Ixia DUBIA

Ixia DUBIA - Yellow ixia, Doubtful ixia, Ixia dubia.

Ixia is a genus of perennial cormous plants in the Iridaceae family, comprising about 40 species originating from South Africa. Representatives of the genus are widely used in ornamental gardening thanks to bright, star-shaped flowers on tall peduncles.

These plants form dense clumps of narrow linear leaves, from the base of which erect peduncles rise with multi-flowered spike-like inflorescences. Flowers are diverse in coloration - from white and yellow to pink, red, lilac, and purple, often with a contrasting eye in the center.

Doubtful ixia is a cormous plant up to 50-60 cm (19.7-23.6 in) tall with narrow leaves and graceful peduncles. Flowers are about 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter, opening sequentially, with petals of white-pink, lilac, or purple coloration, and a dark spot in the center. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer.

After flowering, three-locular capsules are formed on the plant containing numerous small rounded seeds suitable for propagation. Ixia dubia attracts pollinating insects and can be used both in garden plantings and for cutting.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a loose substrate of equal parts peat, sand, and leaf mold. Sowing is done in spring; seeds are pressed lightly into the surface, moistened with a spray bottle, and covered with film. They are germinated in light, but without direct sun, at a temperature of 18-22 °C (64-72 °F). Regular ventilation and careful watering are required.

Seedlings appear in 15-30 days. The maximum germination period can be greater than 45 days. After the appearance of two true leaves, seedlings are pricked out into separate containers. They begin to flower in the 2nd-3rd year of cultivation.

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Successful cultivation requires a sunny location and loose, drained soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. In shade, plants stretch and flower poorly. Protection from strong winds is required. During active growth, regular watering is carried out, but it is important to avoid water stagnation.

After flowering ends, watering is gradually reduced. When grown in open ground in zones with cold winters, corms are dug up in autumn and stored in a dry cool place until spring. In southern regions, overwintering in the ground under shelter is possible. Fertilizers are applied twice a month during growth and budding.

Corms are replanted every 2-3 years. They are planted to a depth of about 5-8 cm (2.0-3.1 in) at a distance of 10 cm (3.9 in) from each other. It is desirable to plant them in groups to create dense floral patches.