How to grow gladioli in a garden bed
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Gladioli: description of flowers
Most gardeners take great pleasure in cultivating such beautiful flowers as gladioli, also referred to as skewers, on their plots. Despite the fact that in ancient Greece this plant was considered a weed. From year to year, this plant is becoming more and more popular.
Sometimes gladiolus is also called a sword because of the leaves that look like swords. The plant is perennial with straight stems. Flowers can be of various colors.
How to choose the right place for planting and how to plant gladioli
The most important thing is to resolve the issue with the soil at the planting site. For gladioli, the soil begins to be prepared about a year before planting. These beautiful flowers are very fond of fertile and well-groomed soil, such as black soil and loam.
Equally important is the fact that gladioli cannot be planted in the same place every year. The plant will simply not be accepted.
Before planting, the corms should be cleaned of infections, microbes under the shell. This increases germination. Onions that have already been peeled can be put into a bag and placed in a cool place, such as a refrigerator.
The best period for planting gladioli is from mid-April to early May. Because moisture from the soil in spring leaves extremely quickly and the moment should not be missed.
Correct feeding of gladioli
Due to the very rapid growth of gladioli, especially if the soil is not very fertile, the plant requires mineral fertilizing. It is better not to try organic ones, as they cause disease in the flower.
The required amount of fertilizer for one top dressing should be mixed with water. And feed in the form of an aqueous solution.
How to deal with pests
A fairly large number of different bugs harm gladioli. The same caterpillars and aphids eat young leaves, leaving traces of holes in them. But the truly terrible enemy of the flower is thrips.
It is very easy to notice an infected flower: the gladiolus stops blooming, the buds are brown-red and no longer open.
Spray with pest control agents before the plant begins to bloom. About once every two weeks. With the appearance of flowers every week. But when gladiolus begins to bloom it is necessary to spray it regularly every 3-4 days.