Growing Ixia
The perennial herb Ixia is extremely rare in temperate latitudes, since it does not tolerate frost well and dies even at minimum negative temperatures (-1 ° C). But gardeners have found a way out, because the flower is so magnificent in appearance and unusual that it is able to decorate and completely transform the backyard.
The corms of Ixia are simply dug out long before the start of the cold snap, in the month of August, as soon as the long xiphoid leaves of the plant turn yellow. Until spring, they are stored in a cool and dry room, and with the onset of a thaw, they are planted in the soil to a depth of 5-6 cm.
Growing Ixia
As it grows, the root of the flower forms a "nest" with young baby bulbs. They are used to obtain a "new generation" of Ixia, but sometimes the corm itself is cut into several parts so that each of them has a formed leaf bud and root buds. After that, the sections are smeared with crushed charcoal and the pieces are planted in highly nutritious and well-drained soil. The soil substrate should contain sod, peat and coarse sand, and the optimal pH values will be neutral numbers.
In the period after planting and before the first green shoots appear, the plant needs moderate watering, then, until the end of flowering, the irrigation frequency is increased. Ixia needs sunshine and high humidity because it is adapted to tropical climates. An ideal place to grow for her will be areas away from trees and open lawns.
In our climate, the cultivation of Ixia is often carried out in a greenhouse, but this is mainly done by entrepreneurs for the subsequent sale of bouquets with branches of this exotic flower.