Incredible gladiolus flower, of course, wants to get many gardeners on their site. But many are afraid, because they think that such a "resident" is demanding and will not get accustomed. This is an erroneous opinion, because planting and caring for a gladiolus is quite simple work. At observance of some nuances the flower will please you with the beauty not one year.
Preparing for planting
Before planting gladioluses on a site it is necessary to choose and prepare bulbs. They should not be dry or stained, because such people do not get accustomed to the earth. In addition, the bulbs should release a small outgrowth of a juicy green color. Put the bulbs in a warm, but not sunny place for two weeks so that they wake up. After waking up the plant will be ready for planting.
Planting and care for gladiolus
Prepared gladiolus bulbs are buried in the ground in mid-April, when the soil is slightly dried and warmed. The soil must be weakly acidic or neutral, ideal chernozem. Between the holes for gladioli should be a distance of more than 15 cm.
Care after gladiolus after planting is simple and any gardener will be able to. It is important to maintain soil moisture, but do not overdo it. Water should be every three days with about five liters of water per bulb. In the summer - every two days. Be sure to loosen the soil after watering, so that the bulbs of the plant do not start rotting.
You need to feed the gladiolus every three weeks, during the flowering period - every two weeks. This is done by nitrogen or mineral mixtures. A layer of humus or peat near the base of the flower and will improve the soil, and protect from pests.
If you understand how to grow gladioli and do it right, you will receive a beautiful, graceful ornament in the garden instead.
Autumn Gladiolus
In the autumn the planting and care of the gladiolus is coming to an end. Now you have to take care of the plant before the winter period. In September, your gladiolus will be already quite high and will please flowering. At this time near the base of the flower you need to put small pegs, so that the stem does not break from the weight of the buds.
Autumn is the time when you need to remove gladioli from the site and prepare for the winter. Usually it is done in the first ten days of autumn, the earlier - the better. In mid-September you need to dig gladioli. Do not wait until the plant begins to dry out, start preparing the bulbs for the winter in the flowering period. To do this, do the following:
- Cut all the inflorescences of the gladiolus so that a few leaves remain around the post. Then the nutrients of the leaves will go to the bulb, and not into the buds. That is why the cut is made during the flowering period, otherwise the flowers will suck out all the useful elements, and the bulbs will begin to dry up.
- When the leaves start to lose a juicy color, you need to dig them out. Remember that you can not pull bulbs from the ground.
- Cut off the column and leaves, leaving a small stump.
- Disassemble the bulbs in grades. Gladiolus, which bloomed with red buds should not be confused with yellow or white.
- Select healthy and young bulbs. If you notice a small spot or exfoliation, discard.
- Place the bulbs in a warm place for two weeks so that they "go to sleep"
- Fold the "sleeping" bulbs in several paper bags (for each individual variety) and send it to the cellar until spring.
After you sent the bulbs to the cellar, you need to do some earthwork.
Once in two weeks, look at the bulbs, because some can begin to hurt or just spoil. It can harm all gladioli that are near. Those bulbs that started to let the "kids" place in a humid environment, but warm. A patient - throw it away.