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Ixia - need info on how to grow
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Posted by Temecula z9/19 CA (My Page) on Sun, Feb 15, 04 at 11:31
| I have some ixia bulbs arriving in March and I need a planting plan. I've heard that they want no dry season watering, so how do you incorporate these into your garden beds? My garden normally receives water once a week, then it increases to twice a week, maybe three times during the hottest part of summer. Will the ixia rot under these conditions? Should I grow them in pots and forget about the garden beds? I have tons of babiana, watsonia, crocosmia, ranunculas and glads that don't mind my watering habits. Are the ixia really that particular? Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Ixia - need info on how to grow
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Hi, Temecula,
I live in Berkeley and never had much success with ixia in the ground after the first year. So now I confine ixia to clay pots or the part of my garden that's on a fast-draining west-facing hillside that's mostly rock garden / deer path. I put them pretty much out of reach of the hose. The deer eat them if they notice them.
I too, have the other bulbs you mention and they do fine even though they get more water accidentally because the rest of the garden needs it.
I've always wanted to grow I. viridiflora.
Love that color.
Best,
Joanna |
RE: Ixia - need info on how to grow
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I live in zone 9 in northern california. I have lots of Ixia that do very well. I have them in raised beds with excellent draniage. I even have some of the species that do well too. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Dan |
RE: Ixia - need info on how to grow
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| So long as they have good drainage the Ixias don't mind water over the summer. Do be prepared to sort out the bigger bulbs for growing on if you want a reliable show. (Treat them a bit like Gladiolus.) They also don't mind having part of the day in shade. My mum's green ixias grow under her Magnolia and my blues grow partly under a Rosa rugosa. The common pinks and whites/yellows take their chances in the garden. I find the dark pink ones are most persistant and happily snuggle in amongst other plants. If your Watsonias, babianas and similar are thriving then your Ixias will probably be happy, too. |
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