Spotted Ixia

Family Iridaceae The corm is rounded, about 3 cm in diameter. The stem is leafy, up to 40 cm tall. Leaves are basal, narrow, lanceolate. Blooms in mid-summer. Inflorescence is spike-like, many-flowered. Flowers are widely open, in various colors, with a dark center, up to 4 cm across. They close at night.

Location: requires planting in a sunny spot. Soils are preferred to be nutrient-rich. During the growing period - moisture-loving.

Planting: In temperate climates corms are planted in the ground at a depth of 8 cm as late as possible, in late November, so that they do not sprout before winter. Plantings are insulated with leaves or straw, which are removed early in spring. If there is a risk of the soil freezing, it is preferable to plant ixias in spring at a depth of 5 cm. For winter, dig them up and store at 5-8°C.

Digging up: After flowering the corms remain in the ground until the end of July. Then they are dug up and stored in boxes in a dry place until replanting in the ground. (In the south they are planted in the ground in late autumn, at a depth of 15 cm). Often used for forcing.

Propagation: Easily propagated by seeds, flowering in the first or second year. Vegetatively propagated by dividing the clump.

Uses: As cut flowers they last in water for 2-3 weeks. Good in small groups in flower beds and on a rock garden

based on materials from the website www.flower.onego.ru