When to dig up gladioli - harvesting tubers in the fall
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Gladioli are a highlight in any garden, thanks to the bright and large flowers of an unusual shape. On the other hand, gladioli are simple flowers to grow as they adapt easily to different types of soil. However, in order to enjoy summer bloom, you need to know whether to dig out different types of gladioli for the winter, when and how to do it.
Gladiolus is a perennial plant in the Iridaceae family. It is a very common genus native to Asia, Europe and Africa.
Specifications
Types of gladioli differ from each other in shape, size, color and appearance of flowers. It is a bulbous plant that is not grown from seed other than the production of new varieties. Its name comes from the Latin word "gladius", which means sword.
Gladioli in the garden
In botanical terminology, gladioli bulbs are called "corm", or corms. Corm is a shortened and thickened section of the stem surrounded by several layers of brownish fibrous membranes. A young corm is formed annually, drawing nutrients from the old, then dying off.
The stems of the plant are erect, up to 1 m high, densely surrounded by leaves, long, leathery, with a slightly pointed end, of bright green color.
Inflorescences of gladiolus
Fragrant spike of gladiolus inflorescence consists of large, in most species - one-sided flowers that are bisexual. Each flower has two leathery green bracts. Sepals and petals are combined into a tubular structure. Stamens are attached to the base of the funnel-shaped perianth. The color of the flowers is varied: from white, yellow, pale pink to ruby red and purple, sometimes they are multi-colored, as in the case of hybrid varieties.
Growing gladioli
Taking care of gladioli is quite simple. When creating comfortable conditions for plants, they generously endow gardeners with luxurious flowers.
What to look for:
- Landing site. Gladioli love places in full sun and sheltered from the winds;
- The soil. They prefer moist, loose, well-drained soils rich in organic matter;
- Watering. It is carried out regularly during the flowering period and throughout the summer season (about twice a week). However, you should avoid getting moisture on flowers, even if they have not yet blossomed. The optimal way of watering is in the grooves dug next to the plant to a depth of 5 cm;
- Top dressing. Need periodic feeding with complex fertilizers for flowering plants, diluted in water for irrigation. Preferable to feed before flowering.
Another feature when caring for gladioli is to remove weeds in time, as they take away some of the nutrients intended for the flowers.
Bouquet of gladioli
If gladioli are cut to make bouquets, then it is better to do this when 2-3 blossoming flowers appear. Cutting time - early in the morning or in the evening.It is better to cut diagonally, leaving 4-6 leaves on the stem remaining in the ground. Leaves are essential for proper corm formation.
Ideal time to harvest bulbs
What to do next with plants when gladioli have faded? Unfortunately, most species are not resistant to frost and must be dug up. The climatic conditions of cultivation determine when to dig up gladioli. In general, you should be guided by the air temperature and the time limits of the flowering period of the plant.
The optimal time for excavation in the temperate zone is mid-September, even if the leaves are still green. In this case, about 6 weeks should pass after flowering, the ambient temperature drops to about 10 ° C.
Exposing the bulbs to the ground for too long can lead to their infection with various diseases and possible pest attacks.
Cleaning weather
Dig on a dry sunny day to keep the ground dry. The bulbs are then easily cleaned and less likely to be damaged.
Step-by-step digging process
Digging is the basic procedure to do with gladioli after flowering. When the time comes, you need to take a shovel or a pitchfork and perform sequential actions:
- The blade of the working tool must be immersed in the ground carefully, trying not to tilt so as not to cut the bulbs;
- Dig up the plant and gently remove it from the soil by pulling on the stem. Shake off excess soil. If the soil is stuck, it is recommended to rinse with warm water;
- Prepare an oilcloth or polyethylene film to lay the dug gladioli on it. This way you can find all the bulbs, including babies;
Excavated gladioli
- Remove the old bottom of the corm. If it is ripe, then it is easy to do. Otherwise, let it sit for ripening and drying;
- Trim the roots;
- Rinse and treat the bulbs with a strong solution of potassium permanganate (2-5 g per 10 liters of water). Keep in solution for at least half an hour.
- Then the stem is cut with a sharp secateurs. You can leave no more than 1-2 cm so that the thrips, possibly present on the yellow stem, do not pass under the scales of the bulbs, where they can safely survive the winter.
What gladioli are not dug up in the fall
Sometimes you can find gladioli on sale, which, according to rumors spreading among gardeners, is not necessary to dig. If you buy such gladioli, how to store and when to dig them out will not be a problem. However, this is not always true.
Miniature varieties with small flowers are often considered winter-hardy. This is a misconception. All hybrid varieties of gladioli do not tolerate Russian winters in the ground.
Only some types of gladioli can be frost-resistant. They are practically not on sale.
Frost-resistant types of gladioli:
- Scratched (Gladíolus imbricatus). In the temperate climate of Russia, it is able to grow without digging;
- Sowing (Gladíolus segetum);
- Common (Gladíolus communis);
- Byzantine (Gladíolus byzantinus).
Gladíolus imbricatus
As for the last three, although they belong to the hardy species, in Russian conditions there is no guarantee of their successful wintering without digging up.
Storage preparation
After harvesting gladioli in the fall and processing the tubers, proper storage will ensure their successful spring germination. Preparatory activities are carried out well in advance.
Drying and sorting tubers
Drying is carried out in two stages:
- The tubers are placed for 7-12 days in a well-ventilated place at a temperature of 23-28 ° C. They are turned over 2 times daily to dry evenly. This is a very important process on which plant health and bulb germination depend. Sick and damaged specimens are discarded and immediately burned;
- At the next stage, the storage temperature is lowered to 18-20 ° C, so the tubers are kept for a month.
Different bulbs of gladioli
In conclusion, the corms are cleaned, but the outer, tight-fitting scales are not removed, especially from children.
Then the corms are sorted. Children are placed in paper bags. Large bulbs are placed in cardboard containers, preferably, avoiding contact with each other. You can also sort by placing large and medium corms in separate boxes. If the second layer is placed, then after the laying of newsprint. Pouring ashes and placing peeled cloves of garlic in a box is allowed.
How to store bulbs at home
When the corms are prepared, then you need to decide how to store gladioli in winter. There are several ways to preserve the bulbs before planting in the spring.
Optimal storage conditions for gladioli:
- temperature - 3-6 ° С;
- air humidity - within the range of 65-80%;
- lack of light.
When humidity is low, corms can dry out excessively by spring. In this case, they are soaked before planting.
How long does the bulb last
Providing ideal parameters, the tubers are calmly stored until spring planting and can even lie for another year. But the healthiest plants will grow from them if stored for only one winter season.
In the ground
The method is not suitable for cold climates, it is more acceptable for southern regions.
Before storing gladioli bulbs in the ground, you should choose an area that should not be flooded, and where the soil has a loose structure.
A hole 0.7x0.8 m is dug in the soil, containers with prepared bulbs, sprinkled with sawdust or sand, are installed there, which should not be wet. The containers are filled with dry leaves or grass, covered with polyethylene film and covered with soil.
In bags or stockings
If your home has a cool, dark room, it is convenient to store the bulbs in synthetic stockings. So they will be provided with open air access. Stockings filled with tubers are tied and fixed to the wall.
Corms in a stocking
On the balcony
A closed loggia or balcony is a suitable storage place for tubers. Meanwhile, in frosty weather, insulation is indispensable. For this, containers with gladioli are wrapped in blankets.
In the basement or cellar
In the basement or cellar, there are good conditions for keeping corms, but it is important to follow a number of rules:
- do not place bulbs near vegetables and fruits, because the air humidity there may become excessive;
- boxes are installed on shelves or grates to provide the maximum possible ventilation;
- the basement or cellar should not be too damp, it is better if ventilation is installed there.
Stored gladiolus bulbs
In fridge
This method, as you can store gladioli at home in winter, is suitable in the absence of a place with optimal characteristics. If the number of bulbs is small, each is wrapped in a paper sheet and placed in a cloth bag. The best storage location is away from the freezer.
Storing bulbs in the refrigerator
Treatment of tubers from diseases and pests
Gladioli are susceptible to disease and are often attacked by harmful insects.Bacteria and fungi can be found in the soil, and, for example, thrips live on the plant in summer, moving into bulbs in winter. This necessitates processing the tubers before storing them.
Autumn disinfection of gladiolus bulbs
Autumn disinfection consists of immersing the bulbs in a strong solution of potassium permanganate, which can be replaced with fungicide treatment.
Soaking gladioli in potassium permanganate
To carry out prophylaxis against harmful insects, after the potassium permanganate or fungicide, the bulbs can be dipped in a solution of karbofos or another insecticide.
Pest infestation during storage
The main diseases that develop during the storage of gladioli are associated with rotting of corms. Almost all pathogens are resistant to low temperatures, but they thrive especially well in high humidity.
Therefore, periodic inspections are mandatory, during which rotten and damaged specimens are removed. If they are not discarded in time, neighboring corms will quickly become infected. The presence of peeled cloves of garlic in a container of gladioli will also help fight harmful microorganisms due to its bactericidal properties. They need to be replaced with fresh ones every 2-3 weeks.
Timely digging and adherence to simple storage rules will allow healthy and strong bulbs to be planted in the spring. From them will grow magnificent gladioli, which will decorate the garden with their bright flowering and, when cut, will add charm to the room interior.
