When to plant gladioli? It matters!
We call the rose the queen of flowers. And the gladiolus can rightfully be called the king. He is gorgeous and graceful. And he certainly won't be able to leave anyone indifferent to himself. No other flower is famous for such a variety of corolla sizes and shapes. In terms of the variety of colors, it also has no equal.
It includes almost all shades, from white to black. Any whim of the grower will be satisfied thanks to the selection work that was carried out with gladioli. Every year catalogs around the world are replenished with more and more varieties of these wonderful flowers. And every time the flower is able to amaze with renewed vigor with its sophistication and originality. What prevents you from growing such a noble flower on your own site? If you are afraid that you will not have enough experience for this, then we can safely say to you: even beginner gardeners can do it! We will try to convey to you how to plant them correctly. So gladiolus! When is the best time to plant it?
Content:
Preparing to plant a gladiolus
Prepare gladiolus corms for planting 15-20 days before. They are cleaned of integumentary scales, and then they are examined for the presence of pests, damage and diseases. If the corm is healthy, then its surface is dense and shiny, thick buds and thick tubercles are pecked on it. The latter is the rudiments of the roots. If there are dried out bulbs that are too soft or covered with mold, ulcers, then they must be thrown away. If there are small specks of brown on the corm, then this is most likely scab or fusarium, which can be got rid of: the specks are carefully cut off, and the cut itself must be covered with brilliant green. By the time of planting, it will be covered with epidermis.
Planting gladioli with corms
The corms are laid out in a couple of layers buds upward for germination in a bright, warm room, but at the same time in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight. Moisturizing them is not required, because this will lead to rapid growth of roots, which will break off when planting, which in turn can lead to a growth retardation of the plant itself. If the corm is prepared for planting correctly, then before planting it will have root tubercles, the size of which will be no more than three millimeters. And the sprouts will be from 1 to 10 cm. Those corms that have not given either sprouts or roots are rejected.
How and when to plant gladiolus?
Many novice florists may wonder how and when to plant gladioli... The moment is actually very important, because if you plant a flower earlier than necessary, the bulbs can die or freeze. Late planting can be fraught with the fact that the plant simply does not bloom. The landing time of gladioli varies depending on the climatic zone, on the weather conditions. It is much easier to be guided by the ground temperature at the correct depth (that is, where you will plant flowers). The average temperature is measured at a depth of 12-14 cm. It should not be lower than 10 degrees Celsius. When the temperature reaches such a mark, then the present period is the most favorable for planting gladioli.
When to plant gladioli?
Landing in Ukraine, Crimea and southern Russia gladioli starts March 14-16.In the northern parts of the country, it begins in mid-May. If we talk about the middle lane, then it is most advisable to start planting gladiolus in April and finish in May. Late flowering varieties are planted at this time - 110-120 days. However, be aware that if you plant bulbs of flowers of different flowering at intervals of 10 days to two weeks, then you can achieve that they bloom at the same time. It is necessary to plant in pre-prepared holes or grooves, which are sprinkled with wet sand, which can save the delicate root system at first.
Planting depth also depends on many factors. The most significant of them will be the size of the corm itself and the composition of the soil. If the size of the bulb is 4-6 cm, then it should be planted to a depth of 15-18 cm.If the bulb is small - up to 4 cm, it should be planted to a depth of 10-11 cm.If the soil itself is heavy and clayey, then the depth decreases to 5-7 cm.
Planting depth also depends on many factors. The most significant of them will be the size of the corm itself and the composition of the soil. If the size of the bulb is 4-6 cm, then it should be planted to a depth of 15-18 cm.If the bulb is small - up to 4 cm, it should be planted to a depth of 10-11 cm.If the soil itself is heavy and clayey, then the depth decreases to 5-7 cm.
Planting corms to a depth of less than 7 cm is not allowed.
The only exception can be children (that is, tubers). It is customary to plant them at a depth of 3-7 cm. However, you should not overdo it with depth. Small bulbs may not germinate due to lack of air. Remember also that the distance between the plants must be respected. The larger it is, the less likely it is to contract diseases. And in conclusion - an illustrative video lesson:
I love gladioli. Especially tall. The first time we planted a couple of bulbs in a flower bed. They grew and bloomed, but they were so short that they looked like dwarfs. We were advised to put another soil in the flower bed and mix it with fertilizer and ... lo and behold, the next year they grew handsome.
And for me, the most important problem is how to preserve the gladiolus bulbs. Although with the timing of planting - it's better to know everything for sure, because gladioli are very beautiful flowers!