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- Q.Is It Possible For Gladiola Bulbs To Expire? - I have gladiola bulbs and I know they are old - many are likely over 20 years old (no kidding). ...
- Q.Gladiolus Bulbs - When I dug them up to dry and store, most had tiny reddish bumps circling the bulb about 1/3 up from ...
- Q.Glads - Do I have to peel the brown paper-like skins off to plant them?
- Q.Gladiolus - I recently planted some Gladiola bulbs in some pots on my balcony. They're growing great except for some of the ...
- Q.Growing Gladiolus - I've planted them in pots on my patio. When I placed the pot into direct sunlight (afternoon only), all the ...
- Q.Acidanthera Offsets - Can tiny bulbs that fall off mother bulb before they have developed their own root system be saved and grown? ...
- Q.Baby Offsets From Acidanthera - I recently asked this question but the info is too general and doesn't address the question... Can you tell me ...
Asked by
JamieM on
November 7, 2015
ConnecticutQ.Is it possible for gladiola bulbs to expire?
I have gladiola bulbs and I know they are old - many are likely over 20 years old (no kidding). I faithfully dig them up every late summer, and replant them in or around April. The last 2 summers they only produced a few flowers, where before the flowers were plentiful. Could it be they have come to the end of their "shelf-life"? Any suggestions on how they could be saved, or reinvigorated, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
November 10, 2015A.Gladiola corms are most productive in the first 6 years of their life.
They often decline in flowering as they become older, so it is a good idea to save cormels to develop a continual supply of young, healthy corms.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/storing-gladiola-corms.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/getting-gladiolus-to-bloom.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
calamityang on
November 26, 2015
Cold Brook, NY zone 3Q.Gladiolus bulbs
When I dug them up to dry and store, most had tiny reddish bumps circling the bulb about 1/3 up from the bottom. Are these new bulbs? Leave them alone or separate now or spring and plant separately? The bulbs were new this past summer and were spectacular in size and color. I fertilized at the proper times.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
November 28, 2015A.These little cormels will continue to get larger each year and eventually be large enough to be removed.
Here is a link that will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/storing-gladiola-corms.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
byrdie1234 on
April 29, 2016
12522Q.Glads
Do I have to peel the brown paper-like skins off to plant them?
- Answered by
Marozia2020 on
April 12, 2021A.Husks/skins can be removed before planting, but only *just* before; never remove them before storage.
If you have had problems with thrips in the past, it can be helpful to remove the papery husks and treat the naked corms with Sevin by putting corms in a paper bag, adding a generous dusting of Sevin dust, shaking *gently* to coat, and then planting between 12-24 hours later. Don't leave them naked for longer than that, though, or they might lose too much moisture, and never remove the entire husk before overwinter storage -- you can remove the loose old husk, but the newer, lighter-colored, and more tightly-wrapped husks should remain.Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 30, 2016A.No, do not remove the skins from the corms.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Nwernerlv on
May 20, 2016
89141Q.Gladiolus
I recently planted some Gladiola bulbs in some pots on my balcony. They're growing great except for some of the leaves have like a silver greyish color, almost looks like fungus maybe growing on them. What is it and how do I fix it?
- Answered by
kh0001 on
May 22, 2016A.There are (unfortunately) so many diseases that can attack plants! You may have any number of pests hanging around your Gladiolas, or it may have gotten too humid or moist recently, causing some mold on the leaves. You'll have to go through the process of elimination in order to determine what the cause could be. In almost all cases, you'll need to cut the affected leaves off the plants.
These articles may help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/gladiola-disease-pests.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Vvicker14 on
May 23, 2016
Orlando, Florida, 32803Q.Growing Gladiolus
I've planted them in pots on my patio. When I placed the pot into direct sunlight (afternoon only), all the beginning leaves bent over. When I saw this, I moved it away from direct sunlight and put it back in the corner where it will be guarded from direct light. What kind of "stakes "should I buy to help them grow up straight?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 25, 2016A.Varieties that are smaller are more suited to containers.
Supports are generally needed for the flowers.
Gladiola do need full sun, I think the bending over is due to the height of the plants, not the light conditions.Here is an excellent article that will help you with container Gladiola.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/growing-glads-in-containers.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
hMh on
May 26, 2016
Zone 4bQ.Acidanthera offsets
Can tiny bulbs that fall off mother bulb before they have developed their own root system be saved and grown? When dividing my multiplying glads, the baby bulbs fall off and they don't have their own roots yet! They are only pea sized and smaller but good and firm...will planting them on their own cause them to continue to get bigger if they don't have their own roots? What to do??? Many thanks...wendyD zone 4b
- Answered by
kh0001 on
May 29, 2016A.The corms (baby bulbs) aren't mature enough to produce a plant until the end of summer, but you can certainly store them through the winter and give them a try next spring. This article will explain how:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
hMh on
May 31, 2016
Zone 4bQ.Baby offsets from Acidanthera
I recently asked this question but the info is too general and doesn't address the question... Can you tell me how offsets get bigger if they are not attached to the mother bulb any longer? Will putting tiny pea-sized baby bulbs in the soil on their own over the summer help them to get bigger or grow roots if fed? How do small offsets grow into larger bulbs? Do they need to stay attached to the mother bulb in order to grow? Thank you!!
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 1, 2016A.Gladiolus will generally divide into exactly 2 new large bulbs each year, plus several small offsets.
These small offsets will take several years to grow and before they will bloom.
No, they do not need to stay attached.
Treat the small offsets the same as larger bulbs, but just have patience.Was this answer useful?00
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