The Latest Guide to Gladiolus Cultivation Methods and Precautions

The scientific name of gladiolus is Gladiolus, and it is not an orchid, but a bulbous plant belonging to the Iridaceae family. It is a flowering plant with many varieties, brilliant flower colors, a long flowering period, and high ornamental value. So how should gladiolus be cultivated? Below, let's take a look with the editor at the cultivation methods and precautions for gladiolus.

1. Soil Selection

When cultivating gladiolus, it is best to choose deep, fertile, loose sandy soil with good drainage, aeration, and no easy water accumulation. In addition, pay attention to the soil pH value, which should preferably not exceed, with slightly acidic soil being best.

2. Light and Temperature Requirements

Gladiolus prefers a warm and humid climate, dislikes high temperatures and intense summer heat, and is not cold-tolerant. The suitable growth temperature is 20-25 degrees. When the soil temperature rises above 5 degrees in early spring, the corms can sprout, and growth is inhibited when the summer temperature exceeds 35 degrees. Gladiolus generally blooms 3 months after planting, but the cultivation cycle is greatly affected by temperature. The higher the temperature during the growth period, the shorter the cultivation cycle. In terms of light, gladiolus adapts to sunny environments and is a typical long-day plant. Flower bud differentiation occurs only under light conditions of more than 14 hours per day. After flower bud differentiation, short-day conditions can also promote flower bud growth and early flowering.

3. Fertilizer and Water Management

Gladiolus is a flowering plant that loves fertilizer. After planting, pay attention to timely fertilization. Generally, fertilization is needed 3-4 times per month. When fertilizing, be careful not to apply too much nitrogen fertilizer, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as appropriate to enhance flower bud differentiation and bulb nutrition. After flowering, use superphosphate extract as a top dressing, which can promote the growth and fullness of new corms. Gladiolus should be fertilized at least 3 times during the growth period: the first time after the second leaf unfolds, the second time at the 4-leaf stage, and the third time after flowering, with increased phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to prevent lodging. Before emergence, gladiolus should be watered less once every 10 days. After the seedlings are full, do not let them dry out, otherwise the leaf tips will turn yellow. When watering gladiolus, control the amount. Too much water easily causes root fertilizer damage, while lack of water often causes wilting, and the plant still cannot recover after watering, bending into a "zigzag" shape, which affects its appearance.

4. Precautions

For gladiolus corm harvesting and storage, after the inflorescence is picked, the underground corms grow rapidly and can generally be harvested in about 45 days. At this time, the leaves begin to yellow and wither. When all the leaves have yellowed and withered, the daughter corms around the large corm will also all fall off, which is very unfavorable for harvesting, so timely harvesting is necessary. The suitable temperature for gladiolus growth and development generally does not exceed 27 degrees, so in summer high temperatures, pay attention to ventilation and shading to avoid plant aging and degeneration caused by excessively high temperatures.

  The above is an introduction to the cultivation methods and precautions for gladiolus. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.