Watsonia plant

How to grow Watsonia plant – growing and care:

Moist soil, fertilize in the spring

What is the best way to start growing?
Plant /Bulbs (possible to take out the bulbs from the soil outside of the hardiness zone 8-10) / Seed (explanation bellow) / Vegetative reproduction

Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
No

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Can cause skin problems

Planting season:
Spring to summer in hardiness zone 8-10a in colder climate only in the spring, in hardiness zone 10b in autumn to winter and in hardiness zone 11 only in the autumn, only in hardiness zone 8-10 the bulb stay all the year in the soil

When to plant the bulbs:
Spring in hardiness zone 8-10a in colder climate also in the spring, in hardiness zone 10b in autumn and in hardiness zone 11 also in the autumn, only in hardiness zone 8-10 the bulb stay all the year in the soil.

Pests and diseases:
?

Pruning season:
Winter

How to prune:
Dead leaves

Size of the plant:
0.3-2m, 12-80 inches

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / Medium growing

Water requirement:
Average amount of water / Big amount of water (don’t let it dry)

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full sun

Is it possible to grow as houseplant?
No

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes, when growing in container the plant (with one bulb can grow in 5L (1.3 gallon), well-drained soil and better to use potting mix or something similar, every few need to check the soil that it’s still viable and if not take care of the soil by washing the old soil and put new, but in order to get flowers after a lot years need to check that the roots system not fill all the planter, if it’s full need to reduce that amount of plants or to increase the size of the container

Blooming information

Bloom season?
In hardiness zone 8-10a spring to summer and rarely in autumn (depend the species), in hardiness zone 10b in autumn to winter and rarely in the spring

General information about the flower:
Pink, red, orange, white, yellow, purple or more than one color, flower shape in trumpet shape and grow on stems

How to grow Watsonia plant from seeds

Sowing requirement:
Sunny location with good drainage

Saving seeds and care until sowing:
Dry and dark place, better to keep in in the refrigerate before need enough cold hours at least 6C.

Sowing season:
Spring to summer in hardiness zone 8-11, possible all the year in hardiness zone 12+

How to plant:
Better to plant in vermiculite and keep it moist

Planting spacing:
20*30cm (8*12 inches)

Depth of Sowing:
0.5-1cm (0.25-0.5inches)

Conditions for seeds germinate:
Moist soil with light humidity

Watering requires for Seeds:
Average amount of water, keep soil moist but not over water and don’t let it dry

Germination time:
2-8 weeks

Condition of seedling:
Full sun, regularly water, keep the soil moist

Cultivars

Watsonia tabularis – Leaves are sword-shaped and bright pink-salmon flowers. Grows generally 1.2 to 1.5m (47 to 60 inches) tall.

Watsonia latifolia – Grows generally up to 1.5m (60 inches) tall. Flowers color is red. Leaves are mid-green.

Watsonia pillansii – Leaves are sword-shaped, mid-green. Flowers color is bright orange. Grows generally 0.6 to 1.2m (24 to 48 inches) tall.

Scientific name:

Watsonia