Gladioli are usually known as magnificent flowering perennials in the bed and as grateful vase flowers. However, gladioli can also be cultivated in pots and decorate sparse balconies with their up to 1.50 meter long flowers.

Gladioli also thrive in pots

The right location

The gladiolus is a sun worshiper and loves warmth. A wind-protected balcony in full sun or a south-facing terrace is ideal for flowering the magnificent gladioli in the tub.

Place gladiolus bulbs in pots

The gladiolus bulbs are placed in planters that are not too small from May. Gladiolus prefer a loose and very nutrient-rich soil. Special flowering plant soil, which you can get in any well-stocked garden market, meets these requirements. Alternatively, you can use conventional balcony plant soil.

Plant the gladiolus bulbs as follows:

  • Only use pots with a water drain to avoid waterlogging.
  • Cover the drainage hole with a potsherd so that it doesn't get clogged with substrate.
  • Fill the bucket with soil and press down lightly.
  • Dig a planting hole with a narrow planting shovel that is about twice as deep as the size of the bulb.
  • Put the gladiolus bulbs in and cover with soil.

Water and fertilize the potted gladioli

Gladioli need a lot of water because on hot days they evaporate a lot of moisture through the flowers and leaves. In summer temperatures it may be necessary to water several times a day. However, do not overwater the gladiolus, only water when the soil surface feels dry. Immediately pour away any excess irrigation water in the saucer so that the onions do not start to rot.

Fertilize weekly with a fertilizer for flowering plants. Apply the remedy exactly as package directions so that the gladiolus is supplied with all the necessary nutrients.

After flowering

If you would like to enjoy the magnificent flowers next year, only the faded flower stalk is cut back first. The foliage stays on the bulb until autumn so that it can continue to grow and store the nutrients and trace elements it needs for the next year. Before winter, the bulbs are taken out of the pot and stored indoors.

tips

If you want the gladiolus bulbs to sprout very quickly, you can only put about a third of them into the ground. However, the onion will then not grow as firmly. In any case, tie the taut, upright flowering branch to a bamboo stick or the balcony railing.

Category:

Vegetable garden