Neomarika belongs to the family of iris irisaceae. The plant originally grew in the subtropics of Latin America, now it is one of 15 representatives of a kind that can be found on the windowsill.
Variety of plant names
Well, really, they say that the new is the well-forgotten old! A rare Brazilian plant of marika, home care for which today causes a lot of questions for owners, was a very common flower in the second half of the last century, and it could be seen in almost any institution. Canteens, school classes, hospital corridors - these are the places where the neomarika grew quite successfully.
And the name underwent a change: known as the sea, then marika, and now it is called neomarika. Obviously, “neo”, as a supplement, explains the origin of the plant, pointing to the “New World”, that is, America. But popularly, this plant is known under other names:
• "Apostolic plant." According to legend, it begins to bloom when it releases 12 (according to the number of apostles) leaves that gently frame a pale lilac flower.
• "Walking or crawling iris." Children, located at the ends of the leaves under their own weight, fall to the ground and take root. Due to the movement in this way, the neomarik - the walking iris - got its name.
• "Paw of the devil." Spreading greens in the form of fans with pointed leaves up to 80 cm long with daughter
hands on each gives the impression of a
shaggy paw.
Plant description
In home collections, neomarica is more slender. The flower is distinguished by xiphoid leaves, the length of which reaches 1 m with a width of 6 cm.
A flower-bearing arrow up to 1.5 m long brings out flowers that in an open form resemble traditional irises that bloom for only one day and give others a striking aroma. On each peduncle up to 10-12 flowers up to 10 cm in size bloom one after another. Each of them has one day, so that others can enjoy their view.
On a dried formation is a daughter shoot, which then takes root in the soil, allowing the plant to "move". It is this feature that was noted in one of the variants of the name of the flower. Walking neomarika (photo of which is presented in the article) will decorate the interior of any room.
Landing, soil features
To please the eye of a neomarik, home care should be appropriate. Knowing the original principle of flower propagation, it is necessary to take care of the planting. Small roots allow you to choose a shallow, but voluminous wide flowerpot, convenient for the creeping root system of the plant, preferably made of ceramic.
In order for the neomarika to grow well, care of special complexity is not required, but watering should be plentiful, therefore a good drainage layer is required. The bottom is covered with chipped bricks, clay shards, expanded clay granules, pieces of polystyrene foam - all that is at hand.
The composition of the soil for planting is selected in equal proportions of peat, sand and greenhouse land. This composition provides a loose soil, ideal for the nutritional composition of the plant. Coniferous mulch is poured on top so that the soil mixture does not dry out.
Favorable conditions
In care, much depends on what the owner expects of the plant: luxurious greenery or lush flowering? After all, it is not only the original flowering that attracts neomarik florists. The care at home, organized in the right way, allows you to grow a green fan, which will become an indispensable background for decorating the space. Therefore, you should clearly know what we want to get from the flower of the apostles, and already on this basis, the appropriate conditions created by the plant will be adjusted.
Features of watering
Named after the river nymph Marika, the plant is not in vain.
Neomarika (photo for review provided in the article) - the flower is unpretentious, but loves moisture. In summer, iris requires abundant watering, which in the autumn-winter period is reduced by drying an earthen lump under the plant. Soft irrigation water is used for irrigation, rainwater is perfect. Twice a month, several drops of lemon juice or crystals of citric acid are added during watering to avoid alkalization of the earth. After flowering, the plant needs a two-week rest, watering during this period stops.
Humidity is maintained at an average level in the heat by spraying, and the heating season with a periodic shower for the plant.
Lighting and temperature
Windows are selected to the west and east - it is on them that the neo-Maric will feel good. Home care, providing the plant with soft light, will favorably affect the appearance of the flower. He will not suffer overheating, so it is worth protecting the flowerpot from the scorching sunlight, but the room should be bright. In winter (October - February) he just needs some coolness. The flowerpot can be moved to the glass on the windowsill or moved to a bright room with an ideal temperature of 10 C for it, for which the plant will respond with grateful flowering in the spring.
Fertilizers and transplantation
Growing in the wild on poor soils in the mountains of Brazil, neomarica tolerates adverse environmental conditions. Home care (photos of beautiful flowers beckon to have the same miracle) allows feeding.
Fertilizer is applied in the period from May to July, during the flowering period. The plant loves top dressing, it is applied twice a month, which stimulates the growth of abundant greens in a flowerpot. This option is ideal to grow a luxurious “peacock tail” or “devil's paw” in a short period of time.
Fertilizer for orchids is suitable
for this.With improper care, the apostolic flower can be affected by a spider mite.
If the apostolic flower is "planted on a diet," cutting back on feeding and watering, you can get a neat ampelous plant without lush greenery. It is necessary to transplant a young plant every year in the spring, and adult specimens after 2-3 years, depending on the growth of the iris.
A flower that can decorate the interior both independently and become a lush green background for other plants is unpretentious, but can thank the beauty and fragrance of the original buds that will delight the eye and heart with their flowering. Get a walking iris in your house - you won’t regret it!