When the mighty flower candles sway in the summer wind, it is the inimitable gladioli to which we owe the splendor of color. Obligatory in the cottage garden, magical in the flower bed, and not least as cut flowers, they decorate the home for what feels like an eternity. Do you still have questions about cultivation in your mind? Then we have the right answer for you here.
When and how should you plant gladioli?
Gladiolus should be planted from the end of April to the beginning of May in a sunny and wind-protected location in humus, sandy-loamy soil with a maximum depth of 12 cm. Water regularly during the growth and flowering period and fertilize every two weeks.
Planting gladioli correctly
When the danger of frost begins to end at the end of April, the planting time for gladioli has come. The summer beauties feel in good hands in the sunny, warm and wind-protected location. Create small pits with a maximum depth of 12 cm in nutritious, humus-rich and sandy-loamy soil. Spread an approx. 2 cm thick layer of sand there as drainage. It is beneficial for the flowers if the excavation is enriched with sifted compost and a handful of rock dust. Place the flower tubers with the flat side facing downwards into the soil a maximum of 10 cm deep. After the planting site has been watered with a fine spray, we recommend a mulch layer of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch.read more
Care tips
Gladiolus create an aura of tropical opulence in the summer garden when the flowers are given this care program:
- Always water when the soil surface is dry
- Fertilize organically or liquidly every 2 weeks from May until the end of the flowering period
- Only cut off flower candles when they have completely wilted
If the mercury falls below freezing point for the first time in autumn, take the tubers out of the ground. Cleaned and dried, place them in a wooden box with soil and sand or wrap the onions thickly in newspaper. The gladioli tubers remain in a dark, frost-free and dry place until the next season.read more
Which location is suitable?
Gladiolus are among the sun worshipers in the summer flower garden. They enjoy every ray of sunshine to produce even more lush flower candles. Given an average height of 100 cm, the need for a wind-protected location is just as pronounced. To ensure that the proud flower columns do not collapse, they can either be placed in front of a protective south wall, along a supportive fence or you can simply tie the flower stems on. 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 detrimental effect that they only bloom in dull white.read more
The correct planting distance
Gladioluses create a picturesque appearance wonderfully in larger groups with 5 to 10 flowers. To ensure that there is neither a crowded space nor boring gaps, we recommend a planting distance of 15 cm. Cultivated in a large container, this value is reduced by 3-5 cm 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 soil is particularly relevant. Rich in humus, with first-class water drainage and a slightly sandy consistency are the most important attributes. For pot cultivation, a structurally stable pot plant soil should be considered, enriched with a handful of quartz sand and some perlite for best permeability.
What is the best time to plant?
A qualified decision for the best planting time depends on the type of gladiolus being cultivated. Since the majority of the flower beauties come from the warm regions of Africa, they cannot tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Noble gladioli and their counterparts are therefore only planted from the end of April/beginning of May. For the few hardy wild and dwarf varieties, the window for planting in autumn is wide open during the months of August and September.read more
When is flowering time?
The wild gladiolus begins its flowering period in May, because it can stay in the bed throughout the winter and gets off to an early start. In June and July, the flowers that are not hardy and remain in the frost-free area follow. While tropical gladioli end their flower festival in August, dwarf varieties, the Nanus line and wild species last until September. Resourceful hobby gardeners extend the flowering period by planting the tubers at different times from the end of April to mid-June.read more
Cut gladioli correctly
Professional pruning at the right time contributes significantly to the long lifespan of gladiolus tubers. To ensure that the flowers grow vigorously in every season for many years, the withered flower stems 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 stems hand-width above the ground. The stub later acts as a handle to pull the tubers out of the ground before winter.read more
Watering gladioli
Impressive flowers, such as gladioli, evaporate a lot of 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, water is applied directly to the root disc. This is more common in the pot than in the bed.
Fertilize gladioli properly
A balanced organic nutrient supply meets the needs of gladiolus excellently. Fertilize the flowers every 2 weeks from May until the end of the flowering period with compost, bark humus, leaf mold or guano. In the pot, the magnificent specimens enjoy a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 14 days.
Wintering
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-resistant varieties they are laid out to dry for 1-2 days. Now the remaining soil and dried plant parts can be easily removed. Throughout the cold season, the gladiolus bulbs stay well stored in a wooden box filled with a mix of soil and sand. Alternatively, wrap the tubers in newspaper and place them on a rack. The location is dark, airy and frost-free, with temperatures not exceeding 10-12 degrees Celsius. During wintering, the tubers receive neither water nor fertilizer.
The hardy gladiolus species are an exception. Wild and dwarf varieties can remain in the ground if a thick protective layer of leaves, brushwood or garden fleece keeps the rigors of winter at bay.read more
Propagate gladioli
Get the flower tubers out of the ground after the first frost and have an abundance of vital propagating material in your hands. Well-established gladioli develop numerous breeding tubers. These are cut off with a sharp, disinfected knife. While the mother tubers overwinter in the cool, dark cellar, grow the daughter tubers. This is how it works:
- Fill small pots with lean soil, such as pricking substrate or cactus soil
- Plant the onions about 8 cm deep with the flat side down at a distance of 10 cm
- Water regularly in a bright, warm window seat without causing waterlogging
From the end of April/beginning of May, plant the young plants in the bed together with the overwintered mother tubers.read more
Gladiolus in a pot
It is primarily dwarf gladioli and small-growing flowers of the Nanus line that display themselves decoratively in the pot. With a suitable support, the mighty noble gladioli will also show off in the pot on the sunny, warm and protected balcony. Plant the tubers about 10 cm deep in loose potting soil from the beginning of April. To prevent waterlogging due to their high watering requirements, insert a few pieces of pottery or pebbles between the bottom opening and the substrate as drainage. The beauties are fertilized with liquid fertilizer every 14 days until the end of the flowering period. It is best to only cut off the wilted flower candles when they are completely absorbed.
Once the gladioli have finished their summer flower festival in the pot, take the tubers out of the ground. After they 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 soil, the flower tubers spend the winter in a dark, cool location.read more
Is gladioli poisonous?
The enchanting flowers are the ideal candidates to decorate the summer family garden. Gladioli are not poisonous to children or adults. However, the components of the tubers for pets are an exception. Various veterinary clinics classify the flower bulbs as slightly toxic, as symptoms of poisoning have been observed in cats and dogs after consumption.read more
Gladiolus not blooming
It is usually negligence in care and choice of location that prevent gladiolus flowers from blooming. We have put together the most common causes and possible solutions for you here:
- Location too dark: place the flowers in a sunny and warm place
- Too wet, compacted soil: Optimize the soil with sand, compost, leaf mold or perlite
- Drought stress: Water the summer flowers as soon as the soil surface has dried
- Nutrient deficiency: Fertilize the bed every 2 weeks with compost (€459.00 on Amazon), rock dust and horn shavings; in a pot with liquid fertilizer
Seedling-propagated gladioli, as well as flowers grown from breeding tubers, bloom no earlier than 3 years.
How do I cut gladiolus correctly for the vase?
The flowers will give you long-lasting pleasure as vase decorations if you cut off the flower candles when they are in bud. Only the buds in the lower stem area should already show color. Place the scissors at a slight angle under the first bud. To ensure that the flowers sprout again, a few leaves should remain in the bed.read more
Beautiful 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 highly sought after by florists thanks to its density of flowers; Growth height 40-60 cm
- Spitfire: A Nanus gladiolus whose scarlet flowers have yellow and purple spots; Growth height 40-50 cm
- Esspresso: The variety impresses with burgundy red goblet flowers and a long flowering period; Growth height 60-70 cm
- Priscilla: Enchanting flower variety whose white flowers are outlined in delicate pink; Growth height 60-70 cm
- Wild Gladiolus: These flowers score points with their carmine-red flowers and robust winter hardiness; Growth height 70 cm
