Ixia is a herbaceous perennial native to South Africa, which includes about 60 species. Its name, which literally translates from Greek as “bird glue,” is due to the stickiness of the juice, which is able to adhere insects and small birds. Due to its external characteristics, the flower has been grown as a decorative flower since the mid-18th century. Currently, most representatives of ixia are hybrid, while species are very rare.
Ixia flower description
The perennial of the Iris family can reach a height of 0.6 m. Inflorescences resembling spikelets in their shape are formed by small flowers that exude a characteristic aroma. On a thin stem oblong green leaves grow.
A single sample has an external resemblance to bell-shaped, however, it is composed of 6 petals. The corm is represented by a wide palette of shades. One inflorescence may include yellow, white and red colors.
Ixia begins to bloom in the middle of summer, and finishes only after a month. You can see the plant open only in sunny weather, because in cloudy weather, as well as at night, it closes.
Types and varieties of ixia
Planting different varieties on the site will give contrast and brightness to any garden, but you can limit yourself to using one species.
Pleasant
It is highly appreciated for its decorative qualities, in particular for its unique arched petals. The stem grows to 0.7 m in height, and its top is decorated with odorous flowers - a favorite place for butterflies in the summer.
Greenflower
The perennial appearance is notable for the shape of its flowers - they are small, flat, in shape resemble a star. The pharynx, represented by dark shades, stands out against the rest of the green and turquoise petals.
Hybrid
The size of the stem varies greatly depending on the variety.
The color scheme of inflorescences covers many shades - blue, yellow and red.
| Grade | Flowers |
| Blue bird | Blue, white. |
| Castor | Reds. |
| Jain | White and cream. |
| Airlie Sepraise | White and red. |
| Hogarth | Cream. |
| Hollands Glory and Market | Yellow. |
| Mabel | Carmine red. |
| Volcano | Fiery shade. |
| Rose imperor | Pale pink. |
Spotted (Maculata)
The species that has received the greatest distribution grows to 0.5 m in height. His pharynx contrasts strongly with the color of the petals. The flower has the ability to close at dusk. Spike inflorescences can reach a cross section of 0.4 cm.
Paniculate
The pharynx and petals are represented by multi-colored gentle tones.
Orange
Dwarf species (no more than 20 cm). An unpretentious culture can develop safely, even if you deprive it of care, subject to regular rainfall. A fast-spreading variety is able to displace cereals. For decorative purposes it is used to decorate an alpine hill. The pharynx of a dark color contrasts with saturated orange petals.
Monadelph
It is notable for the elongated shape of cirrus leaves, reaching a length of 20 cm. Inflorescences are formed from 10-15 purple flowers. The yellowish core is framed by large petals of light shades. Flowering is characterized by special splendor, during which it also does not require special care. There are inflorescences of pink, red and many other colors.
Mix
Includes the greatest color diversity among all other species. Lush flowering is rapid and usually ends after 3 weeks. Multi-colored ixia does not grow above 0.5 m in height.
Ixia planting in open ground
The fundamental condition for the successful cultivation of ixia is the correct location and fertility of the soil on the site, since the plant is unpretentious planting and care will not bring much trouble to the owner.
Location
It is necessary to provide the plant with an open, well-lit place, protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts, which can break or bend the stem in tall varieties. A shadow or partial shade is undesirable for ixia, otherwise not only the splendor of its flowering, but also the rate of initial development may be disturbed.
Soil composition, fertilizer
Ground requirements:
- Fertility;
- The presence of drainage (can be made using broken brick, expanded clay or crushed stone).
On the eve of planting, top dressing is recommended, for which rotted manure is perfect. Clay soil should be diluted with river sand at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 m2. It is desirable that the fertilizer contains superphosphate, magnesium and wood ash in a ratio of 2: 1: 10.
Corms planting time
In warm regions, it is permissible to plant ixia in spring and autumn, however, such a landing will require additional warming measures, for example, by increasing the depth of the hole by several centimeters. In other areas, it is preferable to plant in late spring.
Landing procedure
On the eve of planting tubers, namely, 2-3 weeks before placement in the open ground, it is necessary to begin the procedures of "awakening" and germination. The most favorable time for the procedure is mid-spring, due to the thermophilicity of ixia (air temperature should not fall below +8 ° C).
Already mature tubers should be pre-disinfected - soaking in a weakly concentrated solution of manganese. The duration of the procedure should not exceed 20 minutes, and after it, the material should be washed. Soaking is a preventive measure that prevents the development of fungal diseases. Then you can begin the procedure of germination, which is carried out as follows:
- It is necessary to prepare a shallow spacious container made of wood and fill it with sand or sawdust. Recommended layer thickness - 10 cm;
- Tightly fit inside the tubers relative to each other;
- Cover the container with polyethylene;
- Leave on a windowsill at a warm temperature;
- The container must be ventilated because condensation will build up on the makeshift lid. Do not delay the procedure for longer than 10 minutes.
After about 15 days, the sprouts should already “hatch”. All not sprouted bulbs must be removed, the rest should be planted in open ground at the end of the spring period.
Landing involves several simple steps:
- Digging holes 7 cm in depth, while remembering that the required distance between the pits is 10-20 cm;
- The placement in the pit tubers;
- Sprinkle with a little mulch.
It is necessary to refrain from wetting ixia immediately after planting, it will be needed only after 15-20 days. A characteristic signal for irrigation will be the appearance of small shoots.
Ixia breeding
It is produced by cutting the corms with a sharp knife. Each individual part should contain a peephole and a bottom with primordia. Before planting, it is worthwhile to process the cuts. To do this, ash or crushed coal is suitable. In the same season, plants will have flowers.
Propagation by separation of daughter corms is also in use, but their flowering should wait 2-3 years. In the summer, an adult plant has small bulbs, among which the most healthy ones should be selected.
Then you need to remove the daughter tubers for storage in a cool room. For the greatest comfort, you should sprinkle the bulbs with wood ash. With the beginning of spring, it is already possible to plant tubers in open ground, and with the onset of autumn, it can again be put away for storage. After 2 years, the plant will be able to bloom.
Seed propagation
The advantage of seed propagation is the ability to preserve rare varieties and a large number of young plants to be bred. Such cultivation is second only to the others in the long duration of the process. Sowing seedlings should be done at the end of winter, for this you need:
- By mixing garden soil with crushed peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1 to get the soil for ixia seeds. Then it is necessary to calcine the resulting mixture in the oven, thereby disinfecting it;
- Fill a pre-prepared box with mass;
- Arrange the seeds on top and cover with a thin layer of the prepared mixture, then spray;
- To create a greenhouse effect, it is necessary to cover the container with glass, while the seedlings should be aired every 2-3 days;
- Some of the sprouted sprouts should be removed in order to create a 2 cm distance between young plants;
- When establishing a relatively warm temperature on the street, it is necessary to harden the seedlings, periodically taking it outside the house. It is important to gradually increase the time Ixia is on the street, and in late spring it will already grow safely in open ground.
In the spring, it is necessary to extract the bulb, which will appear in the plant during the first growing season. Wintering should be carried out in a dark, cool room, and in the spring it can be planted in order to grow.
Ixia Care
Necessary conditions for the successful cultivation of ixia:
- The presence of bright sunlight (directly affects the color saturation of inflorescences);
- High air temperature;
- Humidity is above average.
The last condition is achieved by regular spraying. Also, do not forget to weed and loosen the soil and feed it. It is important to get rid of wilted and decayed parts in a timely manner, since their presence can provoke a number of diseases or an invasion of pests.
After the ornamental plant finishes flowering, the peduncles should be removed using a secateurs. This measure will support the neat appearance of ixia, and will also provoke the redirection of the plant forces from the surface to the underground (tubers).
Watering
It is necessary to provide constant watering of ixia immediately after the appearance of the first seedlings. During flowering and the formation of buds, the plant requires a high moisture content, which can be ensured by increasing the amount of watering and its frequency. It is better to use water that is slightly warm and previously settled. In the liquid, you can add stimulants that contribute to the flowering process.
Top dressing
Both mineral and organic fertilizers (nitroammofosk, Kemira Lux, Potassium humate) are useful for ixia. Do not make more often than 1 time in 2 weeks, dilute the mixture should be strictly following the manufacturer's instructions. Begin feeding from the first days of June, and it is necessary to finish after the plant fades.
Diseases and Pests
The plant is practically not susceptible to attack by insect pests and diseases. An excessive moisture level in the soil can provoke the disease. If it is of a regular nature, then the ixia bulbs will be covered with mold.
In rare cases, ixia is attacked by aphids, which is easy to get rid of simply by spraying each bush. The most effective in such cases is a solution of an insecticide, which guarantees long-term protection against repeated attacks. Several treatments with a frequency of 1 time in 30-35 days during the season will be enough.
