Gladiolus Propagation Methods, Potted Gladiolus Growing Methods, and Flower Language and Meanings

(1) Division propagation.

Bulb division method: After the mother plant blooms, the underground corm shrinks and dries, and multiple cormels form beside or above the mother corm. Plant cormels 2 cm in diameter in a seedbed in spring and cultivate them for 2-3 years to develop into large corms, which can then serve as seed corms.

Cutting method: This is the method of cutting the corm and planting it. Cut the seed corm lengthwise and divide it into 2 or 4 pieces, each with at least 1 bud and part of the basal plate. Coat the cut surfaces with plant ash or charcoal powder to prevent rot. Plant after the cuts have dried; do not store them for long.

(2) Seed propagation.

This method is mostly used to breed new cultivars. Collect seeds in summer and autumn and sow them immediately after collection. The temperature must not be lower than 10°C, and the optimum temperature is about 20°C. The germination rate is relatively high. Move the seedlings into a greenhouse to overwinter, then transplant them outdoors in the second spring, and some plants can bloom in summer. Alternatively, after collecting seeds, dry and store them, sow and cultivate them in the second spring, dig up and store the young plants in autumn, plant them in the next spring, and some plants can bloom in summer and autumn.

(3) Tissue culture propagation.

Because gladiolus corm propagation suffers from serious quality degeneration and cultivar mixing, tissue culture can be used to improve corm quality and prevent cultivar degeneration. The method is to take lateral buds from the flower stalk or corm, peel off the green leaf sheath to expose the flower bud, disinfect it, and inoculate it as an explant on a culture medium. Corms begin to form after about 60 days, and corms can be obtained in 4-6 months.

How to propagate and cultivate gladiolus

Gladiolus is mainly propagated by corm division, and can also be propagated by corm cutting, sowing, and tissue culture. A corm lives for one year and is renewed once each year. That is, while the corm sends up leaves and blooms that year, a new corm swells and forms at the base of the flower stalk, and then the original mother corm gradually shrinks and dies. Cormels are produced at the base of the new corm, and the new corm and cormels can be removed and planted separately. Usually the new corm can bloom the following year, while cormels need another year of cultivation before they can bloom. In corm cutting propagation, each piece must carry more than 1 bud or part of the basal plate. Seed propagation is mostly used to breed new cultivars, and seeds should be sown immediately after collection.

For field planting, gladiolus should be grown in a sunny place with deep, fertile soil and good drainage. Before planting, plow the soil and apply base fertilizer. Usually raised beds or ridge planting are used. Planting density varies with corm size, generally with row spacing of 20-30 cm and plant spacing of 10-15 cm, and the soil covering standard is 2-3 times the height of the corm. To extend the flowering period, plant one batch every 10 days from late March to mid-to-late July, so that flowers can be enjoyed successively from summer to autumn. Flowers for winter and spring supply require greenhouse cultivation, and the growing period is more than 20-30 days longer than in summer.

Fertilizer and water management during the growing period is the key to making the plants bloom well and grow good corms. From planting until two leaves appear, do not water too much, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth that affects flower bud differentiation. From the start of stem elongation, water must not be lacking, and the soil should be kept moist. The flowering period is also the period when old and new corms begin to alternate, and water must not be lacking then either. After the flowers fade, gradually reduce watering, but do not let the soil become too dry, so as to ensure the needs of new corm growth. From mid-to-late September, as temperatures drop and plant growth slows, watering should be controlled.

At least 3 fertilizer applications should be made during the growing period. The first is after 2 leaves have unfolded, to promote growth and increase the number of flowers; the second is at the 4-leaf stage, to promote sturdy flower stalks and large blooms; the third is after flowering, to promote new corm development. Be careful to apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive, otherwise the plants are prone to lodging. In winter cultivation, pay attention to supplementing light. After flowering, when more than 1/3 of the leaves turn yellow and dry, the corms should be lifted immediately, the corms dried in the sun, and stored in a low-temperature, dry place. For home cultivation, a 26 cm diameter clay pot can be used. Choose fertile sandy loam, with pH 5.5-6.5 being best. You can also use 8 parts garden soil, 2 parts leaf mold, and mix in 2 spoonfuls of compound fertilizer.

The planting depth of gladiolus corms depends on corm size and soil properties. For large corms in loose soil, plant 8-10 cm deep; for small corms in clay soil, plant 6-8 cm deep. In production, open-field planting should choose sandy loam with good drainage, good ventilation, and sunshine, cultivated by deep plowing about 30 cm, with decomposed barnyard manure or compost as base fertilizer, plant spacing of 15-20 cm, and depth of 6-12 cm. Large corms are planted in holes, while small corms can be sown in furrows or broadcast. After planting, cover with soil, press firm, and then water. The entire growing period of gladiolus is about 100 days. Planting can be done in batches according to the required time for cut flowers. Fertilizer and water management of gladiolus is the key to making the plants bloom well and grow good corms.

During the growing period, the soil must maintain a certain humidity; if too wet, the corms rot, and if too dry, the leaf tips turn yellow. After emergence, water once every 2-3 days; in summer, water once every 1-2 days. During the stage when the flower spike emerges and the flower buds develop, water must be sufficient, with watering once a day, and slight shading can be provided, while draining water promptly in the rainy season. After flowering, water can be reduced, but the soil should not be too dry. Topdressing can begin when the plants have grown 2-3 leaves, applying decomposed human manure or cake fertilizer water once every 15 days to promote stem and leaf growth. When the stems and leaves extend and flower buds are forming, avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer; too much nitrogen fertilizer causes the leaves to grow excessively and become weak, so switch to phosphorus fertilizer to promote flower development and opening. To make the flower colors vivid, apply superphosphate and bone meal, etc., once together with watering.

After the flower spike emerges, a 1% superphosphate aqueous solution can be sprayed on the aboveground parts. After flowering, apply potassium fertilizer once to help improve corm quality and increase cormel production. For cut flower harvesting, cut when the first and second flowers on the inflorescence just begin to open, retaining as many as 4-6 leaves to prevent affecting corm growth. The best time to cut is in the morning or at dusk. Place the cut flowers in cold water and keep them in a cool place, where they can be preserved for about 10 days, and the flowers on the inflorescence can continue opening all the way to the top. Common gladiolus diseases include damping-off, rot, leaf spot, and rust, which mostly occur in hot, humid weather and poorly ventilated environments, so disease prevention should be emphasized. Persisting with crop rotation and carrying out soil disinfection can effectively suppress the harm of nematodes.

Gladiolus Flower Language and Gladiolus Propagation Methods

Gladiolus is also known as Changlan, Tangchangpu, Bianzhulian, Shiyangjin, and Shisantaibao. It belongs to the Iridaceae family and the genus Gladiolus. It is not an orchid. People in Lingnan call it gladiolus because its leaves resemble long swords. Today I will share with you the flower language of gladiolus and the propagation methods of gladiolus.

Gladiolus flower language:

Gladiolus flower language one: It represents the feeling of remembrance, and also expresses love, attentiveness, longevity, peace and health, and prosperity.

Gladiolus flower language two: tryst, attentiveness.

The flower language of gladiolus is "tryst." Because the flowers of gladiolus are relatively delicate in shape and open quietly on the stem, as if protected by the thick stem, this often reminds people of a girl with her coat collar turned up to half cover her face. Therefore, many people tie them into bouquets and give them to the other person as a secret signal for a tryst.

Although a tryst can raise the heat of a romance, one must not lose calm. Therefore, another flower language of gladiolus is "attentiveness"!

Gladiolus flower language three: attentiveness, prosperity, wealth and honor, rising step by step, and firmness.

Chinese people believe that gladiolus leaves resemble long swords, like the precious sword worn by Zhong Kui, and can ward off evil and bad luck, making it one of the indispensable flowers for festivals. In addition, its flowers open gradually from bottom to top, symbolizing rising step by step, so it has especially become a flower material widely used in blessing bouquets and flower baskets. According to legend, in European and American folk tradition, gladiolus is the embodiment of a warrior's dragon-slaying sword and can protect the home, so Europeans often plant gladiolus all around their homes.

Gladiolus propagation methods:

Gladiolus is mainly propagated by corm division, and can also be propagated by corm cutting, tissue culture, and sowing. A corm lives for 1 year and is renewed once each year. That is, while the corm sends up leaves and blooms that year, a new corm swells and forms at the base of the flower stalk, and then the original mother corm gradually shrinks and dies. Cormels are produced at the base of the new corm, and the new corm and cormels can be removed and planted separately. Usually the new corm can bloom in the second year, while cormels need another year of cultivation before they can bloom. For large-scale planting of small cormels, drilling or broadcasting can be used, and new corms weighing 10-20 grams can be obtained that same year. In corm cutting propagation, each piece must carry more than one bud or part of the basal plate. Seed propagation is mostly used to breed new cultivars, and seeds should be sown immediately after collection.