They are lovely flowers @Zenjeff - just like my friends, who live very close by with similar soil conditions.
I thought I’d planted them deep enough @ Jason-3, following the planting instructions, but maybe they should have been a bit deeper, as the soil is similar to yours. Can I ask what you mean by “amended soil” - did you add extra compost or nutrients?
They aren't something I grow, but I wonder if this year's weather has been a contributing factor. Dry soil just when they needed a bit of dampness to produce the flowering stems? Also - in that excessive heat, plants often save themselves a bit - supporting their foliage at the expense of flower production. Just a little thought
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Red maple as my soil gets very claggy and gladioli hate these conditions. I've amended my soil 2 parts general compost, one part garden garden one part grit
They are more tolerant of dry soil than overly wet
My gladioli buds have just started to appear. I planted them last year and they flowered last summer. For me I find gladioli annoying They have green foliage for months upon months and then flower for 2 mins and then die. I pulled them all up last winter but I must have missed 1 as I noticed the buds appearing this week.. They are so beautiful when they flower, they just take so long, lol
Jason - I totally agree re the soil. They certainly don't want to sit in hefty, claggy soil, and yours are clearly very happy and established. My point was simply that the very dry conditions might have coincided with the formation of flowering stems, on possibly less mature bulbs, and there would have been a bit of stress for them. A bit like rhodos and camellias going short of water at this time of year.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl pretty much agree with all of your post. I was just highlighting that most of gladioli variety we have in the uk would come from the med basin , s Africa etc. Thus my soil comment. They are short lived, somewhat tempremental, floppy but so beautiful 😀
I put some in last year and only one flowered. This year i have dozens flowering. Only a few sulky ones have refused. But oh the staking required! The tiniest puff of wind and they're almost horizontal.
Gardening. The cause of, and solution to, all of my problems.
Absolutely Jason- I think it's also maturity of plants and what they'll cope with. This year has been difficult for all sorts, from annuals to trees and shrubs.
Then of course - sometimes the b*ggers don't grow no matter what we do!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Mine were on offer in February, I have loads of leaves no flowers. Moral is beware of offers that sound good and look good, they are probably the worst!
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” A A Milne
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I thought I’d planted them deep enough @ Jason-3, following the planting instructions, but maybe they should have been a bit deeper, as the soil is similar to yours. Can I ask what you mean by “amended soil” - did you add extra compost or nutrients?
Thats so funny, @Fran IOM!
Is there still time for them to do anything flower wise, or is that it for this year? (As I say, I’ve never grown them before).
Also - in that excessive heat, plants often save themselves a bit - supporting their foliage at the expense of flower production.
Just a little thought
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They are more tolerant of dry soil than overly wet
My point was simply that the very dry conditions might have coincided with the formation of flowering stems, on possibly less mature bulbs, and there would have been a bit of stress for them. A bit like rhodos and camellias going short of water at this time of year.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They are short lived, somewhat tempremental, floppy but so beautiful 😀
Then of course - sometimes the b*ggers don't grow no matter what we do!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
A A Milne