I've found Ixia viridiflora to be quite easy and not at all short lived, given that it receives proper care. Having lived in both truly coastal and inland climates, I have experience with this species in areas that rarely exceed 75 degrees in summer, and areas that routinely get up into the low 100's/high 90's. I forgot I had posted about growing this species before, but re-reading that 3 years later I agree even more. Summer water has not proven helpful for me, and may even be detrimental. The only mature bulbs I have lost have remained too damp for too long into dormancy. Those that have had a completely dry and hot dormancy rarely perish, and have lived for years and years regularly producing offsets and flowering. That said, my best performance has been in large 7 gallon plastic pots that have a longer and slower drying off period once water is withheld in late May/June (Southern Oregon), but then I've seen great performance in smaller containers as well. By the time growth resumes in September/October the soil is bone dry, and I have excellent performance doing this. If you were growing in terra cotta pots you might consider watering once or twice in summer, but I really do not think this is necessary. The single biggest factor for bulbs re-emerging in fall and flowering in spring is a hot dormancy period (or at least warmer). Ixia, as well as many other South Africans, really struggle to re-emerge without that summer heat during dormancy. In short - this species wants sharply draining soil, full sun, lots of water during growth and a hot, dry summer dormancy. Mary Sue has previously discussed the difficulty of growing some other bulbs in her coastal climate, such as Lapeirousia oreogena - which literally shows up as a weed in pots here. Biggest difference is I get a very hot and dry dormancy period. I don't think the importance of summer heat can be exaggerated. Even if for you that means moving dormant pots to a warmer attic in summer, it will help. *Ixia viridiflora* Soil - Typical bulb mix (although this species can take higher amounts of organic matter than others) of equal parts pumice, sand and potting soil (I use Fox Farms Happy Frog) Water - Ample water fall through spring (usually water once deeply as temperatures start to drop in late September, then resume regular watering once I see growth emerge, continuing through late May/June once foliage begins to wither/seed is collected) Light - Full sun (part shade in early fall and late spring in hot climates, but still full sun in winter) Planting Depth - Around 3" Temperature (current location)- average 45-60 daytime in winter, nighttime lows in the low-mid 30's-40's. Has proven hardy to down to 16F for short and irregular periods (with frost blanket). I wouldn't want to try growing this unprotected outdoors in colder climates than 8b, I think i'm on the lower end cusp. Dormancy - June through September. In hot climates move pots into shade (full sun will cook bulbs), but don't stack pots as that can retain too much moisture for too long. In cooler climates that don't exceed 85F in summer, move bulbs to an attic or as warm a location as possible. Colin Zone 8b Southern Oregon On Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 9:10 AM Mary Sue Ittner via pbs < pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > This plant has been discussed many times on this list. Most people have > been unable to get it to flower from year to year and it sounds like the > source of Uli's seed mentioned this. I've grown other South African > Irids that take a few years from seed to flower and then I might see > them only again one or two times. I've grown it and lost it numerous > times. Interestingly if you look through some of the recommendations > from the archives, you'll get both dry in summer and moisture in summer. > So some of you who have flowering this year might want to split up your > corms and try it both ways. On the other hand some reported it didn't > like to be disturbed so maybe not. Some grew it in pure sand. In the > ground led to losses by most, but success by a few including one from > summer rainfall higher elevation South Africa. On the other hand there > is an interesting post from Colin Davis: > > https://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/… > who says it needs a hot dormancy and didn't think extra moisture helped. > Reading the archive suggestions is interesting, but afterwards you are > still left trying to figure out what might work where you live. > > Mary Sue > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>