Iridodictium (Iridodictyum) is a perennial bulbous plant belonging to the Iris family. In this regard, earlier the flower was called iris - snowdrop or reticulated iris. The area of growth of culture is the mountains of Central Asia and the Caucasus. But due to its unpretentiousness, iridodictium can grow in other places. The genus is small in number, it has only 11 species. The flower itself is a primrose, and pleases with its birth in early spring, when the earth is still covered with snow.
Description of the plant iridodictium
The rounded bulbs are small and reach a diameter of about 2 cm. The outer layer is decorated with scales. The bulb produces only one flower of beautiful delicate shades, sometimes with stripes or spots. Moreover, the petals are endowed with yellow beards in the form of hairs. The leaves are narrow, elongated, sometimes stretching up to 15 cm.
Planting and caring for iridodictium in the open field
The time for planting iridodictium should be determined depending on the region. If these are southern territories, you should choose the end of September. The northern regions, where the climate is cold or temperate, are planted in early autumn.
Location and lighting
The site for good growth of iridodictium must be well lit.
The soil
It is better to choose the soil for planting a flower without stagnant moisture in order to avoid specific diseases of the root system. The primer is either neutral or slightly alkaline.
Watering
The iridodictium flower does not like moist soil. It is enough to water it only during dry periods.
Subcultures and fertilizers
Top dressing is carried out once in the summer, when the leaves are still green. For these purposes, they use complex mineral fertilizers.
Transfer
Within 5 years, the iridodictium plant does not need a pick.
Storing the bulbs
In rainy summer, it is advisable to dig up the bulbs after flowering and store them in a dry room until October. Then plant it in the ground to a depth of no more than 6 cm.
Wintering
The flower tolerates frosts well down to minus 10 degrees. In a particularly cold winter, the iris should be covered with spruce branches, dry leaves, and humus.
Reproduction of iridodictium
Bulb propagation
One of the more popular breeding methods for iridodictium is by growing daughter bulbs. They appear at 4-5 years of age. There are 2-3 daughter heads per adult bulb. After flowering, when the leaves turn yellow, the onions are dug up and stored until September. If the children are very small, then when they are transferred into the ground, they are not very deeply buried and are grown for 3 years.
When planting large individuals, they are placed 8 cm deep into the soil. If there are small specimens, 4 cm is enough for them. A good effect can be achieved by planting the onions in groups, at a distance of up to 10 cm between them.
Reproductionseeds
They are sown in the ground in autumn, shoots sprout in spring. Flowering will begin after 3 years. Planting is carried out in holes 1.5-2 cm deep.The distance between the rows is more than 20 cm.The gap between the seedlings is about 4 cm.
When sprouts appear, the beds are weeded, weak and diseased seedlings are removed. After such treatment, the gap between the seedlings should remain at least 7-8 cm. The grown plants are planted, observing the distance between them 22-25 cm, and after 2-3 years of growth, they are transferred to a permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Fungus and associated infections are possible due to the large amount of moisture in the soil. Outwardly, the disease looks like a change in the color of the onion to an ink shade. Professionals recommend removing them from the site and destroying them. Then the soil should be treated with a fungicide.
For the prevention of fungal diseases, it is necessary to comply with all plant growing technologies, spray the ground with antifungal drugs of a wide spectrum of action.
Iridodictium in landscape design
For a long time, the iridodictium flower has been planted on flower beds and lawns. Many varieties exude a wonderful aroma, giving the iris even more charm. A special effect can be achieved if crocuses, hyacinths or primrose are planted nearby. Bright beautiful flowers peep out from under the snow early, delighting those around with the arrival of spring. Sometimes the plant is grown in pots.
Today the iridodictium flower is an invariable attribute of the alpine hills. An excellent view will open to the eye of the observer if the iris is planted on the southern side of the stones, and not in separate bushes, but in whole groups, resembling asymmetric clearings.
Types and varieties of iridodictium with photos and names
Net iris -strikes with the color of its inflorescences and their size. Blue and purple tones look good when decorating garden plots. And the size of the inflorescences, up to 7 cm in diameter, attract the attention of lovers of ornamental plants.
Several varieties have been cultivated, such as Claretta, Natasha, Violet, Joyce and many others, which have preserved the properties of the progenitor and multiplied them.
Dunford's Iridodictium - the perianth is distinguished by an unusual shape, reminiscent of a glass. The outer lobe is usually yellow-green in color, while on the inner side you can see a bright double stripe of greenish tone.
Iridodictium Vinogradov - is rare. Large perianth, 8 cm in diameter, covered with light green paint. The core of the flower is bright yellow, and on the petals corrugated along the edges there are spots and dots of dark tones.
Kolpakovsky's Iridodictium -the species is rare and threatened with extinction. The leaves of the plant are about 14 cm long, the perianth reaches 6 cm in diameter. The inner lobes of a pale blue tone are arranged vertically. The outer parts are unfolded, turquoise in color with small dots and a gray stripe in the middle. The beard is rich yellow with a purple tongue.
