Bobartia indica
| Bobartia indica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 0.5' |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Bobartia indica
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest that the seed is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed in early spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow on the plants in the greenhouse for at least the first winter planting them out in late spring.
Division in autumn[1].
Cultivation: Requires a very sunny position and a gritty soil[1][2][3]. Plants prefer a moist winter followed by a dry summer[4].
Plants require protection from severe frosts (below about -5°c) and excessive rain, but they are otherwise hardy in Britain[1][5].
Individual flowers are about 5cm in diameter and only live for one day[4].
The rhizomes establish themselves very deeply in the soil[2].
Range: S. Africa
Habitat: Sandy mountain slopes and flats below 500 metres in the south-western Cape[3][4].
Usage: The tough, rush-like leaves are used in basket making[6][7].
Soil: Can grow in light soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: B. spathacea
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Innes, Clive. The World of Iridaceae. Holly Gate, 1985.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.