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In this practical guide from Green Ecologist we want to tell you a little more about this spectacular flowering plant. This plant is actually a whole genus of perennial bulbs in the Iridaceae family. Normally used as an ornamental plant, it requires specific care to achieve abundant flowering every year. In addition, there are more than 250 varieties approximately, with different sizes of spike, color of the flowers and size of the same. If you want to have a touch of color in your home or garden, do not miss the rest of the information and advice that we offer below about the gladiolus care.
Gladioli: characteristics
These are the main characteristics of the genre Gladiolus:
- They are native to the Middle East, southern Africa and southern Europe.
- Its "bulbs" are actually called corms.
- Its flower spikes display a wide range of colors. These range from warm, reddish and yellowish tones, to colder tones such as purples and purples-
- The flowers can also have a great variety of sizes
- The plant reaches heights of up to one and a half meters.
- Like most bulbs it is a genus of perennials.
- Its flowering usually occurs between the summer and autumn months.
- They are temperate plants.
If you like this type of plants, we recommend you to know these 15 bulb plants: names, characteristics and photos.
Gladioli: care - practical guide
In summary, these are the basic care of gladioli:
- Light: the vast majority of gladioli need a great deal of light.
- Climate: its ideal temperature ranges from 10ºC to 24ºC.
- Soil: sandy, with very good drainage
- Irrigation: moderate, abundant in its early stages
- Subscriber: from when the plant reaches a height of 25 cm and once again at the beginning of flowering.
- Trained: the tallest species need it.
Light and weather
Gladioli, being a plant typical of temperate climates as is the case in the Mediterranean where they flourish spectacularly, they need to receive a constant sunlight. In fact, in the case of not receiving it, it is very possible that it does not produce any flower. However, if we are in a climate with high temperatures, we recommend placing the plant in a place where semi-shadow so that it is not always exposed to sunlight, since this can not only damage the flowers but also the stems. Therefore, it will be better if the plant remains covered during the hours of greatest solar intensity.
As we have commented above, the majority of species of this genus are found in optimal conditions in a range of temperatures that goes from 10ºC to 24ºC. Therefore, they are temperate plants. Although there are exceptions, as is the case of Gladious nanus, which can withstand temperatures typical of colder climates, although not extreme.
Gladiolus soil
These plants can adapt to a large number of soil types, as long as they offer good drainage. If what we want is to provide optimal conditions, our gladioli will appreciate having a sandy and loose soil. If you do not have a soil of these characteristics, it will be enough to locate your gladioli in a place where vegetables have grown.
Watering the gladioli
The gladiolus watering it should only be abundant in the early stages growth of the plant. In this phase we must prevent the soil from drying out completely at any time. After the initial stage, the waterings should be reduced somewhat, although it is important that the plant does not have water deficiencies before flowering, since if this is the case, it may not flower. For this, it is important to adequate soil drainage, which allows us to provide constant risks without ever flooding.
You can consult this other article to learn more about When to water the plants.
Compost for gladioli
Gladioli will grow much more vital in soils enriched with organic compost such as compost. However, you should be careful to avoid using manure or chicken manure - these plants tend not to react well to it. Therefore, as always, the earthworm humus It will be one of our best allies in the cultivation of gladioli, since it contributes a large amount of nutrients to the soil in addition to favoring the development of beneficial microorganisms.
Here you can learn how to make worm castings.
Training and maintenance
It is very important to keep gladiolus soil free of weeds and adventitious plants, as these plants are not good at competing for nutrients. Also, taller species will need their flower pods to be guided or guided, since if they are not guided, they can bend and fall to the ground.
If you want to read more articles similar to Gladioli: care, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
