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Babiana Stricta [ ba - bee - AN - uh , STRIK - tuh ] relate to a mintage of bloom plants in the Iridaceae kinsperson .
develop from Cape Province and South Africa , Babiana stricta is a frost - tender plant known for bringing life to home gardens with its richly colored and fragrant flush .
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It ’s also known by the follow common name :
The species got the name Babiana ( Dutch for baboon ) because baboons were seen eating the corms or base stem of these plants develop in forests and other wild area .
Baboon Flower Care
Size & Growth
Babiana stricta is a bulbotuber or a cormose perennial feature a straight and upright growth traffic pattern .
With its short and stunted growth , a Babiana works reaches an average height of 4 ” – 12 ” in marvelous and spreads no more than 2 ” column inch wide .
It takes more or less one year for this efflorescence tuber to get hold of its maximum height .
Its sleek and slender , vertical stems conduct live gullible leafage consisting of narrow , lance - mould parting .
The leaves measure up to 5 ” in long and have a hairy grain .
Being a deciduous bush , the plant slough its leaves when the flower time is over .
Flowering and Fragrance
Starting from late spring or early summertime , Babiana produces brightly colored fragrant blossom grouped in an inflorescence .
Five to six humble trumpet - shaped flowers measuring about 2 ” inches in diameter originate on each flowering stem .
This leap - flower rhizome comes in a variety of distinctive colors including plants bearing blooms of reddish blue , magenta , deep blue , mauve , purplish - drab and other exchangeable shades .
The petals feature a smooth coat of a single shade , or at clip , are accentuated by stripe of livid .
Some hybrids and cultivars of this plant life create a mix of multicolored efflorescence on the same industrial plant .
The gamboge - like perfume makes these blinding flowers all the more attractive .
Light & Temperature
Baboon stricta is worthy for develop in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10 .
It do well in moderate regions when plant in containers and prevent at 41 ° degree Fahrenheit ( 5 ° C ) during the winter season .
The flora prefers full sun but arise equally well when plant under partial shade .
For better results , flora Baboon Flower in South or West - facing aspects .
Watering and Feeding
Babiana plant need an adequate amount of H2O , especially when it ’s growing during the winter months .
Since it becomes torpid in the summer time of year , H2O demand are reduced .
The industrial plant benefits from periodic feeding of anygeneral - intention fertilizer .
Provide water - soluble plant feed regularly each yr , both before and after the florescence time of year .
sooner three calendar week before blooming time .
Soil & Transplanting
Baboon flowers is suited for a wide stove of mood , but it thrives in sandy and loamy soil type .
The soil must be well - drained , and the pH level must be observe close to 7 as acid or alkaline dirt bear upon the growth of the plant life .
Grooming and Maintenance
When it comes to grooming and maintenance , this plant is truly trouble - free – it requires no pruning at all !
However , to stir maturation , it ’s a good practice to cut the flower bulbs back by a third .
How To Propagate Babiana Stricta
Baboon plant life mature from semen , but propagate by corm is another technique commonly used by gardener who can not look to bring these drab beauties home .
For propagation by seed , the industrial plant require an ideal temperature of 55 ° – 59 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 13 ° – 15 ° C ) .
Baboon Plants Pest or Disease Problems
Babiana stricta is usually resistant to most plebeian garden pests and disease .
However , it is not resistant to cervid and critters and is also susceptible to attack from glasshouse red spider speck .
Baboon Flower is not considered a scourge in terms of invasiveness but is believed to be a potentially invasive plant life coinage .
The thick stem of this plant is a food source for animals such as baboons and has been known to be part of the diet of autochthonic people .
However , it ’s related to Cape Tulip , a highly toxic industrial plant from the same origins .
Since there is not enough proof to establish the edibleness of this plant , do n’t eat up it .
Baboon Flower Uses
give its size of it and stature , Baboon Flower make a fine gain to rock candy gardens .
It look sensational when planted along walkways or used for edging .
Babiana is often used for wall - side borders or grouped with otherperennials in the garden bedto create a capture floral display .
If your USDA zona allows , conflate it with amaryllis , hyacinths , dahlias or crocus for unspoilt results .
