Gladiolus murielae - Peacock Orchid

Family: Iridaceae

Common Name(s): Peacock Orchid

Native to: Africa

Flowering: Late Summer to Autumn

Watering: Water weekly during the growing season

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Grassland, Subtropical

Description

Peacock Orchids are easy to grow in most climatic areas and make a very useful addition as rear colour to all garden borders and island plantings. The corms produce sword shaped leaves and flower stems to 90cm in height. Each stem bears up to 6 – 8 loosely held florets in ranks of 2. These florets are white with distinctive purple spots at the base of their segments and are lightly fragrant. Flowering time is usually late summer to autumn. They are very good as cut flowers for the vase or made up in floral arrangements.

Cultivation

Peacock Orchids can be grown in most soils in climates ranging from sub-tropical, temperate and cool. The main requirement are that they are grown in well-drained and well fertilised soil, receiving either morning/midday sun in hotter climates to all day sun in the cooler regions. In warm areas they can be planted from middle to late winter and in cool areas plant from spring to early summer.

In soils enriched with organic matter supplementary feeding should not be necessary. In poorer soils, mix complete plant food or a balanced 5-2-1 fertilizer through the soil before planting. Corms should then be planted progressively from August to December, thus resulting in a succession of bloom. Plant them 8 to 10 cm deep and 15 cm apart with a preference to plant in clumps for protection from wind.

Water well once after planting and then again when the leaves appear. During growth and flowering, water once weekly. They can be left in the ground for many years, but if grown in cold climates it may be necessary to dig the corms up 4 weeks after flowering and store in a dry, airy place till next planting. Being part of the Gladioli family, they generally need to be protected from Aphids, Thrips and also Botrytis rot in wet weather.