What's your question? Ask

Gladiolus

Q.gladiolus in zone 9

Zone 78245 | firsttime added on March 30, 2017 | Answered

My gladiolus is planted in zone 9. They are done blooming, and I want to dig them up for storage & replant my bed for summer. Everyone says to wait till the foliage dies back. That never happens till winter in my area even w/o watering. How can I force them to become dormant without hurting them? How long after flowering is finished should I wait before I can do this?

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
Alisma
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on March 30, 2017

Unfortunately, digging your gladiolus up now will probably kill them, unless you plant them promptly in a new spot. Flowering uses up a lot of energy, and after flowering, the gladiolus use their leaves to store energy in the bulb for the following year, which is why it's best to wait until the leaves die back before digging them up for storage. It might be possible to dig them up in late summer or so, but that might inhibit them from flowering the following year.

Was this answer useful?
00

Log in or sign up to help answer this question.

Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends!

You must be logged into your account to answer a question.

If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.

Looking for more?
here are more questions about...
Gladiolus
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK