How to grow gladioli so that they are even?

Simple ways to ensure the stability of gladioli in windy weather, as well as the rules for planting and growing them.

Gladioli

Each grower, when growing his pets, wondered how to plant gladioli so that they do not fall. From this article of the site we plant-garden.rf, you can learn several techniques to help grow smooth gladioli, as well as the basics of proper planting and caring for these flowers.

How to plant gladioli to keep them from falling to the ground

Before planting directly and choosing a variety of gladioli, you need to know the main features about them.

• These plants love moisture very much.
• Gladioli are light-requiring and do not grow well in the shade.
• Gladioli love warmth and die quickly in low temperatures.
• Flowers need fertile soil.

In order for flowers to develop normally and show good flowering, you need to know how to plant gladioli. And you need to start preparing for landing by choosing a place for landing.

Planting bulbs

The place where gladioli are expected to grow should be well-lit by the sun during the daytime. Windy areas should be avoided. Strong gusts of wind are very destructive for adult flowering plants. Due to its nature, the long stem can break easily. It is the choice of calm areas that is the key feature of how to plant gladioli so that they do not fall.

How to plant gladioli

If the plant receives all the conditions for full development, then it will be able to please its owners not only with lush flowering, but also with a healthy look.

Before planting, you need to prepare all the planting material. To do this, there are several preparatory steps.

• The preparation of root tubers for this event takes place a month before the expected planting time.
• All bulbs are removed from storage.
• Each onion is flaked off.
• It is necessary to carefully examine each bulb and select the damaged ones. If only superficial lesions are present, they are trimmed and disinfected.
• Prepared gladioli are transferred to a warm, illuminated place so that direct sunlight does not fall on them.

It is necessary to plant gladioli in the soil after it warms up over 10 degrees Celsius at a depth of more than 15 centimeters. Under normal conditions, this occurs in mid-April. These terms may vary depending on the climatic zone.

Planting gladioli

An important factor in how to plant gladioli so that they do not fall (photo) is the planting depth.The recommended depth is 15 centimeters. Some growers advise lowering the tubers more than 20 centimeters into the soil. In this case, they will be able to root better and will be much more stable.

Note! The negative side of this method is the later emergence of seedlings, as well as the postponement of planting to a later period. It is permissible to use this method only in the southern regions of the country.

There should be a distance of more than 20 centimeters between each flower. Otherwise, the root system will take longer to take root, and the plant itself will receive less nutrients.

As a fertilizer, complex nutrient compounds, humus or compost are introduced into the soil. After that, the planting is sprinkled with earth and thoroughly watered. Further care comes down to standard agricultural techniques - watering, weeding and loosening to ensure sufficient soil aeration.

Care

Now, knowing how to plant gladioli correctly, you need to worry about caring for flowers.

It is known that flowers react very strongly to a lack of moisture in the soil. Therefore, you need to water often and abundantly. With a lack of moisture, flowers develop more slowly and begin to bloom later. During the flowering period, a lot of moisture is required.

Weeding and destruction of weeds should be carried out constantly. In the early stages of plant development, weeding is considered the most urgent.

Loosening the soil after watering helps provide it with oxygen. At the same time, the evaporation of moisture from the soil increases, which will have a bad effect on the development of flowers. To solve both problems, the soil is mulched with sawdust or peat. Mulch prevents rapid evaporation of moisture and the formation of a crust after watering.

Tying flowers

For additional wind resistance, you can use individual supports or stretch nets if the flowers grow in rows.

Collection and storage of bulbs

Remove the bulbs from the soil after flowering stops. This happens by mid-September. For this period, you should plan to dig up gladioli.

• The excavated plants are dried in the sun during the day.
• After the initial drying, the stems are completely cut off.
• The resulting tubers are dried for two weeks in a well-ventilated area.
• The storage of bulbs in winter is carried out at a temperature of 1 - 8 degrees Celsius.

Pruning stems

Now every grower will know how to plant gladioli so that they do not fall (video) and will be able to apply this knowledge to grow the best flowers.

These are some of the brightest representatives of our gardens and flower beds. How to grow gladioli? In order for them to grow on your site, too, the cultivation of gladioli in the open field must be carried out in compliance with certain rules. I will tell you about some of the features, nuances of growing this amazing flower.

The plant begins to bloom around mid-July, and by the first day of autumn, a riot of colors, the splendor of the inflorescences reaches its peak. Gladiolus is called the “flower of teachers” for a reason, because it is by September 1 that it becomes especially in demand - every student in a hurry to give a bouquet to his mentor. This, of course, is the practical side of the issue, but it should be noted that the flower itself is a truly luxurious decoration of any garden, suburban area.

What is gladiolus? Another name for the flower is skewer, it belongs to the iris family, even in some way it looks similar to its relatives. It is a corm perennial with about 5,000 varieties. It is worth noting that individual varieties are gradually degenerating, and new hybrids come in their place. Different varieties look different, require a varied approach: colors, size of flowers, structure of inflorescences, peculiarities of growth, nuances of care - everything has its own characteristics and differences.

Photo of gladioli:

↑ back to contents ↑ Secrets of growing gladioli - 11 rules

Let's look at the important nuances of growing this flower, the so-called eleven unshakable rules:

1. Crop rotation rule - it is highly discouraged to grow gladiolus flowers in one place for more than two years. In the third year, they need to be moved to a new place of residence.
2. When transplanting, it is preferable to choose soil with a different composition. If, for example, your flowers grew on clay soil, it will be better if you transplant them into sandy loam soil.
3. Choose “proven” bulb varieties that are adapted to grow in your area. This flower does not like the difference in climatic zones - if you buy a rare variety from Holland, most likely it will be able to please you with flowering only once.
4. During planting, small bulbs are planted first, and then large ones. There is no need to place adults and children 's bulbs next to them - large tubers will suppress the "children". Especially large specimens are generally best planted separately.
5. Growing gladioli - it is extremely important here to properly deepen the tuber. Look at its diameter, if the soil is light at the planting site, then the "immersion" depth should be about four diameters. If the soil is heavy, then a depth of three diameters will be sufficient. If planting is not deep enough, the plant will have to provide additional support, and if it is too deep, it may not bloom at all.
6. About five days before planting, it is recommended to clean the tubers from coarse husks (for better germination), after planting, water them once every two days.
7. Gladioli are light-loving plants, if you choose a late-flowering variety, then do not plant it in shaded areas. Shade is only suitable for early varieties, but even they can be late blooming.
8. To exclude the occurrence of fungal manifestations, plant the skewer in a ventilated place if possible.
9. If the flowers grow in sandy loam soil, it is recommended to apply top dressing by irrigating the ground part of the plant (leaves).
10. With the onset of summer, gladioli need to be watered once every 5-7 days, but at the same time, moisture saturation should be abundant. If it's hot, then in order to avoid overheating the soil, water the flowers moderately daily (after sunset), while do not forget to loosen the ground and destroy the weeds.
11. Pay special attention to the collection of tubers, the subsequent storage of gladioli in winter should be carried out correctly.

It is very important to choose a comfortable place for planting so that the flower can fully grow and bloom. Gladiolus does not like waterlogged soil, so it cannot be planted in places with a high groundwater table. This rule also applies to low-lying areas, areas where water can stagnate.

↑ back to contents ↑ When to dig up gladioli and how to store it?

After the skewer has completely bloomed (this happens by mid-late September), its upper part is cut off at the root, and the tuber is carefully removed from the ground. For the convenience of the process, the flower can be pre-watered. The bulb is cleared of the ground, thoroughly dried, the tubers of the early varieties are dug out first, and young and medium-sized bulbs are extracted from the ground last.

To prevent the growth of bacteria during storage, the tubers can be pickled in a hot solution of potassium permanganate (about + 60 ° C); for these purposes, the "Fitosporin", "Maxima" agent is also suitable. After 20-25 minutes, the tubers are taken out of the hot bath, dried for about two weeks in a dry and cool place, then wrapped in paper, removed to a cold environment.

Bulbs, photo:

How to store gladioli in the winter at home? For these purposes, a cellar or refrigerator (compartment for storing vegetables) is suitable. In winter, once a month, do not be lazy to take out the bulbs, inspect them, ventilate them.You can put several peeled garlic cloves in a container with tubers - this will create additional protection against diseases during storage. The teeth should be periodically replaced with fresh ones. With the onset of spring, the bulbs can be planted back into the soil, giving new life to a new generation of flowers. Remember that the life span of tubers is 4 years. Do not take too large old bulbs for storage - this is a waste material that is no longer suitable for planting. Small young bulbs will not give a lush bloom, this should also be taken into account.

When to get gladioli from the refrigerator for germination? The best time to awaken the bulbs from their winter sleep is 25-30 days before planting. Inspect each tuber carefully for any rot, parasites, or any damage. Excess husks must be removed, if there is slight damage, cut off, after which it is necessary to etch the planting material again as described above (potassium permanganate, "Maxima", "Fitosporin", "Karbofos"). Places of cuts can be covered with ordinary brilliant green. A dry and light, but not sunny place is perfect for sprouting bulbs, but they need to be spread out on clean paper with the bottom down. 48 hours before planting the bulbs, it is recommended to find an area illuminated by the sun and spread them on a damp cloth (moisten it as it dries) - this way, you will stimulate the growth of root buds.

Bulbs ready for planting, photo:

↑ back to content ↑ How to plant gladioli in the spring

Initially, choose a place for the future flower garden. Skater prefers flat, well-lit areas that are ventilated but not very windy. As mentioned above, early varieties can be planted even in the shade; only sunny areas are suitable for representatives of late varieties. It is very important what vegetables or flowers grew in this place earlier - tomatoes, beans, peas, strawberries, marigolds are quite suitable for the company of a skewer. If carrots, potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables previously grown on the site, for feeding which manure is used, then it is highly not recommended to plant gladioli there. Loamy, sandy loam, slightly acidic soil is the best environment for a skewer.

Gladioli are quite capricious. Planting tubers in too acidic soil will negatively affect flowering, and the risk of Fusarium disease will increase significantly. Alkaline soil will prevent the plant from consuming the required amount of iron from the ground - the leaf will turn yellow (the production of chlorophyll will decrease). The acceptable level of soil acidity for skewers is pH 6.5-6.7. The soil can be independently "diluted" with clay if it is sandy and vice versa. In autumn, a pre-selected place is thoroughly dug up, dry potassium or phosphorus additives are introduced, as well as rotted compost.

Planting gladioli in the spring in the ground is carried out when the ground warms up to +10 ° C, by mid-April / early May. Before planting, you can once again pickle the tubers in a phytosporin solution (about 30 minutes). The depth of the trench is influenced by the size of the bulb (the larger, the deeper), the skewer is planted in groups, adults and young bulbs are planted separately. It is recommended to sprinkle the bottom of the trench with sand, spill it with water, place the tubers at a distance of about 9-15 cm from one another. Instead of sand, you can use sphagnum, it will retain water better and partially stops the development of fungi.

Eleven planting rules for gladioli indicate the subtleties of burying tubers into the soil. After planting, the trench is covered with earth, you can also pre-sprinkle the bulbs with wood ash. Sometimes gardeners recommend not to fill up the tubers completely, but to do this as the flower grows. But I would not recommend doing that. It is possible that you will forget to add soil in time.And heavy rain or excessive watering will contribute to the fact that the germinated bulb in soft soil will lose its support, bend at an angle to the soil surface. It will no longer be possible to straighten, give the shoot a vertical position without fear of breaking off the shoot at the base of the bulb - you will lose the flower, a new shoot is unlikely to grow.

Planting bulbs, photo:

Planting bulbs in rowsPlanting bulbs in meadows

Gladioli - when to plant them and how, we have already figured out, now we will take a closer look at the care itself. The first days of the beds need to be watered every other day, in case of drought, it is recommended to provide plants with daily evening watering, and irrigation of the leaves will not interfere with gladioli. If it rains periodically, then watering every 4 days will be appropriate. Do not pour water into the plant trench, only water the aisle! Thus, the water will optimally moisturize the soil in the root area without oversaturation.

When the sprouts of the skewer reach 10 cm, mulch the soil with humus - it will additionally protect the plant from overheating and evaporation of moisture. Mineral and organic fertilizing are essential for harmonious development and flowering. When the first 2 leaves appear on the sprouts, you can start adding urea or ammonium sulfate to the soil (nitrogen-sulfur dressing). In the presence of 6 leaves, you can begin to make potassium or phosphorus supplements, as well as a little nitrogenous. When buds are forming on the skewer, it is recommended to add phosphorus-potassium supplements - they complete the fertilization cycle.

Gladioli, photo of flowers:

Organic fertilizing is applied during watering along with water (flowers also need to be watered before and after application). For example, poultry droppings should be pre-infused for about 10 days (2 buckets to 4 buckets of water). This solution is diluted with water (1 liter per 10 liters of water) and the plants are fertilized every 2-3 weeks. You should be aware that animal manure should never be used to feed gladioli!

For skewer grown in sandy loam soil, foliar fertilization is especially recommended. Thus, the leaves can be irrigated with a weak solution of boric acid, potassium permanganate or copper sulfate. To these compositions, you can add a small part of the laundry soap, grated on a fine grater. Spraying is carried out about 2-3 times throughout the season, especially during the growth of the flower and during the budding period. Loosening of the soil and weeding should be carried out after watering, because gladiolus loves oxygen, which is actively supplied to the roots after this procedure. Weeding is done once every 7-10 days, as needed.

Some varieties of skewers can reach 170 cm; to prevent the stem from breaking, it is better to secure such tall plants by tying them to a peg. You can also stretch several rows of wire or fishing line around the flower bed if there are a lot of plants. When cutting flowers, you need to leave part of the stem above ground level, at least 4 leaves should remain on it. Gladiolus is the so-called bouquet culture, so that the flower after cutting will stand longer, it should be cut at the stage of blooming of the first 3 or 4 buds. The varieties that show the world 8-10 flowers on a long stem look especially luxurious. If possible, cut off gladioli early in the morning or after sunset, leaving any remaining buds hidden in the foliage.

Gladioli, photo:

↑ back to content ↑ Diseases of gladioli, photos, treatment

To prevent the development of the disease at the root, do not be lazy to make regular inspection of both tubers and flowers growing on the site.

The most dangerous diseases of the skewer are botrytis (gray rot), fusarium, rust, septoria, sclerotinia, scab.

Avoid waterlogging of the root system of plants, carefully inspect them, pay due attention to preventive measures. Preparations "Horus", "Fundazol", "Kadris" give good results when processing gladiolus before the onset of the flowering phase.It is also recommended to treat tubers with fundazole after removing from the ground and before winter storage.

Malignant thrips, bulbous mites, cabbage scoops and slugs love to nest on a skewer and feed on its juices.

Photo of gladioli affected by thrips:

Preparations "Confidorm Maxi", insecticide "Aktara", "Calypso", anti-tick agent "Agrovertin", biological agent "Aktofit", "Balazo" give high performance in the fight against pests.

Like any other beautiful garden representative, this flower requires attention. But gladiolus will definitely reward us with the beauty and lush color of summer colors. Growing in the open field is fraught with some conventions, but it fully justifies the invested effort and time.

The African and Asian continents are considered the birthplace of Gladiolus. You'd be surprised if you find out which flower is called a skewer .. that's right, it's a gladiolus! It is hard to believe that such a noble plant was once just a field weed. The cultivated plant "Gladiolus" appeared in the Middle Ages. Now there are up to 5,000 of its varieties and hybrids, bred specifically for various zones, including those with cool climatic conditions.

When to plant gladioli outdoors?

Gladioli should be planted in the ground when the soil temperature reaches + 10 ° C. This is the month of April-May (depending on the region).

How to prepare gladioli for planting

There are special rules for growing this garden crop. Therefore, some gardeners who do not like to tinker with something for a long time dislike this flower. Although if you follow all the nuances associated with storage, purchase, planting and care, you can get a very good harvest.

The choice of planting material

A gladiolus bulb for planting can be grown by yourself or bought in specialized stores. When buying, first of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the corm. If it is large, flabby, and has wormholes, then this is not the planting material that will bring you pleasure over time and should not be purchased. This is an old onion. When buying, pay attention to small young "kids" who, not this year, but in the next 4 years, will delight you with lush flowering.

Only healthy planting material, without signs of any diseases, can be chosen for planting. In addition, it is necessary to clarify whether this variety of gladiolus is zoned to the region of your residence or not. Otherwise, you can be left without flowers. This is especially true in the northern regions, where cultivation in open ground is associated with certain risks. And the flowering of Dutch bulbs is generally focused on a period of no more than 1 year.

Growing conditions and choice of planting site

To create the best conditions for plant growth, it is necessary to take into account that gladiolus does not like low-lying soils with stagnant moisture. Oversaturation with moisture contributes to rotting of the bulb. Slopes with hummocks will also be unacceptable. Only a flat, dry place, which will not only be well lit, but also protected from the wind, will be suitable for planting gladioli. But you also can't overdo it, since complete calm can contribute to the development of fungal diseases.

Semi-shady places are suitable for growing only early varieties of gladioli... If late flower varieties are planted in such a place, they will not bloom at all. And the reason will lie in the lack of lighting. It should also be borne in mind that this is a very thermophilic flower.

Before planting, remember what kind of crop was cultivated on this plot of land last season. If these were flowers from the genus of dahlias, marigolds or plants from the legume family, strawberries and tomatoes, then feel free to use this piece of land to grow gladioli.Be wary of the area where potatoes, carrots or cabbage grew last season, as well as all those plants that were fertilized with manure. But it is very important that every 2 years the gladiolus is transplanted to a new place.

Preparing the soil for planting gladioli

When to plant gladioli in open ground in spring Planting and care photo

For gladioli, soil structure is very important. Therefore, sandy loam or loamy soil is quite suitable for planting a plant. With a planned transplant of a flower (and this is every 2 years), you also need to change the soil.

• The optimal PH-environment for the soil is slightly acidic, it should be in the range from 6.5 to 6.8. Overly acidic soils negatively affect the flowering of the plant. The appearance of a disease such as fusarium (the fungal nature of which is manifested by yellowness on the leaves, root rot and thinning of the stem) is also associated with increased acidity of the soil.
• The alkaline nature of the soil will cause the leaves to turn yellow due to the slowed-down formation of chlorophyll. This is caused by the intake of an insufficient amount of iron from alkaline soils.

To prepare the ideal soil for the growth of gladioli, it is necessary to add sand to the clay soil, that is, dilute the clay with sand. After you have decided on a site for planting, dig it up. The soil in a drier region should be prepared in the fall by digging it 15 centimeters deeper than if you did this procedure in the spring. At the same time, apply dry fertilizers (potash and phosphorus). This approach will maximize the preservation of moisture and before planting the gladiolus, all that remains is to loosen the soil.

Inspection and preparation of gladiolus bulbs before planting

At the initial stage, all bulbs are thoroughly examined. The scales that cover the corms must be carefully peeled off so as not to damage the young shoots. In case of damage to the bulbs with scab or sclerotinia, it is necessary to remove the affected area (cut off) and burn the resulting cut with green paint. This operation is performed 1 month before planting. The prepared bulbs are simply left in a small tray, sprouted up in a warm place, so that they germinate a little.

• Before planting, the bulbs are subjected to antifungal treatment. They are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of hours or in a solution of basezol for an hour.
• Biennial (so-called juvenile) bulbs with pronounced root tubercles, the diameter of which does not exceed 8 mm, are subjected to special processing. Having laid them in one layer, they are placed under diffused light.
• Immediately before planting, the onions are placed and kept in a solution of potassium permanganate for 9 hours.
• The planting material prepared in this way is transferred to peat pots, which help to avoid breaking the delicate root during transplantation. And also it is a very convenient container for transferring the plant to a cooler place, if you notice that the flower has begun to grow rapidly ahead of time. This is especially true of early varieties of gladioli. If, for one reason or another, you have not stocked up on peat pots, then simple containers can be used.

Planting gladioli in open ground

How to plant gladioli When to plant gladioli photo

How to plant gladiolus bulbs in spring? Some rules will help to avoid common mistakes and protect plants from diseases, increasing their vitality and directing them to abundant flowering.

To prevent gladioli from falling

• It is necessary to consider the structure of the land before planting in order to know how deep to plant gladioli... If clay prevails in the soil, then the depth during planting should be no more than 3 diameters of the bulb. If the bulb is deepened too deep, then the gladiolus simply will not bloom.
• In lighter, sandy soil, the depth of setting should be equal to four diameters of the bulb. In this case lack of bulb setting can cause the plant to slope to the ground and there will be a need to tie it up.

Anyway do not mix the bulbs of young and adult gladioli... The reason lies in one thing: large corms will take food from younger ones, depleting them. Therefore, it is better to plant the young growth separately.

Planting the bulbs is very simple: a groove of the appropriate size is dug, the bottom of which is sprinkled with sand or lined with sphagnum, all this is moistened and the bulbs are placed on this base. The distance between them should be at least 15 cm. Sphagnum will retain moisture and prevent fungi from developing. Everything is lightly covered with earth. As soon as the sprouts begin to germinate and appear on the surface of the soil, sprinkle them with earth again.

An interesting way of planting gladioli is shown in the video:

Care of gladioli after disembarkation in open ground

In order for the gladiolus to have a beautiful, even stem, the flowers in the arrow were presentable, it is necessary to make efforts for the next 2 months after planting in order to get the most positive result at the exit.

How to water

Gladiolus after planting should be watered every other day so that the peduncle is fully formed. This will require 8-10 liters of water per 1m². If dry weather is established, watering should be carried out at least 1 time a day in the evenings.

After that, it is advisable to loosen the earth in order to accumulate moisture inside and prevent it from quickly evaporating. In the case of the opposite, that is, when rainy weather is established, watering is either stopped completely, or limited to 2 times a week. In this case, the water must be well settled. It is not worth pouring it directly under the bulbs, as this contributes to their decay. It is necessary to pour in the aisle, then the soil near the roots is moistened. Gladiolus leaves tolerate spraying well.

Feeding gladioli

• When the sprouts reach 10 centimeters in length, it is necessary to fertilize the soil around the plant with humus. This is done in order to protect the soil from overheating and reduce the amount of moisture evaporated.
• During the formation of the first 3 leaves, fertilizing with fertilizers is necessary, which include mineral nitrogen. These fertilizers include urea and ammonium sulfate. It is introduced at the rate of 2 tablespoons per 1m² in order to form the green mass of the plant.
• Then they are fed twice with a mixture of complex potassium-phosphorus fertilizer: the first stage falls on the period of appearance of 5-6 leaves, the second - at the time of laying the buds. During potassium-phosphorus feeding, you can add a few peas of urea.

Four times during the entire growing season, during irrigation, organic fertilizers can also be applied under the plants.... It is better to use bird droppings for tincture (animal manure should be excluded) at the rate of: 1 bucket of droppings for 2 buckets of water. Organic fertilizer is infused for a decade, then it is diluted in a ratio of 1 to 10, where 1 share falls on the infusion and 10 on water. The quality of the flower depends on the regularity of feeding. Usually fertilizers are applied after watering, which is repeated after fertilization.

Simple disease prevention

For gladioli cultivated on sandy loam, it is good to carry out foliar feeding, the essence of which is to spray the leaves with a special solution. For 1 liter of water, take 0.15 g of potassium permanganate or 0.15 g of boric acid or 0.2 g of Bordeaux mixture. This solution is used as a prophylactic agent against diseases and harmful insects.

Processing is carried out at least 3 times during the entire growing season: the first - during planting, subsequent - during the appearance of the arrow and during the formation of buds.If you add soap to the solution and process the gladiolus leaves on both sides, then this will be a very useful procedure for him in the fight against spider mites.

Loosening the soil and weeding

The roots of absolutely all plants, including gladioli, love oxygen. Loosening will help provide access. To avoid the appearance of a crust on the soil surface, loosening should be carried out after watering. If you do not weed the flower bed, then the weeds will take nutrients from the soil, which will negatively affect the quality of the gladiolus flower. Therefore, weeding is simply necessary once a decade.

How to tie gladioli

A garter is necessary for those varieties of gladioli that reach more than 1.5 meters in length. To provide the stem with support, which over time begins to bend, you can attach a peg to each free-standing flower.
Many gardeners use a different method: they stretch the wire along the row with gladioli and
each flower is neatly tied to it. At the same time, the stems are spud to give them even more stability.

How to cut a flower correctly

In order not to damage the plant, the bulb of which will remain in the ground for some time, and to ensure that the stem is cut worthy of a bouquet, the following rules must be observed: leave a part of the stem with 4 leaves above the ground so that the bulb does not deteriorate. You can cut a flower only when the bottom 3 flowers are completely dissolved. Ideal varieties of gladioli are those whose ability to dissolve up to 10 buds at once is the norm. Cutting flowers is best done in the evening or early morning. The remaining peduncle stem is hidden deeper into the leaves.

When to dig up gladioli

Baby gladiolus photo bulbs

To dig up the bulbs and store them until next year, you need to make sure they are ripe. Therefore, consider the timing: the bulbs are dug up in September-October, in warm, dry weather. At least a month is needed for the bulb free from peduncles to accumulate the necessary juices in order to safely endure the winter. But it is better to give even more time, up to 45 days.

When digging up gladioli, remember that they give babies, and try not to damage them. The sides of the old corms can be literally covered with little "children", which we certainly want to grow and plant in the spring.

Preparing the bulbs for storage

How to store gladioli in winter photo

• First, the bulbs are dug up only in dry weather. They start with early varieties of corms. When cutting off the stem, it is necessary to leave a stem 2-3 cm long from the beginning of the bulb.
• After shaking off the ground and pruning the roots, it is necessary to carefully examine the bulbs to exclude those specimens that may be carriers of diseases.
• The bulbs of each variety are individually washed under running water, dried and subsequently treated twice with an antifungal solution of foundationol.
• Further drying is carried out in the sun, in a well-ventilated place for a month.

How to store gladiolus bulbs in winter

How to store gladiolus bulbs in winter photo

After drying, each onion is separated from each other (this applies to the old, new replacement and "babies"), wrapped in paper for storage and the variety is signed.

• All bulbs are folded in a cardboard box and stored closed to retain the maximum amount of moisture during wintering.
• You can store them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Small “kids”, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, are kept in paper bags under the same conditions as their parents.
• During the rest period, and this is the first 1.5-2 months, there should be no problems with the bulbs at all. After this time, they begin to look after the gladioli bulbs in order to avoid early germination and to exclude the occurrence of diseases.
• Garlic cloves, which act as a natural air decontaminant, are added to the onion containers and placed in a well-ventilated, cool place.

Diseases and pests

Diseases in gladioli can occur both on their own due to the carelessness of the owner, and due to the spread of infection from other crops. Common diseases: botrytis, rust, septoria and fusarium. All of them are of a fungal nature, which they begin to fight against even during the treatment of the bulbs with foundation.

• The preparation "Horus" and "Falcon" is used at the stage before the flowering of the plant in the presence of 3 formed leaves.
• Against insect pests, such as bulb mites, thrips are used "Balazo", "Agrovertin", "Aktara", "Confidor-maxim". Only regular check-ups will help prevent serious illness. An attentive attitude to gladioli will surely be rewarded with its unique lush flowering.

Gladiolus varieties with photos and descriptions Colors of gladioli of Russian selection

Gladiolus is a very popular flower among those who are cut. It looks amazing in a bouquet, perfectly tolerates transportation and pleases the eye for a long time when standing in a vase. Due to the varietal variety, you can choose any shape and size, color shade and structure of the petal, flowering time and cultivation characteristics. For example:

Annushka variety can reach a height of more than 1.5 meters. The most delicate, with reinforced corrugation, flowers of an orange-pink unsaturated color can reach 13-15 cm in diameter. After planting, the first flower should be expected in 2.5 months.

Orange-yellow gladiolus Annushka photo of flowers

Arina variety - with corrugated, delicate in color, but dense in structure, raspberry-lilac flowers. Its distinctive feature is a rich, bright crimson spot in the middle part of the flower.

Pink gladiolus Arina photo of flowers

Variety Eternal Call... It grows up to 140 cm and also belongs to large plants. The main color of the petals is pale pink, in the middle there is a red spot. The originality of the petals is given by their jagged structure along the edges, the structure embossed with veins and the density of the texture.

Orange and white gladiolus Eternal call of flowers photo

Blue butterfly variety speaks for itself: the most delicate blue color of a dense, large petal with a richer blue edging along the edge not only attracts attention, but also makes this gladiolus variety a leader in both exhibition exhibits and sales. It should be added that the flowering of a 145 centimeter plant begins 2-2.5 months after planting.

Gladioluses of Russian selection, variety Blue butterfly, photo of flowers in the garden

Variety Sky and Stars... Very easy to grow and beautiful in bouquet. It has a large (up to 14 cm) corrugated blue-violet flower. Each petal of the flower is riddled with white rays and star-like spots, which gave the name to this variety.

White-purple gladiolus Sky and stars photo of flowers

Snegurochka variety possesses small, but strongly corrugated, bubbly white flowers. Looks amazing in a bouquet after cutting. It also blooms 80-85 days after planting.

White gladiolus Snow Maiden photo of flowers

Spartak variety refers to the mid-early, the height of its stem reaches 160 cm. Flowers - large brown-red with a smoky dark tint. At the bottom of each petal there is a white moire pattern. The neck has a silver coating.

Red gladiolus spartacus photo of flowers

Variety Golden ten with bright yellow large inflorescences of double flowers amazes the imagination. A perfect decoration for any flower bed and luxurious cut flowers.

Yellow gladiolus Golden ten photo of flowers in the garden

According to legend, gladioli grew out of the swords of two friends who were executed when they refused to fight each other in gladiatorial battles.Since the days of the ancient world, this flower has been a symbol of pure friendship.

Nowadays, gardeners are not interested in what they symbolize, but in how to plant gladioli bulbs. These plants are quite delicate and demanding, so you should choose a place ahead of time.

Seat selection

Since these flowers can grow for 3-4 years in one place, and some species can grow up to 7 years, it is better to know in advance how to plant gladioli bulbs correctly and what planting site will be optimal for them.

Gladioli love a lot of light, but they do not tolerate drafts, so the best option would be the sunny side of the site, protected from the wind. A strong wind can easily break flower stems due to the high windage of their inflorescences.

It is also important that the flowerbed is located in a flood-free zone. Stagnant water has a bad effect on the bulbs of the plant. You should also make high fill beds if the groundwater is too close to the surface. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure regular watering, especially in dry summers.

According to its composition, the ideal soil for gladiolus is considered to be a slightly acidic environment. On acidic soils, it does not develop at all, and on alkaline soils it often gets sick. Therefore, before wondering how to plant gladioli bulbs, it is best to check the PH of the soil.

The choice of planting material

It can be difficult for an inexperienced grower to decide on the choice and purchase of gladiolus bulbs, so it is better to deal with trusted and reliable suppliers and horticultural farms.

By its structure, the corm of this flower is the basis of tuberous leaves, in the upper part of which there is the main bud, and in the lower part there are lateral (dormant) buds. It is the central bud that gives the stem, and the lower ones form small baby tubers.

The bulb bearing beautiful inflorescences lives on average for 3-4 years, after which it loses its vitality, becomes large and flat. When buying large flat bulbs with a large bottom, you don't have to wonder how to plant gladioli bulbs correctly in the spring, as they won't give color anyway.

Also, you should be suspicious of small onions, which are affectionately called "girls", as they appear with poor thinning of the plant or with the wrong technology of its cultivation. They are cheap, but will not bloom.

Good planting material is tall bulbs with well-developed lateral buds that bloom at least once.

Preparing the bulbs for planting

Truly preparing the bulbs for planting begins at the end of autumn, when it is recommended to disinfect them before drying.

If there is a threat of infection of the site with thrips, then you should hold the corms in a solution of 0.2-0.3% karbofos for about 30 minutes. If there is no such threat, then to increase resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases, it is enough to lower the bulbs for a couple of hours in a solution of potassium permanganate (2 g per 1 l of water) or garlic infusion (100 g per 3 l).

Before thinking about how to plant gladioli bulbs, you need to carefully prepare them. 2-3 weeks before planting, the bulbs are peeled and checked for damage or decay.

If there are any, then carefully cut them out, and grease the incised place with brilliant green or sprinkle with crushed activated carbon. Throw away soft and rotten bulbs.

In order for the flowers to grow quickly, experienced gardeners keep their tubers for 13-15 hours in a solution of wood resin (dilute 800 g in 10 liters of water). After that, it is recommended to put the corms on the windowsill from the sunny side so that they start up the roots.

Planting gladioli bulbs

Before planting gladioli bulbs in the spring, you should check how warm the soil is. The ideal option is when the ground at a depth of 10 cm warmed up to +10 degrees, but if it was not possible to plant in spring, it is recommended to do this until the first half of June, otherwise they will not be able to form a strong corm until autumn.

The planting hole is made with a depth equal to three times the height of the bulb. Most often it is from 7-15 cm. The distance between the holes is 30-35 cm, and for better growth, experienced gardeners advise planting low varieties in the first row, and after them - taller ones.

This will protect large flowers from possible strong gusts of wind.To understand which side to plant the gladiolus bulb, you should determine where its root bottom is. It is recommended to pour a little sand and 1/3 of mineral fertilizers right into the hole, then pour it with warm water, stick in the tuber and sprinkle it with earth.

At first, until the leaves hatch, you can cover the flowers with a film overnight.

Little secrets of planting gladioli

Gladiolus is a maintenance-free and short-flowering plant. Many gardeners refuse to grow it in their flower beds because of a lot of "fiddling" with it. There are little secrets on how to prolong flowering all summer and limit care to watering only.

• In order for the plant to grow quickly, experienced flower growers give advice on how to plant gladioli bulbs in sawdust. It is recommended to do this in early April so that the tubers germinate enough for transplanting into open ground.
• A week before planting in the ground, the bulbs should be placed in a box or box, bottom down, and sprinkled with well-moistened sawdust. This will provoke rapid root growth. After they hatch, holes are prepared, although many lovers of these flowers make deep furrows for planting.
• A small amount of mineral fertilizers and sand placed in the holes will help to avoid additional feeding in the summer and will free you from watering once again. And in the event that it lands at an interval of 10 days (until the end of May), you can admire the flowering of gladiolus until the end of summer.

These additional measures will save the gardener a lot of hassle. There are also secrets on how to protect these plants from pests.

Diseases and pests

The most dangerous pests for gladiolus are slugs. They eat its leaves and gnaw through tubers, which can completely destroy a beautiful and healthy flower. In order to protect the flowers from their invasion, it is recommended to sprinkle the ground around with coarse salt or mustard.

Any scalding spices prevent slugs from getting close to flowers - they eat away at their bodies. It is easy to get rid of the bear with the help of Medvetox, dissolving it in water and spraying the affected soil.

If there are children or pets on the site, it is better not to use toxic substances, but to arrange traps. To do this, bowls of water are dropped near the flowers, where the pests crawl to get drunk, but can no longer get out.

To protect flowers from fusarium and rot, it is recommended to plant calendula or marigolds around the flower bed.

Digging out the bulbs

To know how to plant gladioli bulbs, you need to understand how to dig them up. Once the plants have bloomed, the stems must be cut to form the bulb. At the beginning of October, the bulbs are dug up to be planted next year. Before this, 10 days should not be watered. The leaves of the dug out bulb are cut off, she herself is wiped off the ground with her hands. All planting material is stored in the cellar until next spring.