Walking iris
Neomarica gracilis
Caractéristiques de la plante
- Neomarica gracilis : Walking Iris
- Family: Iridaceae
- Origin : Brasil
- Height in its natural environment : 1m
- Hardiness : 0°C
- Colour of the flower : white and purple
Height : about 10 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)
Medium grower
Descriptif de la plante
This indoor iris with its many surnames is the stuff of legends and peculiarities... For some, it's the "Plant of the Apostles", because legend has it that it only flowers after it has produced 12 leaves, like the 12 apostles. For others, "Poor man's orchid", with its compact volume, beautiful fan-shaped leaves and spectacular, fragrant flowers evoking the scent of lily of the valley. Or "Walking Iris", as new seedlings develop at flower level after pollination, this extra weight bending the stem until it touches the ground and allowing new roots to develop. In this way, it develops not only with its rhizome, but also with aerial seedlings, giving it the impression of walking..
Whatever you call it, this Walking Iris, which is much easier to grow than an orchid, will add a graphic and exotic touch to your interiors! Place it in a shady spot…
At Rayon de Serre, we love plants from the Iridaceae family, and have the pleasure to present two other members of that big family; the very hardy Leopard lily, or Belamcanda chinensis, and the spectacular African iris plant, or Dietes bicolor.
Conseils de culture
Growing tips
Repotting
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Watering
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
For an indoor planting
A true houseplant, place it in a warm and bright place, but avoid direct sun.
For an outdoor planting
This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.
Pruning
This plant can not be pruned If you feel that it is becoming too bulky, you can limit its growth by continuing to repot it and change its substrate but without increasing the size of the pot. If the root network becomes too important, do not hesitate to prune the roots.
Fertilizer
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
In case of pest attack
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!
Rayon de Serre's word
Avoid direct sun