Neomarica

These are tender, herbaceous, perennial plants that belong to the Iris family. They grow wild in tropical America. They have plump rhizomes from which arise sword-shaped leaves that are 1 to 2 feet long and 1� to 2 inches wide. The flowers, which do not last very long, are blue, white or yellow and are produced in clusters at the ends of flat leaf like stalks. Their three outer petals spread out almost horizontally and they are broader at the ends than at the bases. They are 1-2 inches long. The three central petals are shorter and shaped like a fiddle.

Pot Cultivation

These plants may be grown in a greenhouse having a minimum winter temperature of 60 degrees or in a sunny window. A mixture of equal parts of loam and leaf mold with an addition of sand makes the best compost to use for these plants. Potting should be done in February or March. Plants that are in pots should be taken out and all the compost should be cleaned from the roots. They are then separated into several pieces; the strong, healthy pieces are kept for repotting and the rest are discarded. Plant three pieces to a 7- or 8-inch well-drained pot. Until new roots have formed, water carefully, after which the soil may be kept moist until autumn when it is gradually reduced; just enough is given to prevent the rhizomes from drying up. Established plants will benefit from liquid fertilizer being applied once in a while.

Propagation

This is achieved by division at potting or planting time.

N. gracilis

VARIETIES

• N. caerulea;
• N. gracilis;