Iridodictyum

Family Iridaceae Name: derived from the Greek words 'iris' - rainbow, for the coloration of the flowers, and 'diction' - net, for the net-fibrous outer coverings of the bulb.

Description: perennials with a small bulb, composed externally of net-fibrous scales and internally of one large fleshy tunicate scale and several small rudimentary scales in the center of the bulb. Roots filiform, numerous, unbranched, dying back during dormancy. Leaves all basal, quadrangular or polygonal or narrowly grooved. Flowering stem single-flowered; during flowering underdeveloped, reaching 3-8 cm in length by the time the capsule matures. Flowers 5-7 cm across, in some species rather strongly scented, brightly colored, with a six-parted corolla-like perianth, with a very long tube of 5-7(11) cm; inner segments of the perianth narrowly or broadly lanceolate, strongly directed upwards, sometimes underdeveloped and bristle-like; outer segments with a raised broad grooved claw, sometimes slightly winged, and a lanceolate or spatulate blade - the limb, bearing at the base a small longitudinal crest-like ridge. Anthers linear, attached to the filaments by their base and turned with the thecae outwards. The style is divided to the base or half its length into 3 petal-like lobes, each of which bears at the tip 2 crest-like appendages, and beneath them a whole or two-lobed stigma. Ovary inferior, three-chambered, with numerous ovules in each chamber. Capsule three-angled, dehiscent along the valves. Seeds small, 2-3 mm long, with a small aril or without one.

The genus is represented by 11 species. Two of them with a tuft of narrowly grooved leaves, enclosed at the base by a single common tubular sheath, one inhabiting the mountains of Central Asia, represent the section Monolepis Rodion. The remaining nine species with cylindrical or sharply quadrangular leaves, not enclosed in a common sheath, representing the section Iridodiclyum, inhabit the mountains and foothills of the Caucasus (Transcaucasia), Asia Minor and the Near East. They are distinguished by very early vegetation and, under favorable conditions, bloom in February-March.

All species without exception are ornamental and, as early-flowering plants, are especially good for rock gardens and forcing in pots or shallow pans. Many species have long been cultivated and are represented by a rich set of cultivars; this applies primarily to I. reticulatum (Bieb.) Rodion., widely known among floriculturists as the netted iris.

Location: very ornamental in sunny spots, tolerates some shading. Most species are fairly winter-hardy. Specific cultivation requirements of Iridodictyum for different regions of our country require further refinement. It can be expected that its cultivation will be most successful in the southern parts of the forest-steppe and steppe regions.

Soil: require sites with neutral to slightly alkaline, well-drained soil. They grow poorly and often suffer from disease in wet places.

Care: in the first half of summer, while the leaves are green, plants are fed with small doses of complete mineral fertilizer, moderately watered in case of drought, and mulched with compost for the winter. Irises grow 4-5 years in one place without transplanting. After flowering they require much warmth and dry conditions, as in their native habitat, therefore they should be protected from summer rains and covered with glass. Bulbs can also be lifted and kept in a dry place until October, after which they are replanted at a depth of 6-8 cm. Where moisture persists, bulbs are better lifted before winter.

Propagation: vegetatively and by seeds. Planting of bulbs is carried out to a depth of 6-12 cm, depending on their size, spaced 10 cm apart. They can remain in one place for 6-8 years. Bulbs are lifted in June, when the leaves yellow, without waiting for them to dry completely. Dry at 23°C for several days, clean and store at the same temperature until mid-August, then until planting at 17°C. Large flowering bulbs often break up into many small bulblets that do not flower. If this continues, the only solution is to buy new flowering bulbs each year. To obtain seeds, artificial pollination is carried out. Seeds are sown immediately after harvest, producing uniform seedlings the following spring. Seedlings are pricked out into a bed, and after two years planted to their permanent location. They flower 3-4 years after sowing. Cultivars of Iridodictyum retain their characteristics only by vegetative propagation by daughter bulbs formed at the base of the mature bulbs; species characteristics are retained when grown from seed.

Uses: Iridodictyum is excellent for planting in alpine and rock gardens; its bulbs are best placed on the southern sides of large stones. It can also be planted in crevices at the tops of retaining walls. In addition, it is a wonderful plant for forcing in small pots starting from January 1 and throughout the winter and early spring.