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Planting, Growing, and Caring for Gladiolus
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We are moving in a and I would like to take my gladiolus with me, what is the best way to go about potting the plant?
Hi Jessica,
Gladiolus are such beautiful flowers so we can see why you would like to take them with you. In a perfect world, you want to let your gladiolus flower completely and then allow the foliage to die back naturally in the fall before moving bulbs or removing from the soil for storage in colder areas. The corms collect energy for next year’s growing season through the foliage and it is essential to continue the growing cycle and for the flowers to return the following year.
If you must remove them before the cycle has completed, it is hard to say if you removed the corms/foliage and flowers during the growing season and placed them in pots if they would survive the move. It would unfortunately not be known until next year’s growing season. If you must move them, you should make sure to dig up the entire corm and plant in a large container with a good potting mix. They are top heavy flowers so the container will need to heavy enough to hold them.
If the flowers do not return, you will need to buy new corms to replace them in your new location.
Good luck. Hope this helps!
Someone told me to soak the corms in a lye solution before planting, ever hear of this?
On 4/29/23, I planted gladiolus corms in an area where I thought they would get 6 to 8 hours of sun a day. As it turns out, once the sun is at its highest in the sky in the summer, the edge of the porch roof puts them in the shade. They grew plenty of leaves, but never any buds or flowers. This year, I noticed that two have already started growing and are about 4 inches tall. I'm hoping that maybe they were just confused last year because of the cool spring, and I'm hoping for bloom this year. Wish them luck! If they do the same thing this year, I will dig them up this fall and find another place for them in the spring.
Update: One plant has a flower spike, but it seems soft and is drooping. I just staked it and I'm hoping for the best. We have had weather in the 90s over the last week or so, so now I am a bit grateful for that shade they are receiving.
This has me confused—
“Cure in a warm and airy location for 2 weeks at a temperature of 80 to 85°F (27 to 29°C).”
If I’m lifting the bulbs in the Fall temperatures are not 80 to 85°…….outside or inside.
Paula, Thank you for pointing this out. We’ve amended the information!
—The Editors
So, i just bought corms from a local nursery. I have no idea what variety other than the colour. I am planting them where they will get 4 to 6 hours of sun in the summer and 6 to 8 hours in the winter. I live in the tropics, so shall i expect the plants to die back in winter like the canna lilies, and ornamental turmeric and gingers? Do i need to dig them up or can i leave them in the ground year after year until they need thinning, as i do with the lilies and gingers? Thank you for your help!
It states that in USDA Hardiness Zone 8, put down a layer of hay or straw for winter protection. I feel compelled to caution against using hay. I have made the mistake of using hay, which is dried grass, as it may contains grass seeds. I am still pulling out grass sprouts! Straw is the better option.
Pls help. Planted store bought bulbs on Easter 2022. It's now May/28/22 and it looks like we planted grass. We have 12 smallest is about 18inches tall, biggest 24in. But it just looks like extra tall blades of grass. The instructions on the packet said plant them in groups, so we have 4 in each 6in diameter pot. After reading the article, I know I need replant. Will they flower soon? I don't even see any little buds. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated