Contents of the article:
Since gladioli are bulbous plants, they need proper care. Therefore, planting and caring for gladioli in the open field require a careful approach. As a result, you get lush, bright flowers that color your land. Gladiolus - preparation for planting in the spring, read our article.
Planting gladioli
In order to grow tall, healthy flowers, you need to be patient. After all, it will not be enough just to plant gladioli in the ground - they need proper winter storage, culling, spring planting. And just like any other flowers, frequent watering and loosening, treatment if diseases are found, timely digging out of the ground. .. As a result, planting and caring for gladioli in the open field will take a lot of time. But it's worth it, because the results will surpass all your even the most daring expectations!
Selection of bulbs
Want to grow really smart, healthy flowers? It is best to select varieties taking into account the climate in which you live and the characteristics of the soil. Large bulb is the best choice. Its acclimatization will definitely be easier.
If you liked the young onion, then it can be purchased for further planting. However, she must have a high head and be outwardly healthy.
So, how can you determine that the bulb is healthy and fit for planting:
- Visually on the bulb should not be seen any ulcers, defects and painful lesions.
- The bulb must have a clean bottom, and if the roots have already appeared, they must be white.
- The scales on the surface should be reddish or shiny, but not gray.
- All the same scales should be easily removed, and where this is done, the bulb should be of the same color, without various pathogenic bands and spots.
- Where the stem was cut, the stump should have the color of scales. If it is blackened, then such an onion should be put aside.
Remember that the baby, which was acquired once, will need to be planted every year. Only in this case, you will always have new children at hand, with whom you can replace old bulbs.
The best place to grow
When planting and caring for gladioli in the open field, you should remember that these are heat-loving plants that need sunlight. That is why it is preferable to land them where the sun is a frequent guest. Of course, it will be possible to plant flowers in partial shade, but in this case we should not expect too early flowering.
The ideal place where you can stick the bulbs will be a small elevation. This is where kids will feel comfortable and will not die from an overabundance of moisture.
Soil Selection
The ideal option for gladioli is a weakly acid or neutral environment. The composition of this soil must include black soil, as well as a very small amount of sand or clay.
Optionally, for extra rich growth, you can add compost, but it must be rotted.
How is this done?
Before you place the bulbs in the ground, you need to clear them from scales, and then visually see each child. Even if the bulb is completely healthy, it is desirable to pre-soak it in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
It is desirable that the plant be planted in a slightly warmed land. Thus, the optimum temperature of the soil will be 8 degrees and above.
Before planting the bulb, you need to make small holes. Depending on the size, the childish distance should be from 10 to 15 cm. If you want the plant to appear as quickly as possible, you need to cover the ground with a film.
During planting you need to keep a minimum distance of 15 cm. As to the maximum distance, it is not limited - everything will depend on how you want to arrange your flower bed.
How to care for flowers?
Not to say that planting gladioli is too difficult. But some rules still have to be respected. So, after planting, it is desirable to perform mulching using compost, humus and sawdust.
Flowers love water, so it is advisable to water them at least 4 times a week. And in order for plants not to suffer from fungus, it is advisable to make grooves between them, into which water will be poured in the future. In this case, watering should be carried out in such a way that the water does not wet the leaves of the flower.
Do not forget about weeds, which can also damage the normal flowering of gladioli. So, on weeds slugs can start, taking away all the nutrients from flowers. Therefore, do not forget about the timely weeding.
With the advent of the second leaf on the stem and until the end of flowering, due attention should be paid to plant nutrition. So, the best option would be mineral preparations, which are injected in small doses during irrigation.
Timely dressing will not only give you beautiful and bright inflorescences, but also protect plants from diseases.
Cut off faded gladioli
In order to cut off a faded plant, it is enough to get a sharp knife or shears. In this case, in no case can not cut the flower "at the root" - should leave the stem with at least four leaves. As for the cut, it should be made at a 45 degree angle.
Storage Preparation
Once the bulbs are cut, they must be left in the ground for a period of from one month to 50 days, but no more, otherwise the earth will freeze and harm the children. It is necessary to dig out the bulb with the children very carefully, inserting a shovel to a depth of 30 cm and pulling the plant out of the leaves. In this case, the stem is cut, leaving 2 cm on a small stump.
The finished material should be rinsed under warm water and dried at room temperature for a week, and then for a month at 18 degrees. In the future, the bulb is stored all winter at a temperature not falling below 6 degrees.
If you follow all the above rules for planting and caring for gladiolus in the open field, you can get not only beautiful, lush inflorescences, but also healthy "offspring."
