Gladiolus ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips

Plant gladioli properly

When the danger of frost draws to an end from the end of April, the planting time is for Gladiolus came. Summer beauties feel in good hands in the sunny, warm and sheltered location. In nutritious, humus-rich and sandy-loamy soil, make small pits with a maximum depth of 12 cm. Spread an approx. 2 cm thick layer of sand as drainage. It is beneficial for the flowers if the excavated material is enriched with sifted compost and a handful Rock flour.(€ 12.33 at Amazon *) Place the flower tubers with the flat side facing downwards a maximum of 10 cm deep into the ground. After the planting site has been watered with a fine shower head, we recommend a layer of mulch made of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch.

Care tips

Gladioli create an aura of tropical opulence in the summer garden when the flowers are given this care program:

Always water when the surface of the earth is dry
From May until the end of the flowering period, fertilize organically or liquidly every 2 weeks
Do not cut off flower candles until they are completely withered

If the mercury column falls below freezing for the first time in autumn, you can remove the tubers from the earth. Cleaned and dried, put them in a wooden box with earth and sand or wrap the onions thickly in newspaper. The gladiolus tubers remain in a dark, frost-free and dry place until the next season.
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Which location is suitable?

Gladioli are among the sun worshipers in the summer flower garden. They savor every ray of sunshine with pleasure in order to produce even more luscious flower candles. Given an average height of 100 cm, the need for a sheltered location is just as pronounced. So that the proud pillars of flowers do not bend over, they can either be placed in front of a protective south wall, along a retaining fence or you can simply tie the flower stalks. It is important to note an annual change of location. Where the flowers are planted in the same place every year, soil fatigue has such a negative effect that they only bloom in a dull white.
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The correct planting distance

Gladioli create a picturesque appearance wonderfully in larger groups of 5 to 10 flowers. We recommend a planting distance of 15 cm so that there is neither crowded tightness nor empty gaps. Cultivated in a large container, this value is reduced by 3-5 cm in order to create the desired lush appearance.

What soil does the plant need?

Since the majestic flowers sprout from an underground tuber, the quality of the earth is of particular relevance. high in humus, with a first-class drainage and of a slightly sandy consistency are the most important attributes. A structurally stable potted plant soil, enriched with a handful of quartz sand and something, can therefore be considered for potting Perlite(€ 35.50 at Amazon *) for best permeability.

What is the best time to plant?

A qualified decision for the best planting time depends on the cultivated gladiolus. Since the majority of the beauties of the flowers come from the warm regions of Africa, they cannot withstand temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Noble gladioli and their conspecifics are therefore only planted from the end of April / beginning of May. For the few hardy wild and dwarf varieties, the time window for planting in autumn is wide open during the months of August and September.
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When is the flowering time?

The wild gladiolus heralds the flowering time in May, because it can stay in the bed through the winter and starts accordingly early. In June and July, the non-hardy flowers that lingered in the frost-free quarter follow. While tropical noble gladioli end their flower festival in August, dwarf varieties, the nanus line and wild species hold out into September. Resourceful hobby gardeners extend the flowering period by planting the tubers at different times from the end of April to mid-June.
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Cut gladioli properly

The professional cut at the right time contributes significantly to the long life of gladiolus tubers. In order for the flowers to sprout vitally in every season for many years, the withered flower stalks and leaves must not be cut off too early. Allow the underground survival organ enough time to assimilate and store the remaining nutrients from the above-ground parts of the plant. Only then do you cut the stalks a hand's width above the ground. The stub later acts as a handle to pull the tubers out of the earth before winter.
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Pour gladioli

Imposing flowers, such as gladioli, evaporate abundant moisture through their magnificent flowers and leaves. Take this into account, especially during the summer, by watering regularly. As soon as the substrate surface has dried, the root disc is watered immediately. This is more often the case in the bucket than in the bed.

Fertilize gladioli properly

A balanced supply of organic nutrients perfectly meets the needs of gladioli. Fertilize From May to the end of the flowering period, the flowers with compost, bark humus, leaf soil or every 2 weeks guano.(€ 9.82 at Amazon *) In the pot, the splendid specimens are happy about a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 14 days.

Overwinter

Once the first frosts have arrived in the garden, it is time for the flowers to move to their winter quarters. Dig up the tubers. On airy, frost-proof varieties, they are laid out to dry for 1-2 days. The remaining soil and dried-up parts of the plant can now be easily removed. During the cold season, the gladiolus bulbs stay well stored in a wooden box that is filled with a mix of earth and sand. Alternatively, wrap the tubers in newspaper and place them on a wire rack. At the location it is dark, airy and frost-free, with temperatures not exceeding 10-12 degrees Celsius. During the winter, the tubers receive neither water nor fertilizer.

The hardy gladiolus species are an exception. Wild and dwarf varieties are allowed to remain in the ground if a thick protective layer of leaves, brushwood or Garden fleece keeps the rigors of winter at a distance.
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Propagate gladioli

Get the flower bulbs out of the ground after the first frost and hold an abundance of vital propagation material in your hands. Well-established gladioli develop numerous brood tubers. These are cut off with a sharp, disinfected knife. While the mother tubers overwinter in the cool, dark cellar, you push the daughter tubers forward. This is how it works:

Fill small pots with lean soil, such as pricking substrate or cactus soil
Place the bulbs with the flat side down at a distance of 10 cm approx. Plant 8 cm deep
Water regularly at the bright, warm window seat without causing waterlogging

From the end of April / beginning of May, plant the young plants you have driven into the bed together with the overwintered parent tubers.
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Gladiolus in the pot

It is primarily dwarf gladioli and small-growing flowers from the Nanus line that are decorative in the pot. With a suitable support, the mighty precious gladioli also flaunt in the bucket on the sunny, warm and sheltered balcony. From the beginning of April, place the tubers about 10 cm deep in loose Potting soil. In order to avoid waterlogging in view of the high watering requirement, insert a few potsherds or pebbles as drainage between the opening in the bottom and the substrate. The beauties are fertilized with liquid fertilizer every 14 days until the end of the flowering period. It is best not to cut off the withered flower candles until they have been completely absorbed.

Once the gladioli have finished their summer blossom festival in the pot, get the tubers out of the ground. After these have dried for 1-2 days, remove the last remaining substrate and plant residues. The dry outer skin of the tuber can also be removed. Wrapped in newspaper or in a wooden box with a mixture of sand and earth, the flower bulbs spend the winter in a cool, dark location.
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Is gladiolus poisonous?

The enchanting flowers are the ideal candidates to decorate the summer family garden. Gladioli are not poisonous to children or adults. An exception, however, are the components of the tubers for pets. Various veterinary clinics classify the flower bulbs as slightly toxic, since symptoms of poisoning have been observed in cats and dogs after consumption.
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Gladiolus does not bloom

It is mostly negligence in the care and the choice of location that prevent a gladiolus bloom. We have compiled the most common causes and possible solutions for you here:

Too dark location: Place the flowers in a sunny and warm place
Too wet, compacted soil: Optimize the soil with sand, compost, leaf soil or perlite
Drought stress: water the summer flowers as soon as the surface of the earth has dried
Nutrient deficiency: fertilize the bed every 2 weeks with compost, Rock flour and horn shavings; in a pot with liquid fertilizer

Seedling-propagated gladioli, as well as flowers grown from brood tubers, bloom after 3 years at the earliest.

How do I cut gladioli for the vase correctly?

You will enjoy the flowers as a vase decoration for a long time if you cut off the blossom candles in their budding state. Only the buds in the lower stem area should already show color. Position the scissors at a slight angle under the first bud. In order for the flowers to sprout again, a few leaves should be left in the bed.
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Nice varieties

Coral Lace: Fantastically beautiful butterfly gladiolus with pink-white flowers from July; Growth height 80-100 cm
Rubra: The carmine-red dwarf variety is in great demand among florists thanks to its density of flowers; Growth height 40-60 cm
Spitfire: A nanus gladiolus, the scarlet flowers of which have yellow and purple spots; Growth height 40-50 cm
Esspresso: The variety impresses with its burgundy red calyx and long flowering period; Growth height 60-70 cm
Priscilla: A charming variety of flowers, the white flowers of which have a delicate pink border; Growth height 60-70 cm
Wild gladiolus: These flowers score with carmine-red blossom candles and robust winter hardiness; Growth height 70 cm