Can gladioli be grown at home?

Lovely flower beds fill the garden with vibrant colors. Flowers are given the most honorable place. Bulbous plants deserve special attention, the magnificence of which is surprisingly combined with the ease of growing.

Gladioli. Short description

The Iris family has many plants of incomparable beauty. A popular member of this family is gladioli, or skewers. The perennial corm has been known for a long time and has a rich history. The natural habitat is the tropics and subtropics of Europe, Asia and Africa. Skaters are distinguished by a variety of shapes. There are tens of thousands of varieties of garden gladioli and at least two hundred natural species.

The graceful long plant has vertical stems. Its height ranges from fifty centimeters to one and a half meters. Rigid leaves, which reach eighty centimeters in length, rush upward like a sharp blade of a sword. Funnel-shaped flowers have different colors and shapes. The spike-shaped inflorescence can be quite dense or loose.

How to grow gladioli? General landing rules

To grow a full-fledged gladiolus, which will delight you with abundant and beautiful flowering, you must follow certain rules of agricultural technology. Skewers are moisture-loving and heat-loving plants. For planting bulbs, site selection is an important consideration. Gladiolus will be strong and healthy in a well-lit area, protected from wind and drafts. In poor light, the plants are very stretched and bloom poorly. The normal development of the flower is ensured by the fertility of the soil. Its most suitable type is black soil or light loamy soil. When planting, complex fertilizers will be useful. They are added to the hole for each plant.

Gladioli are vigorous flowers. The question arises: how to grow gladiolus so that the stem is stable and does not break? The correct planting depth will help keep the plant firmly in the ground. After choosing a site for a flower garden and preparing the soil, the corms ready for planting are sorted by size.

Large corms deepen by ten centimeters, medium - by five to seven. Small bulbs - babies - are planted to a depth of two to three centimeters. The distance between the holes is from five to fifteen centimeters (depending on the size of the planting material).

How to grow gladiolus at home? Choosing pots for growing

Bulbous flowers can be found not only in garden flower beds. Skaters sometimes settle in the most unexpected places. Growing gladioli outdoors is not the only option for planting bulbous flowers. In conditions of artificial soil, they will adorn any interior. But before growing a gladiolus, a number of issues need to be resolved. First of all, you need to choose the right container in which the flowers will grow.Mistakes will not allow you to get a full-fledged flowering plant.In order to solve the problem of how to grow a gladiolus with a normal developed root system, it is necessary to know the degree of its growth. It branches in the soil to a depth of forty centimeters. Full nutrition of the flower will be able to provide a layer of soil with a thickness of at least forty-five centimeters. Based on this parameter, a suitable growing container is selected. You can use large flower pots or plastic containers, the capacity of which should be at least twelve to fifteen liters.

Gladioli on the windowsill. Landing rules

An unusual sight - gladioli on the window of a living room. How to grow a gladiolus in a pot so that it is healthy and fully developed and bloomed? At home, small-flowered and miniature varieties of skewers will be more suitable. They have a stem height of thirty to fifty centimeters. The root system of flowers of these varieties is less powerful. It has already been said about the choice of a suitable container.The drainage hole must be present in the pot. Flowers do not tolerate stagnant moisture. Drainage material is poured at the bottom of the tank, which will ensure the normal outflow of water. A good drainage system will ensure normal growing conditions. The pot is filled with soil, which should be quite fertile and at the same time moisture-consuming. The success of growing full-fledged plants depends on its composition. Corms in pots are deepened by eight to twelve centimeters, maintaining a distance between them of six to seven centimeters.

How to grow gladiolus on the balcony. Choosing a flower container

The decoration of balconies and loggias is impossible without flowers. Bulbous plants can be used for this purpose. When choosing varieties, preference is given to gladioli with a small stem height. In order to organize a miniature flower garden, suitable containers are selected. In this case, containers of the required size can be used.

Florists choose according to the same principle that is used when choosing pots for growing gladioli. They must have a volume of at least fifteen liters. Usually, large containers are used on balconies or loggias, in which more plants can be planted than in pots used for indoor growing.

How to grow gladioli from bulbs to ensure proper water balance? Containers must have holes for water outflow. Before filling them with soil mixture, drainage material is laid on the bottom. The soil must be fertile enough. At home, you can use purchased universal light peat soils designed for growing flower crops.

A flower garden at home. Agricultural technology of cultivation

Before growing gladiolus on a window or balcony, you should study the conditions of planting and the content of these flowers. In the open field, gladioli are planted at a soil temperature of at least ten degrees Celsius. In conditions of closed ground, skewers begin to be planted from mid-April.

When choosing a place for placing pots and containers on a windowsill, balcony or loggia, it should be borne in mind that gladioli are heat-loving and light-loving plants. Containers with flowers are placed in well-lit places. Plants do not tolerate drafts and low air temperatures. When growing on a balcony, you need to monitor the temperature. When the temperature drops to ten degrees Celsius, the containers are temporarily brought into the room.

The first shoots appear two or three weeks after planting. During this time, it is important to ensure that the flowers are properly hydrated. Lack of moisture will definitely affect the growth of the plant. It will be weak and lose its decorative shape. Provides moderate watering, avoiding waterlogging. Moisture retention can be ensured by mulching with peat. At the same time, it will serve as an additional plant nutrition.You should also pay attention to air exchange. The soil in the container is constantly loosened, thereby providing air access to the gladiolus root system.

The next important point is feeding gladioli. In conditions of closed ground, you cannot do without them. How to grow flowers to ensure an adequate diet? The normal development and flowering of gladioli will require three to four foliar dressings with mineral fertilizers, for the preparation of which the following substances are dissolved in one liter of water:

• ammonium nitrate - 0.5 g;
• superphosphate - 0.5 g;
• potassium chloride - 0.5 g.

The timing of fertilizing is as follows:

• the first is the appearance of three leaves;
• the second is the appearance of six leaves;
• the third is the beginning of flowering.

Preventive measures

The next part of agrotechnical measures for growing gladioli at home is preventive measures. In indoor conditions, plants develop much weaker than flowers grown in garden flower beds.

How to grow gladioli from bulbs in pots and containers to prevent flower disease? First of all, you should use healthy planting material, which is disinfected for thirty minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate before planting. For its preparation, 0.5 grams of potassium permanganate is enough per liter of water. During the growth period, the condition of the flowers is monitored and the necessary preventive measures are taken.

Planting material. Cleaning and storage

Harvesting gladioli in open ground is carried out in late September and early October. The corm ripens four weeks after flowering stops. In indoor conditions, the flowering period lasts a little longer. At the same time, the cleaning time is shifted accordingly. When harvesting, the plants are completely dug out of the ground. After that, they are dried and the stems are cut.

The bulbs are cleaned of soil and rinsed with water. Then they are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate and then dried well. Next, the old bulbs and root system are removed. The final stage is thorough drying, which will last up to fourteen days.

It is necessary to store gladiolus bulbs in a dry place at a temperature of three to eight degrees Celsius. At home, gladioli can be stored in paper bags or cardboard boxes by placing them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Reproduction of gladioli

Several methods of reproduction are used - by seeds and small baby bulbs. The latter method is more common. How to grow a gladiolus from children?

Tuber is an excellent material for breeding a skewer. Babies are formed on the main bulb. They are small in size. In order to accelerate the flowering of this planting material, in March it is sown in containers. The sowing depth is between two and three centimeters. Baby gladiolus will grow in a container until September. Plant care is the same as for flowers grown from large corms. At the end of the season, the baby grows up to three centimeters in size. In the next season, such corms will become an excellent planting material for full-fledged flowering plants.

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Since gladiolus is a majestic and beautiful flower with a massive root system, it needs not only special care, but also a lot of space to grow. Many summer residents are convinced that such a culture should be planted only in garden plots. I do not quite agree with them, and I will tell you whether it is possible to grow gladioli on the balcony, and how to provide the plant with full and proper care.

If you still do not know how to grow lush gladioli on a loggia or balcony, then this article is for you.

Seating gladioli

Thanks to resourceful breeders, today there are many miniature or small-flowered varieties of gladiolus, which will not be problematic to grow on the balcony.After spending a little time, you will receive a luxurious decoration for your apartment, which will delight the eye for a long time.

Tall bright flowers can decorate any balcony

Below I will talk about the main stages of preparing and planting such a wonderful plant at home.

Stage 1. Selection of bulbs

Needless to say, bulbs selection is one of the most important planting steps? By treating this process with insufficient responsibility, you run the risk of getting weak flowering, or even being left without it. I will describe the main points to pay attention to during the preparation process.

The decorative properties of the flower will directly depend on the quality of the bulbs.

1. Examine the bulbs carefully. This should be done about 3 weeks before disembarkation (gladioli are planted most often in April). Peel each bulb and examine it.
   Existing spots may indicate fusarium or bacterial scab.... This problem is easily fixable. Cut out all the damaged areas with a sharp knife, grease them with brilliant green and let the bulb dry.
   If the degree of damage is critical, it is better to discard such planting material.

Keep the bulbs laid out in one layer on a flat surface for several weeks.

2. In a flat container, arrange the onions in one row and leave them at room temperature for 18 days. Due to the fact that before buying the bulbs were stored in a cool place, due to this technique, you will give them as if "to come to life".
3. After the allotted period, dilute potassium permanganate or foundationol in water (the instructions for the preparation contain an indication of the required dosage). In a solution of foundation, the bulbs should be soaked for 20 minutes, in a potassium permanganate solution - for 30.
4. Put a layer of cotton wool in an almost flat container, moisten it with water. Place the bulbs on it with the bottom down and leave them for three days.

After pretreatment, the bulbs are ready for planting.

After such manipulations, roots appear on the bottom, which means that gladioli are ready to plant in the ground.

Stage 2. Landing

After the bulbs are completely ready for planting, you need to take care of good capacity and filling in it. To do this, you will need:

Pots for gladioli should be large and roomy.

1. Purchase a large enough pot, 30-40 cm deep and about the same diameter. Remember, the larger the container, the better.
2. Gladioli do not belong to flowers that are overly moisture-loving, and therefore it is worth taking care of the drainage holes that are responsible for the outflow of excess water... I recommend using broken shards for this purpose, which are placed on the bottom of the planting tank.

Spare no fertilizer for the soil

3. Pour the nutrient substrate over the drain.
4. To plant gladioli with your own hands was successful, use moisture-absorbing, structural soil. Fertile soil will be an excellent helper and will provide beautiful flowering.
5. Make small depressions in the soil with a narrow spatula, pour warm water into it. Place the bulbs there and dust them with earth.

Put the pot with gladioli on the brightest place on the balcony or loggia. On hot days, open windows to keep flowers from overheating. Fresh air is good, but watch out for drafts, they have a detrimental effect on the plant.

Stage 3. Plant care

As I said earlier, gladioli planted in pots require a particularly careful attitude towards themselves. Read about the nuances of caring for these wonderful flowers below:

In order for the plant to delight you with lush flowering, do not be lazy to carefully care for it.

• When feeding the flowers with moisture, do not forget that from an excess of water, the peduncle can bend, stop growing, from which it will lose its decorative qualities... Water the plant frequently, but in moderation. On hot summer days, you can moisten the soil at least 3 times a week.
• Fertilize the soil periodically using peat or humus.

With good fertilization and proper care, gladioli will look amazing.

• Use organic and mineral supplements, alternating between them. The “feeding” scheme may look like this: carry out the first feeding at the stage of appearance of the 3rd leaf, the second - after the formation of the 6th leaf, and the third and fourth - during and after the formation of inflorescences.
• Treat loose or dull flowers with a growth stimulant. I recommend using Epin or Zircon for such purposes (the price for it in stores ranges from 20-30 rubles)

Special biostimulants will contribute to the speedy growth of the plant

Disembarkation and further storage

In open ground, gladiolus begins to be dug up in the second half of September or in October. In indoor conditions, it blooms a little longer, from which the planting dates are shifted. If you are attracted by planting and caring for gladioli on the balcony next year, you need to take a number of actions:

• Stop watering flowers 10 days before planting;
• After the right time has passed, carefully dig up the onion. In no case do this by simply pulling on part of the peduncle! From such manipulations, the root bottom can be damaged, and the planting material will not survive until spring.
• After digging up the bulbs, use your hands to remove any remaining soil from them, and you certainly should not shake them or knock them on a hard surface.

Before storing, gently remove soil residues from the bulbs with your hands.

• Cut off most of the stem, leaving a "stump" a couple of centimeters of the stem.
• Set the bulbs in a warm, dry place and let them dry completely for 10-14 days.
• You can store tubers in a cardboard box or paper bags in the refrigerator. This can also be done in the cellar, but on condition that the temperature is maintained in it no higher than 3-5 degrees.

Finally, I will tell you a little trick that many growers resort to for better storage and protection from drying out of the bulbs. Such a manipulation will not take much of your time, but it will help the bulbs to hold out until the next planting.

To do this, you just need to dip the tubers in paraffin, melted to 35 degrees, and immediately lower them in cold water. You will then remove the formed thin film just before planting.

You can plant flowers no less beautiful than in the photo.

Outcome

Seating and caring for your gladioli can be a lot of fun. And what can we say about the delight caused by flowering plants that so nicely decorate the balcony?

If any nuances on the topic remain unclear to you, I will gladly tell you more about them in the comments below. You can also watch the video in this article, which contains a lot more information useful for gardeners.

September 16, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

Table of contents:

• A lively highlight in the decoration of the house
• How to please discerning favorites
• Disembarkation and storage

Despite the fact that gladioli are garden plants, devoted admirers of this beauty grow them safely in indoor conditions. Potted Gladioli are a great idea for a grower who does not have a backyard.

Gladiolus belongs to the iris family

For a belligerent leaf thrown up like a sword, these handsome flowers are called a sword. Although in reality gladioli are very delicate and graceful creatures. They are the most popular member of the Iris family and are valued for their variety of varieties and colors, as well as their long flowering and cut life.

A lively highlight in the decoration of the house

Even one gladiolus is a lush bouquet, and if there are several of them, this is already a triumph of beauty and taste. Anyone who wants to contemplate such luxury at home can organize a similar flower garden on their own windowsill or balcony. To grow a full-fledged flowering plant in an apartment, you need a desire and strict adherence to certain rules of agricultural technology.

For growing in indoor conditions, miniature and small-flowered gladioli with a stem height of 30 to 50 cm are considered the most suitable. The variety of modern varieties offers connoisseurs the widest possible choice. Nevertheless, Gladiolus colvillei remains the favorite species of experienced florists.

Gladioli are planted at the end of April.

The richness of their color palette is represented by 50 shades. These regal flowers are able to ennoble any interior. If you plant them on a windowsill in early autumn, paying due attention to care, in the spring this splendor will bloom in a riotous color, in no way inferior to its garden relatives.

Indoor gladioli cannot be called capricious plants, if several mandatory conditions for their planting and maintenance are observed. Perennial bulbs are planted indoors in mid-April. When choosing a container, you need to take into account the degree of growth of the plant's root system. Better to let it be a container with a height of at least 50 cm and a volume of at least 15 liters.

It is important that the pot has drainage holes to drain excess water. Corms must be planted in moist soil to a depth of 8-12 cm, keeping a distance of 6-7 cm between them.

Do not water until the shoots appear.

For growing in pots, take miniature gladioli.

The pot should be in a warm, well-lit place. In the winter months, potted gladioli will benefit from additional lighting in the morning and evening hours.

These moisture-loving flowers need an evenly moist soil. With a lack of moisture, gladiolus loses its "posture", weakens and blooms poorly. At the same time, the plant does not tolerate stagnant water. The optimal watering regime is the key to health and the secret of the harmony of domestic skewers. Ideally, the water for irrigation should be warm. Do not forget that the soil in the container dries out faster than in the open field. This drawback can be eliminated by mulching with peat or humus. This simple agricultural technique will not only allow you to preserve moisture, but at the same time will also serve as an additional feeding of the plant.

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How to please discerning favorites

The air in the room must be dry. Excessive moisture can lead to decay of leaves and flowers. Drafts are strictly contraindicated. Another nuance of growing gladioli in indoor conditions is the low air permeability of the pot. If the soil is not loosened in it, the root system of the plant may simply suffocate. The soil should be fertile and moisture-consuming (it is preferable to purchase a special substrate).

It should be borne in mind that in greenhouses, green pets are more in need of additional nutrition. Normal growth and flowering of skewers is provided by foliar dressing in 3-4 doses. Mineral fertilizers can be prepared independently according to this recipe: dissolve 0.5 g of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride in 1 liter of water.

Before planting, the bulbs should be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate

Top dressing should be carried out depending on the needs in a certain period. The first - when the 3rd leaf appears, the second - when the 6th leaf appears, the third and fourth are carried out during budding and flowering. If the flower develops poorly, you can activate it with Zircon or Epin. However, you should not get carried away with this, since stimulants cannot compensate for the lack of care.

True, gladioli are popular not only among amateur flower growers.Pests and diseases have also become addicted to their vulnerable flowers and leaves. Indoor varieties that grow in confined spaces are much weaker than their garden counterparts. Therefore, an important part of agrotechnical measures at home is devoted to preventive measures. When choosing planting material, you need to be especially careful about spots that indicate the presence of a disease. Before planting, healthy bulbs should be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate (0.5 g per 1 liter of water) for half an hour. The fight against diseases of skewers is very difficult. It is easier to prevent trouble by carefully monitoring the condition of the flowers from planting to harvest. The plant is very responsive to careful care.

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Disembarkation and storage

In open ground, these perennials are harvested in late September - early October. The full ripening of the bulb occurs 30-40 days after the end of flowering. In indoor conditions, skewers bloom longer and the harvest time is shifted. After harvesting, the bulbs are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate and dried thoroughly for 4 weeks.

You need to dig out gladioli in dry weather.

You can store tubers in the refrigerator in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Some growers prefer to protect the bulbs from drying out with paraffin wax. To do this, dip the tubers in paraffin, melted to 35 ° C, and immediately immerse them in cold water. Before planting, the formed film is removed along with the husk.

Gladioli are propagated by corms, tubers and seeds. The most common way is to use baby corms. They are sown in containers in March, and by September the babies grow up to 3 cm in size. This is the best planting material for the next season.

Experienced growers call the cultivation of gladioli in pots a sport with a captivating feeling of excitement and the joy of blossoming "victories". But be that as it may, for love and reverent attitude, these gentle creatures will generously repay with the flowering of stunning beauty!

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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 a flower is a 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 should not be planted in places with high groundwater levels. 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. Carefully inspect each tuber for 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, 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 filling the tubers completely, but doing 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 garden bed should 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, water only the aisle! Thus, the water will optimally moisten 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 is essential for harmonious development and flowering. When the first 2 leaves appear on the sprouts, you can begin to add carbamide 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 they are applied). 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 a skewer grown in sandy loam soil, the foliar fertilization method 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 a so-called bouquet culture, so that the flower stays longer after being cut, 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.