Gladiolus (Green) - Bulbs
Description for Gladiolus (Green)
Gladiolus plants grow wonderfully in the warm weather of summer. You can produce these flowers in sequence by planting some corms every few weeks or so.
Their stems are generally unbranched with sword-shaped leaves. The flower spikes are large and one-sided with green bracts and tepals.
The plants bloom in midsummer; however, you can prolong the bloom period by choosing early, mid, and late season types and staggering planting times. Height ranges from 2 to 4 feet.
| Common name | Flower colours | Bloom time | Height | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sword lily | Green | Summer through the first frost | Up to 4 feet | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Gladiolus plants grow wonderfully in the warm weather of summer. You can produce these flowers in sequence by planting some corms every few weeks or so. You should start your planting of your gladiolus in mid-spring.
You have to plant the gladiolus deeper than usual because they have a tall sheaf of leaves. This will help anchor them against strong winds that might blow them over to the ground. Keep 5 to 6 inches between planting.
| Sunlight | Soil | Water | Temperature | Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full sun | Gladiolus prefer well-drained and even sandy soil | If you get less than 1 inch of rain a week, water your plants regularly throughout the summer. Otherwise, water them moderately when in growth to keep the soil moist. | Minimum 10 degrees C and above | Use N-P-K fertilizer at the ratio 5-10-10 or 5-10-5. |
Caring for Gladiolus
- Put a 2 to 4 inches layer of mulch around your gladioli to keep your soil moist and help prevent weeds.
- If you get less than 1 inch of rain a week, water your plants regularly throughout the summer.
- Otherwise, water them moderately when in growth to keep the soil moist.
- Remove the faded/dead flowers to ensure continuous growth. Once all the flowers on a stalk have gone, cut off the stalk.
- Be sure to leave the plant intact so it can mature and rejuvenate the corms for the next season.
Harvesting
You can cut blooms for bouquets, flower spikes should be cut on a slant when the lowest flowers on the stalk begin to show color. When cutting the flower stalk, leave at least four leaves on the plant to feed the corm for next year blooms.
Typical uses of Gladiolus
Special features: Flowers
Culinary use: NA
Ornamental use: Gladiolus plants are a lovely addition to any garden.
Medicinal use: NA
References
- http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
- http://gardeningwithcharlie.com/how-to-grow-gladiolus.html
- http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-gladiolus-after-blooms-67472.html
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