Tigridia pavonia Mexican Tiger Flower Matthew Kispert http://chestofbooks.com/gardening-horticulture/Commercial-Gardening-2/images/Tigridia-pavonia.jpg Taxonomy: Kingdom Plantae – Plants Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class Liliopsida – Monocotyledons Subclass Liliidae Order Liliales Family Iridaceae – Iris family Genus Tigridia Juss. – peacock flower Species Tigridia pavonia http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mC7fD5Giv5s/UCU0r-OKOCI/AAAAAAAABHY/Qi1acxI2-Gg/s1600/Tigridia+small.jpg Geographic Distribution: 30oN o http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpegMod/PIA03377_modest.jpg 15 N Geographic Distribution: North and Central America Guatemala and Mexico Between 15O N and 30O N latitude Pine and oak forests ~2500m above sea level 30oN o http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpegMod/PIA03377_modest.jpg 15 N Taxonomic Description 1 ½ -2 ½ ft tall Sword-shaped plicate leaves 6” Triangular inflorescence 3 large triangular petals 3 smaller fiddle shaped petals Mottled pattern Fibrous root system Basal corm Mid-summer blooms http://hortuscamden.com/images/plants/Tigridia_pavonia_conchiflora.jpg http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2076/cimg5829v.jpg http://bulbiflori.ro/wp-content/uploads/products_img/tigridia_pavonia.jpg http://tcf.bh.cornell.edu/users/jdelaet/8_26_06_2/oeploa410/nDSC_4714.JPG Propagation Methods Predominately propagated veg. via corm division Plant corm after last frost Retrieve corm in fall before first frost Seed propagation also successful Sow seeds indoors early March 21O C with high relative humidity 4-5 weeks to germinate Maintain potted indoors for first year Should flower in second year Market Niche Bulb sales should be prioritized for early to mid spring Height and minimal spread make this a good bedding plant Will compete with other irises Exotic flowers open one at a time daily, mid morning Should be identifiable with lovers of other irises Anticipated Cultural Requirements USDA Zones 8-10 Full sun Will tolerate part shade Sandy well drained soil No PGRs anticipated Bulb pans and beds ideal Potential susceptibility to diseases of other irises None specifically documented at this time Nutrition requirements currently not defined Production Schedule from seed Week 7 Sow in plug tray Week 11-12 Reduce humidity and begin light fertilizer feed Week 16-18 Transplant to 4” pot if seedlings are at least 3” in height Maintain in greenhouse first season until corm develops Transplant into bulb pan Bulbs should be ready to sell by spring the following year Experimental design Mixed opinion on germination requirements Covered/uncovered? Soil-less medium? 144 seeds divided into 4 groups 36 seeds planted in germination mix, uncovered 36 seeds planted in germination mix, covered 36 seeds planted in sand on perlite, uncovered 36 seeds planted in sand on perlite, covered Seeds sown Week 7 Cotyledon emergence during week 12 Seedlings transplant ready? Week 16 Root system still not very developed Experiment results Grow Media Seeds planted Seeds Germinated Germination % Germ mix covered 36 34 94 Germ mix uncovered 36 18 50 Sand covered 36 30 83 Sand uncovered 36 12 33 Total Germination 65% Genetic Improvements? Decrease germination time Develop color specific cultivars Investigate disease, heat, drought resistance .