Neomerica (Walking Iris)
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Neomerica (Walking Iris)
- From: "* b* c* <b*@atlantic.net>
- Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 20:05:51 -0700 (MST)
I have raised a Neomerica plant for several years. It appears to be
of the same type as the one that can be found on the Cyber Corkboard.
I have found this to be one of the easiest if not the easiest plant to
grow indoors. When I lived in Kentucky, I put it outside in a place that
got direct sun two to four hours per day. (That is, on the few days the sun
actually was out.) I left it outside during the frost-free part of the
year. The rest of the year, it spent in a room with a large south facing
window. As for feeding the plant, I fed it the week between Christmas and
New Years, again in early February, and about every fourth week from when
bloom ceased and late September. That strategy should work for most of the
US. In climates where it has to be overwintered indoors, do not expose the
plant to frost.
Now that I am in Florida, this Walking Iris is still outside. I have
it in a location where it is in direct sun about 5.5 hours per day. It
looks better than ever. When I tried putting one of these plants in full
sun in Kentucky, it almost fried. I think that there are so many cloudy
days in KY that the plant can't harden off properly.
I have not had the Yellow Walking Iris long enough to be as familiar
with it, but it has been easy to grow so far. Culture like the one
described above. The only fault with these plants I know of is that they
might be difficult to find a source for. Even when not blooming,
Neomericas make gorgeous foliage plants.
I have noticed that many here grow Neomerica in their gardens and
leave them there all the time. I am considering trying some in the ground
too.
As for a source, Pine Ridge Gardens in Arkansas has listed Neomerica
in the catalog on occasion. If those of you who are interested in
Neomerica wish, I will post the snail mail address since the owner is not
on line.
Mark A. Cook Fan of Neomerica
billc@atlantic.net
Dunnellon, FL.
