Growing gladioli from bulbs: when to plant (photo)

Gladiolus is a very effective plant, however, you must understand that growing gladioli from bulbs is not an easy task. It will not grow out of the bulb on its own, since the gladiolus needs some care. For this, an equally important aspect is the choice of bulbs, their preparation and proper planting.

All preliminary actions have a significant effect on the subsequent state of the plant. One of the important aspects in growing gladioli is choosing the place where they will grow and processing the gladioli bulbs before planting.

Bulb gladiolus cultivation

To grow gladioli from bulbs, it is necessary to prepare biological material for open ground in advance. First, the bulbs of the plant need to be cleaned from the scales that cover them.

To select a place of growth, it is necessary to be guided by the following criteria:

• the place of growth should be sufficiently moist;
• the plant must provide the proper amount of light;
• it is not recommended to plant gladioli in lowlands and places where there is a high level of groundwater and there is a lack of a constant exchange of air.

Planting gladioli in the open ground

Many gardeners are concerned about the question of when to plant bulbs of gladioli in the open ground. There is no specific time for planting the plant in open ground, since this moment depends on the climatic conditions of the environment in which the gladiolus grows. The temperature of the soil at the depth at which the planted plant will help determine the planting time.

When planting gladioli in open ground, the following rules must be followed:

• prepare a trench or special pits, the depth of which is determined in accordance with the size of the bulbs;
• at the bottom of the resulting recess, the soil must be dug up;
• apply some fertilizer to the ground;
• then the soil needs to be watered properly, as the earth begins to pick up moisture;
• clean sand is poured into the pit or trench with the expectation that it will take a thickness of no more than 1-2 cm;
• gently place the bulb of gladiolus in the resulting fossa and bury it with earth;
• place the holes at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other.

Soil preparation for gladioli

The most suitable soil for growing gladioli is loose, sandy loamy soil. However, if it has clay in its content, then it is necessary to sprinkle it with sand. It is necessary to prepare the soil in the fall, while the earth needs to be dug up to a shallow depth, and humus and lime should be added to it. Use stale humus, because its purpose is not the active growth of leaves, namely the flowers of the plant.

Preparation of gladiolus bulbs for planting

It is important to immediately clarify which gladioli bulbs are suitable for planting. First of all, they should be pre-processed, not have flaws in the structure.

If earlier the peeling of the bulbs was not made, then this procedure is mandatory before planting. After removing the bulbs unsuitable for planting, it is necessary to select those that need treatment. To do this, the affected area is cut out and the resulting recess is poured with crushed coal, and then covered with brilliant green. Many gardeners are interested in how to prepare gladioli bulbs for planting in the spring. For this, it is necessary to process the bulbs in a solution of such preparations as Maxim or Fundozol before planting them.

How to germinate gladioli before planting

After all the steps taken related to the preparation of gladioli bulbs, it is necessary to germinate the bulbs before planting directly. Many beginner gardeners are thinking about how to germinate gladioli before planting. Although germination is not required, it is recommended that the gladiolus flowers bloom faster.

The most favorable period for such procedures is the beginning or mid-April. Cropped bulbs are laid out with the petiole up to the box in one layer. This box will be kept in a dry place, in which weakly scattered light prevails. Such manipulation will allow the bulb subsequently to sprout faster.

You may be interested in:

How to prepare gladioli for winter: pruning, digging, features of autumn carePruning, digging in the fall and cleaning winter gladioliHow to store gladioli in the winter at home

The optimal size of the gladiolus bulbs for planting

Many flower lovers are interested in what is the optimal size of gladioli bulbs for planting. In this case, it is 3.5-4.5 cm.

In no case do not get bulbs of large sizes, as they are likely to not give large flowers. Therefore, give preference to bulbs that have a diameter of not more than 4 cm, they should be shiny and not have wrinkles.

Bulb Handling Before Planting

Processing of gladioli bulbs before planting is to clean them of excess husk. Unnecessary growths and spots are cut with a knife not only in partially rotten new bulbs, but also in those that need updating and reproduction. After the circumcision procedure, it is necessary to leave at least one living kidney of the plant tuber.

Among the most effective methods for treating gladiolus bulbs before planting

• distinguish:
• placing bulbs in a solution of potassium permanganate;
• the use of growth stimulants, which are used for indoor plants and flower beds;
• many experienced gardeners prefer scalding bulbs with boiling water, after which they are washed in cold water;
• a trace element solution is used, it is more effective than boiling water, but not so safe for the condition of the bulb itself.

Outdoor care for gladioli

After you have completed all the steps necessary for the competent planting of gladioli bulbs in the open ground, you must constantly monitor the condition of the plant.Caring for a gladiolus requires special attention, since this flower is quite unruly.

The highlights of gladiolus care are as follows:

1. Regular watering. If the soil under the plant is dry, then it must be irrigated every evening.
2. Feed your plant periodically, especially after sprouts more than 10 cm tall appear. Provide humus to the soil and mulch it, this will avoid overheating of the earth itself and excessive evaporation of water.
3. Saturate the soil in which gladiolus grows with oxygen. To do this, periodically loosen the ground and weed the flowers that appeared. This will get rid of weeds.
4. Tie gladioli, the height of which has reached more than one and a half meters. If necessary, for each flower, you can make a peg, which will contribute to the additional strengthening of the plant.
5. Cut off the gladiolus, leaving a piece of the stem over which several live leaflets are located above the surface.

Pest control

Despite the resistance of gladioli, these plants are still susceptible to various diseases. These include mainly fungal diseases, from which only the treatment of bulbs with special solutions that fight infection can save. However, in order to timely prevent the subsequent development of the disease on the gladiolus, it is necessary to cut off and remove the diseased parts of the plant in time, or if it is no longer possible to save the whole gladiolus, then remove the entire shoot.

Novice gardeners often wonder about how to grow gladioli from bulbs in the country or how to grow gladioli from bulbs in standard ways. First of all, it is necessary to focus on the health of future plants, since such an approach is fundamental to the successful development of gladiolus subsequently.

Digging bulbs of gladioli

It is necessary to dig up gladiolus tubers in a month - one and a half after the plant has ceased to bloom. However, in the northern regions of the country gladioli bloom late, so the bulbs do not have time to ripen during this period.

Be careful! Keep in mind that if the tubers accidentally come off the stem and remain in the soil, then this is fraught with the fact that in spring there may be a mixture of varieties of cultivated gladioli, which will lead to the fact that the site quickly becomes clogged. In no case do not leave the bulbs in the ground, be sure to remove them!

Growing miniature gladioli at home

Use a pot whose height does not exceed 25 cm. Then fill its bottom with 3 cm of drainage and sprinkle fertile soil on top. In the center, make a small hole and fill it with water. Bulbs must also be prepared by mid-April. Dip the onion in the hole, then cover it with earth and pour plenty of water. To create favorable conditions for the growth of gladiolus, put a flower pot in a well-lit area of ​​the apartment.