Dietes Grandiflora Seeds – 50 Seeds

African Iris (Dietes grandiflora) seeds. Dietes grandiflora is a genus of rhizomatous plants of the family Iridaceae.  Common names include Fortnight lily, African iris, Morea or Moraea iris, Japanese iris and Butterfly iris, each of which may be used differently in different regions for one or more of the four species within the genus.

This well known indigenous large wild iris is commonly grown in gardens and used in large landscapes throughout the country. It is a perennial, evergreen plant, which grows up to 1.5m in large clumps. It grows naturally along the eastern coastal areas of the southern Cape, Eastern Cape and southern Kwazulu-Natal where it may be found in full sun or partial shade at forest margins, or in the shelter of taller shrubs on exposed slopes facing the sea.

A drought tolerant plant with purple centered white iris flower.  This is a popular, easy-to-grow garden plant which will grow under most conditions.

Common names: large wild iris, fairy iris (Eng.); groot wilde-iris (Afr); isiqungasehlati (Z)

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Growing Dietes grandiflora

Indoor Sowing: Autumn.

Direct Sowing: Autumn.

• It is easy to grow, requiring well-drained soils and sunny or semi-shade conditions.
• Sow the seed in Autumn and germination will then take place in Spring.
• Scarify the seed and then soak seed overnight in water.
• Sow on the surface and cover lightly. Do not bury too deeply as seed requires a degree of light to germinate.
• Water with fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
• Place in a warm shaded or semi shaded position to avoid dying out.
• Keep warm & moist, but not wet.
• Optimum germination temperature is 20°C
• During the spring, a good fertilizer will go a long way in aiding the growth and success of these plants.
• Clumps can be divided manually for easy propagation too. They should be divided before flowering, in the early spring.
• Plants grown from Seeds  will take a few years to flower for the first time.
• The plants are both frost and drought hardy and will grow in either sun or shade. However, for best results and most flowers, plant in full sun or light shade in well composted, well drained soil.
• Water the plant well in summer.