BULBS > IXIA
IN THIS GUIDE
IXIA GUIDES
Ixia is a genus of short - lived perennials that devote us a number of ornamental plant referred to as ‘ African Corn Lilies ’ .
They grow from corms ( sometimes called bulbs ) and might be produce as annuals in the UK or given a protected land site in winter to make it through to subsequent years .
Ixia are South African plants which bloom in an interesting variety show of colours , producing attractive , star - shaped prime .
Overview
PreferredFull sun
ExposureSheltered
Height0.1 – 0.5 M
Spread0.1 – 0.5 M
Bloom TimeJune to July
PreferredSand or clay
MoistureWell - drained
pHAny
They are typically in flower in June and July here in the UK .
The superstar - shaped flowers configuration on wiry stems and make great cut heyday , so they are often used in flowered arrangements and for cut bloom exhibit inside the home – as well as looking salutary in the garden .
Though not necessarily the gentle plant to grow in wetter , cool regions of the UK , they can potentially be a safe choice for the warmest and most arid regions , since these plants apprize strong and comparatively dry conditions .
“ The warm wintertime locations in the UK also incline to be the wettest , such as on the western coasts , ” explains Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .
“ develop in raise bed on slopes and arenaceous soils will help Ixia bulbs survive outdoors in milder regions . ”
Common Varieties
Some Ixia varieties to grow let in :
How To Grow Ixia
Ixia can be grow in the ground when grown as annuals or potentially as perennial in the very soft parts of the UK , where icing are not typically expected .
They can also be grown in containers , which can be a good idea for most growers in the British Isles because it allows for them to be bring indoors or undercover before insensate weather arrive .
The bulb can commence to experience damage when temperatures fall below -2 ° light speed .
wintertime moisture can also be an issue , even sometimes more of an issue than the winter coldness , so they must be protected for wintertime in most country .
container can be moved to a heated orbit indoors or in a greenhouse .
corm left in the primer might also , in milder area , simply be protect with a thick organic mulch in wintertime or you may lift the corms and store them until the next year .
Ixia require to be grown in as warm a location as potential in full sun .
They will not thrive or bloom well in a cooler or more shaded spot and need to be sheltered from the wind and cold breezes .
They can be placed in a location with a south , east or west - face aspect , as long as it is a sheltered and warm spot with full Sunday .
Ideally , Ixia will be place in arenaceous soil that is barren - draining or an equally innocent - draining potting mix in a container .
Drainage is particularly crucial as the corms have a trend to waste if growing circumstance become waterlogged .
Planting Ixia Bulbs
The bulb of Ixia should be establish in a heated greenhouse or indoors , 10 - 15 cm deep and 5 - 8 cm aside , in stool fill with innocent - draining , peat - free potting mix .
A loam - base compostsuch as John Innes no . 2 or a homemade equivalent with add up sharp sand and leaf mold will be ideal .
A location with low-toned to restrained humidity will be arrant for these plants , and remember to make certain they get plenitude of light .
Ixia Care
Meeting the introductory penury of these plant involves cogitate cautiously about how the right environmental conditions can be exert throughout the unlike time of year during the lifecycle of these plants .
Once these plants blossom , it is a well estimation to feed your Ixia every couple of hebdomad or so throughout the respite of the develop season until the foliage begins to pop off back naturally .
apply a potassium - rich , organic , liquid plant feed .
you may , if you wish well , make your own using comfreyor other industrial plant thing that is rich in potassium .
Water only sparingly until flowers seem , then when the flowers bloom , body of water freely and deeply .
It is of import to ensure that excess water can always drain out freely .
Ixia corms can be lifted in fall and stored for the following yr .
While dormant , they should be stored in dry and frost - spare term .
you could also circularise these plants from seed or you could separate offsets that work around mature corms while the plants are in a dormant state in the late summertime .
However , observe that seed - acquire plant will not flower for around 3 years , so patience will be required .
You do not require to deadhead Ixia , but many gardeners will choose to cut the blooms for manipulation as cut flower inside their homes .
It is significant not to cut back the leafage after flowering .
get this pass back naturally so the energy it collects is lay in in the corm for the following year .
Ixia is generally pest and disease - free , so most of the problems that you are likely to run into will be down to the environmental conditions not being quite right or unconventional charge .
In finicky , make certain temperatures do n’t drop too low , ensure waterlogging does not occur and check that that the plants get deal of Dominicus and as much warmth as possible to keep them well-chosen and healthy .
