Re: Neomerica

At 11:44 AM 10/5/2005, N Sterman wrote:
I am growing a wonderful relative of iris called Neomerica - it is a very tall (7' so far) strappy plant with deep purple iris-like blooms
on and off from spring through summer.

I have noticed that once the blooms are gone, the flowering stalks develop what look like plantlets at the tips. Are these really plantlets? And if so, can anyone tell me how to harvest and root them?

And if you've not tried this plant, I highly recommend it!
This plant is responsible for turning an otherwise law-abiding citizen (me) down the road of plant thievery! As a young man, I was visiting the famous Botanical Building in Balboa Park, San Diego, with my family. As we strolled this impressive, long, barrel-vaulted lath house, I had to stop at one point because of plant stem with iris-like flowers was leaning out form the bed obstructing my path. Perched on this stem was a perfect iris plantlet complete with roots sticking out into the air. Knowing my budding interest in things horticultural, my siblings and parents felt that this little plant had been waiting for me to come along. Said plantlet seemed almost 'leap' into my hand when I touched it (lending credence to the assertions of my family). Needless to say this Neomarica fragment made it way home with us and grew on for several years, producing its own new plantlets which found their way into various hands over the years. My mother plant finally succumbed to a significant frost and expired. A delightful plant.

Seán O.

h o r t u l u s _ a p t u s - - - - - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara --- sean(at)gimcw.org --- www.hortulusaptus.com
1034A Virginia Street, Berkeley, California 94710-1853, U.S.A.
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