2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Iridodictium (lat. Iridodictyum) - a beautifully flowering winter-hardy perennial, which is a representative of the Kasatikov family. Translated from Greek, the name of this plant sounds like "netted bulb".
Description
Iridodictium is considered the earliest flower among all bulbous irises. It is a rather miniature plant: the height of this handsome man rarely exceeds ten to fifteen centimeters. Peduncles of iridodictium almost always hide in the ground, and incredibly fragrant flowers of very impressive sizes bloom above the soil surface (their diameter often reaches five to eight centimeters). In this case, each flower rises due to the tubes of the perianth. As for the flowering time, it usually starts as soon as the snow melts, that is, in early spring. Perhaps that is why iridodictium is often called the iris-snowdrop!
Each flower of iridodictium is formed by six perianth lobes, while the outer lobes are located horizontally and are equipped in the middle with a bright orange or yellow stripe turning into a white speck, and the inner lobes are usually narrow, slightly corrugated, rise upward, dividing into a pair of reeds in the upper part, and the color in they are always much more tender than that of the outer lobes. The lifespan of each flower is about a week.
From the genus Iris, these plants were bred only in 1961 - Georgy Ivanovich Rodionenko was puzzled by this question.
Where grows
In natural conditions, iridodictium can be found in the Transcaucasus, as well as in the territory of the Anterior, Minor and Central Asia.
Usage
In landscape design and in decorative floriculture, iridodictium is practically unmatched - it can easily decorate even the most ordinary-looking corner! It looks especially great in rocky gardens (on the south side) and on alpine hills. Iridodictium feels great in the neighborhood of dwarf hosts, shaved and Iberis, in addition, it is able to make extremely picturesque compositions with primroses such as hyacinths, crocuses and primroses.
Growing and caring
Iridodictium should be planted in sunny areas that are reliably protected from the wind. And the soil should be with the addition of sand, well-drained and have a slightly alkaline or neutral reaction.
Spring care for these beauties consists in the timely elimination of weeds, as well as in the systematic loosening of the soil and regular watering (in summer, watering is carried out only in dry weather). But in no case should moisture stagnation be allowed - the plant in this case will be extremely unimportant to develop, in addition, it can get sick and even die. Also, with the onset of spring, iridodictiums are fed with small doses of high-quality mineral fertilizers (and potash as well).
In rainy years, the bulbs of iridodictium can sometimes rot. But this plant can boast of a very impressive winter hardiness - it does not need a winter shelter at all!
Without transplanting, these beauties can easily grow up to six to eight years. And their reproduction usually occurs with the help of daughter bulbs. In this case, the children must be grown by placing them at a shallow depth. Iridodictiums are planted most often in September, in the second half of the month, however, sometimes this is done a little earlier. It is best to plant these plants in groups, keeping a distance of about five to seven centimeters between them.
By the way, it is quite permissible to propagate natural varieties of iridodictium by seeds - they are sown immediately after the latter are harvested. And beautiful plants bloom in this case only after three to four years.
