late Gladioli bloom and still waiting

katrinkemp · September 2020

Hi everyone
I planted them in early spring - one is finally flowering but the once in the pot show no sign of flowering.
Are they maybe flowering next year? Should i bring them inside in winter?
Or are they annuals and i need give up on them?

Fairygirl · September 2020

There's a flower spike on one in that pot

I'd suggest they aren't planted deep enough in the pot. You need around three times the depth of the bulb when you plant, so that the soil above them is twice the depth of the bulb. You could probably have had another three inches of compost in the pot. The level is very low.
They aren't always hardy enough to leave outside over winter, and that depends on your location etc, but as they're in pots, leave them until there's going to be cold weather/frosts that will prevent any chance of flowering, and put the pot somewhere sheltered. A cold greenhouse or cold frame if you have one, a porch, or in the house in a cool room.

katrinkemp · September 2020

yes you are right - there is hope in the pot😅 I’ll add some compost and move into the greenhouse later this year. Thanks @Fairygirl

Fairygirl · September 2020

Just keep an eye on your weather - temps etc, and judge it on that. Cold, wet conditions aren't good for them, and more severe low temps. Dry cold is easier for many plants to deal with than wet cold though.
Adding compost now probably won't make much of a difference, but it's worth taking into consideration for next year

katrinkemp · September 2020

thanks @Fairygirl first time Gladioli planting here... So even they don’t bloom this year they can flower next year? I just assumed they flower much earlier in summer. I am in Kent so still warm - maybe there is still hope, especially after you helped me to spot the spike in the pot🙏🏻

Fairygirl · September 2020

I think you might be lucky and get a few flowers

They should be fine for next year if kept on the dry side over winter. It's a good idea to give them a couple of feeds as they die down too, and always leave the foliage to die back naturally,as that feeds the bulb for next year. A liquid feed is fine for that while temps are still reasonable - tomato food for example.
They're often treated as annuals, and it just depends on variety and location, as I said before. Some people might be able to leave them out - bit like Dahlias.
I only grow the Acidantheras, which are slightly different, and I'm just too lazy to dig them out and keep them for the following year. They wouldn't survive in the ground here. I buy some every year or so, and just plant them in little pots, keep them undercover, and put out when temps and ground are suitable. They're very inexpensive

late Gladioli bloom and still waiting

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