When to dig up gladioli and how to store them

When to dig up gladioli

Tubers are harvested approximately 3–4 weeks after the end of flowering. This time is needed for the bulbs to ripen properly. If you dig them up earlier, next season the gladioli may not produce shoots with buds or may not sprout at all.

Flowering times may vary depending on the variety. Try to remember when the flower stalks of the plant began to fade or when you cut the gladioli for bouquet. Count about a month from this date - this will be the right time to dig up the bulbs.

If for some reason it is not possible to adhere to such deadlines, focus on the appearance of the plant. Yellowing, wilting and drying of the leaves will indicate that the underground part has matured.

How to dig up gladioli correctly

Try to carry out the procedure in dry weather. If it rained the day before, wait a couple of days until the ground becomes less wet. This will make it easier to remove the bulbs from the soil.

Step back about 20cm from the plants and dig up the bulb with a shovel or garden fork, pushing the tool all the way into the ground.

Using a rocking motion, lift the earthen ball with the tool along with the bulbs and remove them, holding the gladioli by the base of the stem.

Fill a bucket or other container with water. Wash the bulbs to remove any remaining soil. To do this, just lower flowers into the water for literally a minute, and the dirt will come off on its own.

Using a sharp pruner or knife, cut the stem, leaving a “stump” about 3–5 cm long.

Remove the dried dark bottom with roots from each tuber. These are the remains of an old onion that has outlived its usefulness.

Gladioli can be covered with small bulbs, from which full-fledged planting material can grow in the future. Separate the “babies” with your fingers. If you plan to propagate flowers, save them. If not, throw it away.

How to prepare gladioli for storage

First, gladioli need to be disinfected in order to get rid of fungal pathogens that live in garden and vegetable garden. For this purpose, special preparations for treating bulbs are suitable - for example, “Maxim” or “Fitosporin”. Dilute them according to the instructions on the package or combine 0.5 g of potassium permanganate with 2.5 liters of water.

Immerse large and small onions in the selected solution for 30 minutes.

Remove the gladioli from the disinfectant and blot them with a napkin to remove excess liquid. Place them in a box or other container in a single layer. Place in a dry and well-ventilated area with a temperature of about 25–27 degrees.

Leave the bulbs for about 2 weeks to dry.

How to store gladioli

Place large onions in a single layer in a box or box so that they do not touch each other. Send them to winter in a dry cellar, where the temperature is kept from 3 to 8 degrees.

An insulated balcony or loggia is suitable for storage at home. But to be safe, it is better to wrap each onion in paper and place the container with them at a height of about 40 cm from the floor. If the room temperature drops below 0 degrees, cover the gladioli with warm blankets. In addition, bulbs wrapped in paper can also be kept in the refrigerator - on the bottom shelf or in the compartment for vegetables and fruits.

The “babies” need to be placed in a bag made of thick paper. Store them in any of the places described.