Dietes GRANDIFLORA

Dietes GRANDIFLORA - Large wild iris, Fairy iris, Dietes grandiflora, African iris.

Dietes is a genus of evergreen rhizomatous perennials in the family Iridaceae, comprising just 6 species natively distributed in Southern and Central Africa, and on the Australian Lord Howe Island. Several species have successfully naturalized in other parts of the world.

They grow in shady, misty coastal forests on forest leaf litter, on steep shaded slopes, and on forest margins.

The plants possess basal, erect, linear, sword-shaped, leathery leaves. Branched stems bear sequentially arranged, flat, individual, short-lived, iris-like flowers. Flowers bloom on stems up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in height.

Not all species bloom profusely and showily, but they have attractive foliage. Some species grow successfully even in deep shade.

Large wild iris is a perennial rhizomatous plant with stiff, long, sword-shaped green leaves. The flowers are large, white, with yellow nectar guides on the outer tepals and beard, and pale violet style branches and stigma crests. There are dark streaks on the upper tepal lobes. Flowers last for three days. It blooms profusely in summer, especially after rain.

The fruits are capsules 5 cm (2 in) long containing dark brown seeds that are dispersed when the capsules dry, crack open, and their valves part.

Seeds of many species and cultivars require freezing for germination, which is why they are sown before winter into the ground or into boxes under the snow. Seedlings appear in the spring of the following year. Grown seedlings are transplanted into prepared beds, and with good care they bloom the following year. The first flowering is usually weak, so selection among flowering seedlings is best conducted in the second year of bloom. Seeds can be stored in the refrigerator until planting time.

Sowing in spring or summer is also possible. In this case, the sowings must be kept in a warm location and monitored to ensure the soil always remains moist. Due to the very hard seed coat, germination may take up to 4 years.

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Dietes grows well in both full sun and shade. Garden cultivation is possible only in regions with a warm climate, although the plant is frost-tolerant. It grows well in deep shade beneath garden trees, as well as under partially shaded conditions.

Permeable soil ensures fast and healthy growth for the plant. Fertile, loamy, well-drained soil is preferred. Regular, timely watering in the required amount is necessary. The plant is able to withstand brief periods of summer drought, provided it grows in the shade.

It is usually propagated by division of the clump. This is done in late autumn or early spring. Divisions must be planted immediately. Clumps no younger than 5-6 years of age are divided.

Flowering occurs in spring and summer, or in autumn and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Despite flowering extending over a long period, catching the moment when the flowers are open is not easy, because they open late in the day and fade and disappear by early evening. The lifespan of a single flower is just a few hours.