Gladiolus dalenii aka Maid Of The Mist

Taxonomy

Gladiolus dalenii is a widely distributed species of flowering plant in the iris family Iridaceae. It can be found in eastern South Africa, Madagascar, tropical Africa, and western Arabia. This species is known for its role as the main parental species of the large flowering grandiflora hybrids. It is unique in its genus as it includes diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid races. The resulting hybrids are often tetraploids. The plant produces five tall flower spikes with yellow to scarlet flowers, which are often streaked red over a yellow ground color and have a yellow throat. It thrives in a light sandy neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7. A sunny sheltered position and a stony gritty loam are also preferred by this species. The plant itself is a cormous, clump-forming perennial that can grow up to 1.2m tall. It has narrow, grey-green leaves and its flower spikes bear up to 14 hooded flowers, each measuring 8-12cm long. The flower color can vary, ranging from mottled orange to orange-yellow or red with yellow throats, and the petals are often flecked or streaked with red.

Common names

Maid Of The Mist, Dragon's Head Lily, Natal Lily

How to care for Maid Of The Mist

Difficulty

Maid Of The Mist requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Maid Of The Mist should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Maid Of The Mist loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Maid Of The Mist requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Maid Of The Mist will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Maid Of The Mist to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The Maid Of The Mist should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Maid Of The Mist’s native range is S. Africa.


More info:
Wikipedia