Dietes iridioides, Shade Dietes, Cape Iris, Fortnight Lily, Butterfly flower, 25-100 seeds July 2024

Growing Dietes iridioides

Common Names: Shade Dietes, Cape Iris, Fortnight Lily, Ster Wilde Iris (Afrikaans), Indawo yehlathi (Zulu)

Dietes iridioides is a hardy, evergreen, clump-forming plant with strap-like leaves that grow in a circular or star-shaped pattern. In spring and summer, it produces stunning white flowers resembling Iris blooms, accented with purple markings. These flowers close by midday, except on cloudy days, and attract bees and other insects.

Do not trim the flowering stems until all blooms have faded, as flowers develop successively along the stem. Young plants will also emerge from these stems.

This plant thrives in deep shade but prefers semi-shade, although it can tolerate sunny conditions. It grows well beneath trees and benefits from regular mulching with compost or wood chips.

Size: 30 to 40 cm

The flowers attract bees and various insects.

Ideal for planting under deciduous trees and as part of a forest garden understory. Suitable for containers as well.

Distribution.
Found in Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.

Natural Habitat. Prefers evergreen forests and bush clearings.

Growing Dietes iridioides from seeds

While seeds can be sown throughout much of the year in various regions, it's generally best to sow them in spring or autumn, avoiding the coldest and hottest months. The ideal temperature for germination ranges from 15 to 20°C.

Seeds tend to germinate easily, but they have a hard outer shell that prevents water absorption. As a result, germination typically won't occur unless the seed is scarified through abrasion or treated with boiling water beforehand.

Pre-treatment:
- Soak them overnight in water.
- Sow them on the surface and cover lightly, avoiding deep burial since they need some light for germination.
- Water gently with a fine mist to prevent disturbing the seeds.
- Place the seeds in a warm, shaded, or semi-shaded area to prevent drying out.
- Maintain a warm and moist environment, ensuring the growing medium does not dry out or become waterlogged.

Germination is expected to happen within 18 to 21 days at 15-20°C.

It's important to note that seeds from many species may be dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment to germinate. Be patient and don’t rush to discard seeds that do not germinate right away, as they may remain dormant until conditions meet their natural requirements. Often, containers set aside will yield surprises long after being neglected.