAW - cut flower can be planted all year round. The best planting seasons are spring and autumn. Some varieties are grown in a greenhouse while others can be grown in the open.

Low temperatures influence induction and flower formation. The flowering season is from autumn to early summer.

 

Recommended planting density of 3000 – 6000 plants per 1000 m2.

First harvest: The first winter – 4 to 6 months after planting.

Some varieties can be harvested for 1 – 3 years, others for 5 or more.

 

KANGAROO PAW - pot plants can be planted year round. It flowers year round, except the yellow variety Aurora, which flowers in autumn– summer. Recommended pot size 15-20 cm, the height reaches from 30 – 50 cm. Flower quality may worse in mid-summer because of climatically conditions.

Pot will be ready for marketing around 4 months from planting.

 

For further information, including lists of varieties available, please feel free to contact us.