Unfortunately, the beautiful gladioli do not have a long flowering period and the attractive flower stalks have already faded after about two weeks. To ensure that the onions continue to grow and sprout again next year, you must pay attention to a few important points when caring for them.
What to do when gladioli have faded?
Once gladioli have finished flowering, you should cut out the stems to prevent seed formation. Leave the foliage on the plant for nutrient absorption, conceal yellowing foliage with other plants and prepare the gladioli for overwintering.
Cut out the stems
As soon as the gladioli have finished blooming, you should cut out the stems. This prevents the gladiolus from putting all its energy into producing seeds. In order for the onion plant to grow and bloom vigorously again next year, it is important that the bulb continues to grow. This would be prevented by the seeds maturing.
Before these care measures, clean the cutting tool (€14.00 on Amazon) thoroughly. This prevents bacteria and fungi from entering the onion via the stem.
Leave the leaves on the gladiolus
Even if the leaves don't look particularly attractive, you should resist the temptation to cut them immediately after flowering. The onion needs the green to store sufficient nutrients for the next growing season.
Conceal yellowing leaves
For some time now, the majestic gladioli have not been seen very often in our gardens. One of the reasons for this is certainly that the yellowing leaves are not a particularly attractive sight. However, with a little planning, this can be prevented. Perennials or annual flowering plants in the foreground cover the gladiolus foliage and ensure the bed looks attractive well into autumn.
Preparing for winter
Only when only the lowest two leaves are green or when night frosts threaten is the gladiolus shortened to about ten centimeters, removed from the ground and overwintered in a cool, dry place.
Tip
Whether in the garden or in the vase: the gladiolus often does not open all the flowers. While the lower inflorescences have completely withered and are already producing seeds, the uppermost buds are still closed. If you cut off everything that has faded immediately, even the top buds will open without any problems.
