Ixia viridiflora is a winter-growing, summer-dormant, deciduous perennial. The root stock is a corm, usually about 1 cm in diameter. It is one of the taller ixias, with upright, narrow, grass-like leaves, 400-550 mm long. The inflorescence is a lax, many-flowered spike with12 to 20 flowers per spike, on a slender stem, 500 - 950 mm long. Each flower is a brilliant turquoise-green with a conspicuous purple-black circular stain or 'eye' in the middle. The dark eye is caused by the deep blue sap of the cells of the upper epidermis. The green colour is not produced by green pigment but is due to the effectsof light being refracted from striations in the cell wall and granules embedded in the pale blue cell sap. The green ixia is particularly showy, a number of flowers on the spike open together and persist for several days without fading or falling off. In fact, this ixia has more flowers open together at one time on one spike than any of the other ixias.
How to Grow and Care
Plant turquoise ixia bulbs 2 inches deep in early autumn if you live where winters remain above 20 degrees F. (-7 C.). Plant bulbs about inch deeper and cover them with a thick layer of mulch if you live where winter temperatures drop to 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). In this climate, late fall is the best time for planting.
Plant turquoise ixia bulbs in spring if you live in a colder climate. You’ll see blooms in early summer. Dig the plants and store them in paper sacks during the winter.
Alternatively, grow plant turquoise ixia bulbs in small containers measuring about 6 inches in diameter. Fill the containers with a well-drained potting medium, such as one part potting mix and two parts coarse sand. Allow about 1 to 1 ½ inches between bulbs, with the same distance between the bulbs and the edge of the pot. Bring the pots indoors before temperatures drop below about 28 degrees F. (-2 C.).
You can also grow turquoise ixia plants as annuals, and plant new bulbs every spring.
- Scientific name: Ixia viridiflora Lam.
- Common names: Green ixia, Groenkalossie
- Family: Iridaceae
- Genus: Ixia
How to Grow and Care
Plant turquoise ixia bulbs 2 inches deep in early autumn if you live where winters remain above 20 degrees F. (-7 C.). Plant bulbs about inch deeper and cover them with a thick layer of mulch if you live where winter temperatures drop to 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). In this climate, late fall is the best time for planting.
Plant turquoise ixia bulbs in spring if you live in a colder climate. You’ll see blooms in early summer. Dig the plants and store them in paper sacks during the winter.
Alternatively, grow plant turquoise ixia bulbs in small containers measuring about 6 inches in diameter. Fill the containers with a well-drained potting medium, such as one part potting mix and two parts coarse sand. Allow about 1 to 1 ½ inches between bulbs, with the same distance between the bulbs and the edge of the pot. Bring the pots indoors before temperatures drop below about 28 degrees F. (-2 C.).
You can also grow turquoise ixia plants as annuals, and plant new bulbs every spring.
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| source pic: natureshare.org.au |
