Gladiolus are among the most popular flowering plants and enjoy unbroken popularity. The life energy and magnificent blossom arise in a small bulb, the gladiolus bulb.
What are gladiolus bulbs and how are they cultivated?
Gladiolus bulbs are storage organs that store starch and minerals for the next growth period of the gladiolus. They are rhizomes that form daughter bulbs and can extend the flowering period by planting in spring or by planting at different times.
The onion botanically speaking
The gladiolus bulb is a storage organ in which the gladiolus stores starch and minerals during the resting phase for the next growth period. The onion enables the gardener to easily cultivate frost-sensitive plants such as the gladiolus in our latitudes. In autumn the small tuber is dug up and allowed to overwinter in a frost-free room. Next spring, when there is no longer a threat of late frosts after the Ice Saints, the gladiolus bulb will be replanted and will sprout again within a few days.
From a botanical point of view, gladiolus bulbs are not real bulbs like our edible onions, but rather rhizomes with limited growth. These have the property of forming numerous small daughter bulbs with which the gladiolus can be easily propagated.
Postpone flowering time
Unfortunately, the flowering period of the gladiolus is quite short and in many regions only lasts two weeks. However, you can take advantage of the rapid budding of the gladiolus and shift the flowering from late spring to October.
If you want gladioli to bloom very early, you can plant the bulbs as early as March. Placed two-thirds in a flower pot with conventional soil, the gladiolus sprouts almost explosively from the room window. If you transplant these outdoors after the Ice Saints, you will soon be able to enjoy the flowers.
To extend the flowering period into autumn, plant the bulbs every week for a longer period of time. This means that the gladioli germinate at a delayed rate and you can enjoy the attractive flower stalks for weeks.
Gladiolus bulbs also thrive on the balcony or terrace
Onion plants do not necessarily have to be planted in the garden. The gladioli can be easily cultivated in planters on the balcony or terrace and create attractive accents. It is only important that the balcony is protected from the wind and sunny so that the needs of the gladiolus are met. You also have to be careful when watering: gladioli need sufficient moisture, but if they are waterlogged the gladioli bulbs will quickly begin to rot.
Tip
Onions have two recognizable sides: the roots develop from the flat side, while the foliage and flowers grow from the tip. Therefore, always place the onion with the flat side down in the ground.
