How to grow gladiolus? Detailed growing methods and tips
Gladiolus, also known as sword lily, is not an orchid; it is a bulbous plant in the iris family (Iridaceae).
Ecological habits: a light-loving long-day plant; when grown in winter, light must be increased on cloudy days; it fears cold and freezing. The suitable growing temperature is 20—25°C during the day and 10—15°C at night. Corms that have passed the dormant period sprout at 4—5°C; when grown in winter, plants are killed by freezing at a low temperature of 0°C. It is not tolerant of waterlogging, and the growing site must not accumulate water. It prefers fertile, well-drained sandy loam, with a pH of 5.6—6.5 being best.
1. Characteristics and traits
The plant height is 80-170 cm; the corm is flattened-round or oval, with ring-like nodes. Leaves are 6-9 in number, sword-shaped. The inflorescence is a scorpioid umbel, bearing 8-24 flowers, and the blooms are large. Gladiolus prefers cool conditions, is not cold-tolerant, and fears intense heat; it requires loose, fertile, moist, well-drained soil. The optimum growing temperature is 20-25°C during the day and 10-15°C at night. Gladiolus is a long-day plant, with 16 hours of light per day being most suitable.
2. Varieties
Gladiolus is a multi-origin, multi-generation hybrid, and there is still no universally recognized unified species name. There are many classification methods for gladiolus: by flowering period it can be divided into spring-flowering types and summer-flowering types; by flower arrangement it can be divided into regular types and irregular types; by flower size it can be divided into giant-flowered types, medium-flowered types, and small-flowered types; by flower shape it can be divided into trumpet type, lotus type, swallow type, and so on.
[How to grow sword lily]
1. Soil selection for growing sword lily
It grows well on deep, loose, fertile, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5) sandy loam, and the soil must remain moist during the growing period.
2. Fertilization methods for growing sword lily
Sword lily is a flowering plant that loves fertilizer, and timely fertilization should be paid attention to after planting. Generally, 3-4 applications per month of decomposed human manure and urine fertilizer at a ratio of 4:6 can be given. When fertilizing, note that nitrogen fertilizer must not be too much, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied appropriately to enhance flower bud differentiation and corm nutrition. After flowering, superphosphate extract used as a top dressing can promote the growth and plumpness of new corms.
During the growing period, sword lily should be fertilized at least 3 times. The first time is after 2 leaves have unfolded; the second time is at the 4-leaf stage; the third time is after flowering. Apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and less nitrogen fertilizer to avoid lodging. After flowering, when more than 1/3 of the leaves turn yellow and withered, the corms should be lifted and dried in the sun. Then store them in a low-temperature, dry place.
3. Watering methods for growing sword lily
Before the seedlings emerge, water once every 10 days. After the seedlings are fully emerged, never let them dry out, otherwise the leaf tips easily turn yellow. After the flower spike appears, they must not suffer drought even more; in summer when there is no rain, water once every 4 days. After flowering, watering should be stopped to prolong the flowering period.Watering sword lily requires controlling the amount; too much water easily causes root rot, while lack of water often causes the flower spike to wilt and droop, and after watering it still cannot recover but bends into a "zigzag" shape, affecting its appearance.
4. Temperature requirements for growing sword lily
Sword lily likes a warm, humid climate, avoids high temperatures and intense heat, and is not cold-tolerant; the most suitable temperature for growth is 20-25°C. In early spring, when the soil temperature is above 5°C, the corm can sprout; in summer, when the air temperature is above 35°C, growth is inhibited.
Sword lily generally blooms about 3 months after planting, but the cultivation cycle is greatly affected by the temperature during the growing period. The higher the temperature during the growing period, the shorter the cultivation cycle. For example, when the average temperature during the growing period is 12°C, sword lily takes 110-120 days from planting to flowering; when the average temperature reaches 15°C, it takes only 90-100 days; at 20°C, it takes 70-80 days; when it reaches 25°C, the cultivation cycle is only 60-70 days.
5. Light requirements for growing sword lily
Sword lily adapts to a sunny environment with sufficient light. Sword lily is a typical long-day plant, and flower bud differentiation can occur only under light conditions of more than 14 hours; after flower bud differentiation, short-day conditions can promote flower bud growth and early flowering. Generally, from planting corms to flowering takes about 70-75 days, varying by variety, and a few varieties take more than 80 days.Editor's conclusion: The above has introduced how to grow sword lily for everyone, and we hope it is helpful to you.
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