Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
8/21/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Peacock Orchid Provides Late Season Color
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
Most gardeners share a common trait -- a willingness to try an unfamiliar plant. The temptation to plant something new is nearly impossible to resist when the plants are on sale. I found this week's Reiman's Pick -- peacock orchid -- on the sale rack a few years ago and have planted it every year since then.
While picking up a few items at a home improvement center in early summer, I passed by a display of summer bulbs. I noticed several packages of peacock orchid, a lesser-known summer-blooming bulb, marked half price. After inspecting the package to see if the bulbs were still healthy and determining that I had the right conditions to grow them in my garden, I bought a couple packages to try.
The peacock orchid, Gladiolus callianthus, is also listed in the literature as Acidanthera bicolor. It is a member of the iris family with the characteristic long, narrow, spear-shaped leaves. As its genus name implies, the peacock orchid is related to gladiolus, but requires a longer growing season than gladiolus and blooms later in the summer.
Peacock orchids are planted as small bulb-like
structures known as corms. They are often sold in packages of 25 or more because
they should be planted in
groups of 10 to 25 corms for the greatest visual impact in the garden. Plant
them in a sunny, well-drained location a week or two prior to the average last
spring frost in your area. Dig a hole 3 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate
the number of bulbs you plan to plant. Space the bulbs three to four inches
apart and thoroughly cover with soil and water.
For something different, plant five or six peacock orchid corms in a large
container along with tall-growing annuals. The foliage is 2 feet in height
on the peacock orchid and provides good textural and architectural contrast
in a container and in the garden.
In late July, three-foot tall flower spikes appear. Fragrant, creamy white flowers with reddish-purple eyes open in sequence from the bottom of the spike to the top. They will continue blooming through the frost.
Peacock orchids originated in the mountains of east Africa and are not hardy in our cold Midwest climate. Like gladiolus, they are considered a tropical or tender perennial. Peacock orchid corms need to be dug after the first frost in the fall and stored indoors through the winter. After frost kills the foliage, cut it back to about four inches above the soil and dig the clump with a garden fork. Set the plants in a dry, shady area for two weeks or more for the bulbs to cure and dry. The foliage will become dry and you will be able to twist it off the top of the corm. The corms survive the winter very well when stored in boxes of dry peat moss or vermiculite in a cool location, between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can see peacock orchids blooming in the walled, tropical garden at Reiman Gardens. This beautiful, almost secret, garden is located south of the Hunziker House in the Town and Country Garden.
To learn more about the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University visit us on the Web at: http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/.
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Editors: Two color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 228K and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 216K. Caption: Peacock Orchid 1 |
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| Caption: Peacock Orchid 2 |
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