Gladiolus

The genus Gladiolus, or Skewer (Gladiolus), includes more than 250 corm-like perennials. A rounded corm with a diameter of 2-7 cm is formed annually, on the outside it is covered with 2-3 dry scales formed from thinned lower leaves. At the base of the corm, baby tubers are formed from the buds in the axils of the lower leaves, which are the main material of vegetative reproduction. The gladiolus stem is erect, slightly branching, 80-200 cm high. The leaves are linear or xiphoid, green or bluish-green, up to 60 cm long. Flowers consist of differently shaped petals fused at the base into a narrow tube. Gladiolus blooms gradually, starting from the bottom. In the same order, the flowers wither, so in one inflorescence-ear there may be withered flowers that should be removed, blooming, opening flowers and unopened buds. There can be from 11 to 22 flowers in one inflorescence. This compensates for the short blooming time of each individual flower. In culture, the hybrid gladiolus is most common. Many varieties of gladiolus with large inflorescences (up to 1 m long) have been used in gardening for a very long time, since the XVII century.

The genus Gladiolus, or Skewer (Gladiolus), includes more than 250 corm-like perennials. A rounded corm with a diameter of 2-7 cm is formed annually, on the outside it is covered with 2-3 dry scales formed from thinned lower leaves. At the base of the corm, baby tubers are formed from the buds in the axils of the lower leaves, which are the main material of vegetative reproduction.

The gladiolus stem is erect, slightly branching, 80-200 cm high. The leaves are linear or xiphoid, green or bluish-green, up to 60 cm long. Flowers consist of differently shaped petals fused at the base into a narrow tube. Gladiolus blooms gradually, starting from the bottom. In the same order, the flowers wither, so in one inflorescence-ear there may be withered flowers that should be removed, blooming, opening flowers and unopened buds. There can be from 11 to 22 flowers in one inflorescence. This compensates for the short blooming time of each individual flower.

In culture, the hybrid gladiolus is most common.

Many varieties of gladiolus with large inflorescences (up to 1 m long) have been used in gardening for a very long time, since the XVII century.

Cultivation

Gladioli are grown in the open ground in gardens on flower beds and borders, less often in containers on balconies and terraces, but they are mainly used as flowers for cutting. Gladiolus is a non-wintering crop. Bulbs are planted in the spring, when there is no danger of frost, at different depths (10-15 cm-large corms, 7-10 cm - small), in a row between plants 8-15 cm, between rows 20-25 cm. They prefer loamy or sandy loam fertile soil with a neutral reaction of the medium (pH 6.5). When preparing the soil for planting, organic (8-10 kg/m2) and mineral (80-100 g/m2) fertilizers. During the growing season, the plants are fed and watered several times. Fertilizers should be applied in a dissolved form in the furrows. Powerful shoots are tied to stakes or other support. Corms are dug out 1.5 months after flowering; they are dried and stored for storage.

Gladioli are grown in the open ground in gardens on flower beds and borders, less often in containers on balconies and terraces, but they are mainly used as flowers for cutting. Gladiolus is a non-wintering crop. Bulbs are planted in the spring, when there is no danger of frost, at different depths (10-15 cm-large corms, 7-10 cm - small), in a row between plants 8-15 cm, between rows 20-25 cm. They prefer loamy or sandy loam fertile soil with a neutral reaction of the medium (pH 6.5). When preparing the soil for planting, organic (8-10 kg/m2) and mineral (80-100 g/m2) fertilizers. During the growing season, the plants are fed and watered several times. Fertilizers should be applied in a dissolved form in the furrows. Powerful shoots are tied to stakes or other support. Corms are dug out 1.5 months after flowering; they are dried and stored for storage.

Location

Gladioli love the most illuminated places in the open sun.

Temperature

Gladioli are heat-loving plants. The optimal daytime temperature is 18-22 °C, the night temperature is 13-15 °C. Tolerate a drop in temperature to -5 °C.

Watering

In summer, they are watered regularly and abundantly, since gladiolus is a moisture-loving crop.

Reproduction

Propagate gladioli with replacement corms, babies and seeds (when breeding new varieties). The most common method is for children. Before sowing, children are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate. They are planted in the ground earlier than bulbs - they are easier to tolerate low temperatures. Plants obtained from the largest babies usually bloom 2-3 years after planting.

Diseases

The most unpleasant fungal disease is fusariasis, which provokes the rotting of bulbs and the subsequent death of the plant. To combat it, fungicide treatment is used. For the prevention of various bacterioses and viral diseases, it is recommended to use healthy bulbs for planting and change the site annually. Often rust causes the appearance of black spots on the leaves. Fungi of the genus Botrytis cause moldy flowers, which are covered with a gray coating. In both cases, treatment is carried out with special fungicides. Among the pests of gladiolus, aphids, thrips and mites are affected, which pierce the leaves and flowers also suck out the sap, weakening the plants. In this case, insecticide treatment is used. Nematodes settle on roots and bulbs. If they infect the soil, it is recommended to sow marigolds, so unpleasant for nematodes. The next year, gladioli are planted on a different plot.

Acquisition

Gladioli bulbs (whole and well-developed) are very easy to find in early spring, even in supermarkets. They should not have dark or bluish spots.