When the mighty blossom candles sway in the summer wind, it is the inimitable gladioli to which we owe the splendor of colour. Obligatory in the cottage garden, magical in the flower bed, they adorn the home, not least as cut flowers, for what feels like an eternity. Do you still have questions about cultivation on your mind? Then we have the right answer for you here.

Gladioli bloom in many different colors

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant gladioli properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. What is the best planting time?
  7. When is flowering time?
  8. Cut gladioli properly
  9. Water gladioli
  10. Fertilize gladioli properly
  11. hibernate
  12. increase gladioli
  13. Gladioli in a pot
  14. Are gladioli poisonous?
  15. Gladiolus does not bloom
  16. How do I properly cut gladioli for the vase?
  17. Beautiful varieties

    18. Plant gladioli properly

    If the danger of frost is coming to an end from 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. Dig small pits with a maximum depth of 12 cm in nutritious, humus-rich and sandy-loamy soil. Spread out an approx. 2 cm thick layer of sand as drainage. It is an advantage for the flowers if the excavation is enriched with sifted compost and a handful of rock dust.(14.13€) Place the flower tubers with the flat side facing downwards a maximum of 10 cm deep in the ground. After the planting site has been watered with a fine spray, we recommend a layer of mulch made of leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch.
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    care tips

    Gladioli create an aura of tropical opulence in the summer garden when the flowers are given this care routine:

    • Water whenever the soil surface has dried
    • Fertilize organically or with liquid every 2 weeks from May until the end of the flowering period
    • Only cut off the flower candles when they are completely withered

    When the mercury falls below freezing for the first time in the fall, pull the tubers out of the ground. Clean and dry, place them in a wooden box with soil and sand, or wrap the onions thickly in newspaper. Until the next season, the gladioli bulbs remain in a dark, frost-free and dry place.
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    Which location is suitable?

    Gladioli are among the sun worshipers in the summer flower garden. They savor every ray of sunshine to bring out even more lush blossom candles. In view of an average growth height of 100 cm, the desire for a wind-protected location is just as pronounced. So that the proud flowering columns do not buckle, they are either placed in front of a protective southern wall, along a fence that provides support, or you simply tie the flower stems. An annual change of location is important to note. Where the flowers are planted in the same spot every year, soil fatigue is so detrimental that they bloom only in a dull white.
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    The right planting distance

    Gladiolus stage a picturesque appearance wonderfully in larger groups with 5 to 10 flowers. We recommend a planting distance of 15 cm so that there is neither a tight squeeze nor empty gaps. Cultivated in large tubs, 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 of particular relevance. The most important attributes are rich in humus, with first-class drainage and a slightly sandy consistency. For pot culture, therefore, a structurally stable potting soil comes into consideration, enriched with a handful of quartz sand and some perlite (€37.51) for the best permeability.

    What is the best planting time?

    A qualified decision for the best planting time depends on the cultivated gladioli species. Since the flower beauties mostly come from the warm regions of Africa, they cannot endure temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Noble gladioli and their conspecifics are therefore not planted until the end of April/beginning of May. For the few hardy wild and dwarf varieties, the time window for planting in autumn is wide open during the months of August and September.
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    When is flowering time?

    The wild gladiolus heralds the flowering period in May, because it can remain in the bed throughout the winter and starts accordingly early. In June and July, the non-hardy flowers follow, which remain in frost-free quarters. While tropical noble gladioli end their bloom festival in August, dwarf varieties, the Nanus line and wild species last into September. Resourceful hobby gardeners extend the flowering period by planting the bulbs at different times from the end of April to mid-June.
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    Cut gladioli properly

    The professional cut at the right time contributes significantly to the long life of gladioli bulbs. In order for the flowers to sprout vigorously in every season for many years, the withered flower stalks and leaves must not be cut off too early. Allow sufficient time for the subterranean outlasting organ to assimilate and store the remaining nutrients from the above-ground parts of the plant. Only then cut the stalks hand-breadth above the ground. The stub later acts as a handle to pull the tubers out of the ground before winter.
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    Water gladioli

    Imposing flowers, such as gladioli, evaporate a lot of moisture through their magnificent blossoms and foliage. Take this fact into account, especially during the summer, by watering regularly. As soon as the substrate surface has dried, the root disc is watered immediately. This is more often the case in the tub than in the bed.

    Fertilize gladioli properly

    A balanced supply of organic nutrients meets the needs of gladioli perfectly. Fertilize the flowers every 2 weeks from May until the end of the flowering period with compost, bark humus, leaf soil or guano.

    hibernate

    Once the first frosts have set in 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. During the cold season, the gladiolus bulbs stay safe in a wooden box filled with a mix of earth and sand. Alternatively, wrap the tubers in newspaper and place them on a wire rack. The location is dark, airy and frost-free, with temperatures not exceeding 10-12 degrees Celsius. During hibernation, the tubers receive neither water nor fertilizer.

    The hardy gladioli 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.
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    increase gladioli

    If you get the bulbs out of the ground after the first frost, you have plenty of vital propagation material in your hands. Well-established gladioli develop numerous corms. These are cut off with a sharp, disinfected knife. While the mother tubers hibernate in the cool, dark basement, drive the daughter tubers forward. How to do it:

    • Fill small pots with lean soil, such as transplanting soil or cactus soil
    • Plant the onions about 8 cm deep with the flat side down at a distance of 10 cm
    • Water regularly at the bright, warm window seat without causing waterlogging

    From the end of April/beginning of May, plant the young plants that have been pushed out together with the overwintered mother tubers in the bed.
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    Gladioli in a pot

    It is primarily dwarf gladioli and small-growing flowers of the Nanus line that are decorative in pots. With a suitable support, the mighty noble gladioli also show off in the bucket on the sunny, warm and sheltered balcony. Plant the tubers about 10 cm deep in loose potting soil from the beginning of April. To prevent waterlogging in view of their high watering requirements, insert some potsherds 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 not to cut off the withered flower candles until they have completely retracted.

    Once the gladioli have finished their summer flowering festival in the pot, pull the tubers out of the ground. After these have dried for 1-2 days, remove the last remains of substrate and plants. 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 bulbs spend the winter in a dark, cool location.
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    Are gladioli poisonous?

    The enchanting flowers are the ideal candidates to decorate the summer family garden. Gladioli are not poisonous to children or adults. An exception, however, are the components of the tubers for pets. Various veterinary clinics classify the flower bulbs as slightly toxic, since symptoms of poisoning have been observed in cats and dogs after consumption.
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    Gladiolus does not bloom

    It is mostly failures in care and in the choice of location that prevent a gladiolus from blooming. We have compiled the most common causes and possible solutions for you here:

    • Location that is too dark: place the flowers in a sunny and warm place
    • Too wet, compacted soil: Optimize the soil with sand, compost, leaf compost 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, rock flour and horn shavings; in a pot with liquid fertilizer

    Seedling-propagated gladioli, as well as flowers grown from brood tubers, bloom no earlier than 3 years.

    How do I properly cut gladioli for the vase?

    The flowers will give you pleasure as a vase decoration for a long time if you cut off the blossom candles when they are in bud. Only the buds in the lower stem area should already show colour. Position the scissors at a slight angle under the first bud. In order for the flowers to sprout again, a few leaves should remain in the bed.
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    Beautiful varieties

    • Coral Lace: Fantastically beautiful butterfly gladiolus with pink and white flowers from July; Growth height 80-100 cm
    • Rubra: The crimson dwarf variety is in great demand among florists thanks to its flower density; Growth height 40-60 cm
    • Spitfire: A Nanus gladiolus whose scarlet flowers are flecked with yellow and purple; Growth height 40-50 cm
    • Esspresso: The variety impresses with burgundy calyx flowers and a long flowering period; Growth height 60-70 cm
    • Priscilla: An enchanting variety of flowers with white flowers edged in soft pink; Growth height 60-70 cm
    • Wild Gladiolus: These flowers score with crimson flower spikes and robust hardiness; Growth height 70 cm

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Vegetable garden