Re: gladiolas

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Posted by Newt on August 12, 2003 at 08:53:43:

In Reply to: Re: gladiolas posted by Susan Lin on August 12, 2003 at 08:29:15:

: : : I am wondering what to do about my gladiolas now that they have stopped blooming for the season. Can I cut back the plants at this point or do I have to let the leaves or stalks keep growing in order to for the bulbs to store energy? Is is the same as for daffodils ? Thanks for the help.

: : : Louise

: :
: : Do cut the spent flower stalk but don't cut the leaves. It is the same as for daffs.

: : Newt

: I normally do just cut the stalks, and then dig up the bulbs/corms when the leaves begin to yellow in November (I live in NY City). However, a family member decided to be "helpful" this year and cut the entire topside of my plants off because they had stopped flowering. Now that I have no leaves to look at as a guide, how will I know when to dig them up? Do I need to dig up them up extra early? I'm concerned that they may start rotting in the ground, especially since we are having alot of wet weather this year. Any advice would be appreciated. (Note: Some annual plants are growing in the same flower beds ... if I have to move them to dig up the bulbs early, I will)

Hi Susan,
I don't think you need to dig them up early. Just mark the spot where the corms were and dig them in the fall with your regular clean up. I live in zone 7 in Maryland and I just mulch the bed and leave them in for the winter. They have returned every year for me. I'm not sure of your zone, but you're probably zone 6. So, you might even try doing the same. Fortunately, they aren't expensive to replace. :-(

Good luck,
Newt

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: : : : I am wondering what to do about my gladiolas now that they have stopped blooming for the season. Can I cut back the plants at this point or do I have to let the leaves or stalks keep growing in order to for the bulbs to store energy? Is is the same as for daffodils ? Thanks for the help.

: : : : Louise

: : :
: : : Do cut the spent flower stalk but don't cut the leaves. It is the same as for daffs.

: : : Newt

: : I normally do just cut the stalks, and then dig up the bulbs/corms when the leaves begin to yellow in November (I live in NY City). However, a family member decided to be "helpful" this year and cut the entire topside of my plants off because they had stopped flowering. Now that I have no leaves to look at as a guide, how will I know when to dig them up? Do I need to dig up them up extra early? I'm concerned that they may start rotting in the ground, especially since we are having alot of wet weather this year. Any advice would be appreciated. (Note: Some annual plants are growing in the same flower beds ... if I have to move them to dig up the bulbs early, I will)

: Hi Susan,
: I don't think you need to dig them up early. Just mark the spot where the corms were and dig them in the fall with your regular clean up. I live in zone 7 in Maryland and I just mulch the bed and leave them in for the winter. They have returned every year for me. I'm not sure of your zone, but you're probably zone 6. So, you might even try doing the same. Fortunately, they aren't expensive to replace. :-(

: Good luck,
: Newt

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