Neomerica gracilis is a tropical iris that is native from S. Mexico to Brazil. When the Apostle Plant blooms it is an indicator that spring has arrived in the greenhouse.
Blooming Time: Late Winter-Early Spring Flowers are up to 2 inches across, the outer perianth segment are white with yellow and brown markings, the inner segments are blue. The flower is lightly scented and lasts only one day.
Culture: Neomerica gracilis need intermediate temperatures and a humid environment. They do best in part shade. I grow mine in 40% shade. A suitable compost consists of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 1 part sand. Keep the compost evenly moistened but not saturated. Fertilize weekly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label.
Propagation: Neomerica gracilis are propagated by division or by removal of plantlets that form after flowering.
Neomerica gracilis was featured as Plant of the Week January 21-27, 2000.
Guide to Past Plants-of-the-Week:
Cal's Plant of the Week was provided as a service by the University of Oklahoma Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology and specifically the late Cal Lemke, who used to be OU's botany greenhouse grower and an avid gardener at home as well. If the above links don't work, then try the overview site. You may also like to look at the thumbnail index. ©1998-2012 All rights reserved.