These are one of the most prominent representatives of our gardens and flower beds. How to grow gladiolus? In order for them to grow on your site, the cultivation of gladioli in the open field must be carried out in compliance with certain rules. I will talk about some 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 inflorescences reaches its peak. No wonder Gladiolus is called the “flower of teachers”, because it is by September 1 that it becomes especially in demand - every schoolchild 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 truly a magnificent decoration of any garden, summer cottage.
What is gladiolus? Another name for the flower is fennel, it belongs to the iris family, even in some ways outwardly similar to its relatives. This is a corm perennial, numbering about 5,000 varieties. It is worth noting that individual cultivars are gradually degenerating, and new hybrids come in their place. Different varieties look different, require a diverse approach: the color scheme, the size of the flowers, the structure of inflorescences, the characteristics of growth, the nuances of care - everything has its own characteristics and differences.
Photo gladioli:
Secrets to growing gladioli - 11 rules
Let's look at the important nuances of growing this flower, the so-called eleven unshakable rules:
- Crop rotation rule - it is highly recommended not 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.
- When transplanting, it is preferable to choose soil with a different composition. If, for example, your flowers grew on clay soil, it would be better if you transplant them into sandy soil.
- Choose the “proven” varieties of bulbs, those that are adapted to grow in your area. This flower does not like the difference in climatic zones - if you get a rare variety from Holland, most likely it will be able to please you with flowering only once.
- During planting, small bulbs are first planted, and then large ones. No need to place adults and children’s bulbs nearby - large tubers will overwhelm the “kids”. Particularly large specimens are generally best planted separately.
- Growing gladioli - it is extremely important to correctly deepen the tuber. Look at its diameter, if the soil is light at the landing site, then the depth of "immersion" should be approximately four diameters. If the soil is heavy, then deepening by three diameters will be enough. If the 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.
- About five days before planting, it is recommended to peel the tubers from the hardened husks (for better germination), after planting, water them once every two days.
- Gladiolus - photophilous plants, if you choose a late-flowering variety, then do not plant it in shaded places. Shade is a suitable place only for early varieties, but even they can be late with flowering.
- To exclude the occurrence of fungal manifestations, if possible, plant the skewer in a ventilated place.
- If the flowers grow in sandy loam soil, it is recommended to apply top dressing by irrigating the ground part of the plant (leaves).
- With the onset of summer, gladioli should be watered once every 5-7 days, but at the same time, saturation with moisture should be plentiful. If there is heat, then in order to avoid overheating of the soil, water the flowers moderately daily (after sunset), while do not forget to loosen the ground and destroy the weeds.
- Pay special attention to the collection of tubers; subsequent storage of gladioli in winter should be carried out correctly.
It is very important to choose a comfortable place to plant so that the flower can fully grow and bloom. Gladiolus does not like waterlogged soil, therefore, in places with a high groundwater level it cannot be planted. This rule also applies to lowlands, areas where water may stagnate.
When to dig out gladioli and how to store?
After the skewer has completely faded away (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 peeled from the ground, dried thoroughly, tubers of early varieties are dug up first, and lastly, young and medium-sized onions are removed from the ground.
To prevent the growth of bacteria during storage, the tubers can be pickled in a hot solution of potassium permanganate (approximately +60 ° C), for these purposes, the Fitosporin, Maxima tool is also suitable. After 20-25 minutes, the tubers are taken out of the hot tub, dried for about two weeks in a dry and cool place, then wrapped in paper and put away in 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 get the bulbs, inspect them, ventilate. In a container with tubers, you can put several peeled garlic cloves - this will create additional protection against diseases during storage. The teeth should be replaced periodically with fresh ones. With the onset of spring, bulbs can be planted again in the soil, giving new life to a new generation of flowers. Remember that the deadline for 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 lush flowering, this should also be taken into account.
When to get gladiolus from the refrigerator for germination? The most suitable time for awakening the bulbs from winter sleep is 25-30 days before planting. Carefully inspect each tuber, they should not be rot, parasites or any damage. Excess husk must be removed, if there is slight damage - cut off, after that it is necessary to etch the planting material again as described above (potassium permanganate, Maxima, Fitosporin, Karbofos). Places of cuts can be glossed over with a usual green brush. A dry and light, but not sunny place is perfect for germinating bulbs, and they need to be laid down on clean paper with the bottom down. 48 hours before the bulbs are planted, it is recommended to find the area illuminated by the sun and spread them on wet tissue (moisten it as it dries) - this way you will stimulate the growth of root buds.
Bulbs, ready for planting, photo:
How to plant gladioli in the spring
Initially, select a place for the future flower garden. The skewer prefers flat, well-lit areas, aired, but not very windy. As already 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 were grown on this place before - tomatoes, beans, peas, strawberries, marigolds are quite suitable for the company of skewers. If carrots, potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables, which are used to feed manure, were previously grown on the site, then planting gladioli there is highly not recommended. Loamy, sandy loamy, slightly acidic soil is the best environment for fenders.
Gladioli are rather capricious. Planting tubers in too acidic soil will adversely affect flowering, and the risk of Fusarium infection will increase significantly. Alkaline soil will prevent the plant from consuming the required amount of iron from the ground - the leaf will turn yellow (chlorophyll production will decrease). An acceptable level of soil acidity for fenders is pH 6.5-6.7. 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 potash or phosphorus additives are added, as well as rotted compost.
Planting of gladioli in spring in the ground is carried out when the earth warms up to +10 ° C, by mid-April / early May. Before planting, you can again pickle the tubers in a solution of phytosporin (approximately 30 minutes). The size of the bulb affects the depth of the trench (the larger - the deeper), the fencer is planted in groups, adults and young bulbs are planted separately. It is recommended to sprinkle the bottom of the trench with sand, spill with water, place the tubers at a distance of about 9-15 cm from each other. Instead of sand, you can use sphagnum, it will better retain water and partially stop the development of fungi.
The eleven rules for planting gladioli indicate the subtleties of deepening 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 the tubers completely, but to do this as the flower grows. But I would not advise doing so. It is possible that you will forget to pour soil on time. And heavy rain or excessive irrigation will contribute to the fact that the sprouted bulb in soft ground will lose support, will bend at an angle to the surface of the soil. It will no longer be possible to straighten, to give the shoot a vertical position without fear of breaking off the shoot at the base of the bulb - you will lose the flower, the new shoot is unlikely to grow.
Planting bulbs, photo:
Gladioli - when to plant them and how, we have already figured out, now we will consider in more detail the departure itself. The first days of the garden should be watered every other day, in case of drought it is recommended to provide the plants with daily evening watering, and irrigation of the leaves will not hinder the gladiolus. If it rains periodically, then watering once every 4 days will be appropriate. Do not pour water into the trench with plants, but only water the aisle! Thus, water optimally moisturizes the soil in the root area without oversaturation.
When the skewer sprouts reach 10 cm, mulch the soil with humus - it will additionally protect the plant from overheating and evaporation of moisture. Mineral and organic dressing are important for harmonious development and flowering. When the first 2 leaves appear in the sprouts, you can start adding carbamide or ammonium sulfate (nitrogen-sulfur top dressing) to the soil. In the presence of 6 leaves, you can begin to make potassium or phosphorus additives, as well as a little nitrogenous. When buds are formed on the skewer, it is recommended to add phosphorus-potassium feeds - they complete the fertilizer cycle.
Gladiolus, photo of flowers:
Organic fertilizing is applied during irrigation along with water (flowers also need to be watered before and after their application). For example, poultry litter should be infused for approximately 10 days (2 buckets per 4 buckets of water). This solution is diluted with water (1 liter per 10 liters of water) and fertilize the plants every 2-3 weeks. You should know that animal manure should never be used to feed gladioli!
For skewers grown in sandy loam soil, the foliar fertilizer method is especially recommended. Thus, the leaves can be irrigated with a weak solution of boric acid, potassium permanganate or copper sulfate. To these compounds, you can add a small portion of laundry soap, grated on a fine grater. Spraying is carried out about 2-3 times for the entire season, especially during flower growth and during the setting of buds. Loosening the soil and weeding should be carried out after irrigation, because the gladiolus loves oxygen, which actively comes to the roots after this procedure. Weeding is done once every 7-10 days, as needed.
Some varieties of skewer can reach 170 cm, to prevent breaking the stem such tall plants are best secured - tied to a peg. You can also pull several rows of wire or fishing line in the area of 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 stands longer after cutting, it should be cut at the stage of opening the first 3 or 4 buds. Especially luxurious look varieties that show the world 8-10 flowers on a long stem. If possible, cut gladioli early in the morning or after sunset, the remaining buds should be hidden in the foliage.
Gladiolus, photo:
Diseases of gladioli, photo, treatment
To stop the development of the disease in the bud, do not be lazy to regularly inspect both tubers and flowers growing in the area.
The most dangerous diseases of the skewer are botritis (gray rot), fusarium, rust, septoria, sclerotinia, scab.
Do not allow waterlogging of the root system of plants, carefully inspect them, pay due attention to preventive measures. The preparations "Chorus", "Fundazol", "Kadris" give a good result when processing gladiolus before the onset of the flowering phase. Fundazolum is also recommended to process tubers after extraction from the earth and before winter storage.
Malicious thrips, an onion tick, a cabbage scoop and slugs love to nest on a skewer and eat its juices.
Photo of thrips gladioli:
Confidorm Maxi, the insecticide “Aktara”, “Calypso”, the agent against ticks “Agrovertin”, the biological agent “Aktofit”, “Balazo” give high rates in pest control.
Like any other beautiful garden representative, this flower requires attention. But it will certainly reward us with the beauty and magnificent color of summer colors of gladiolus. Outdoor cultivation is associated with some conventions, but fully justifies the effort and time.