Gladioli: planting, growing and care in pots and containers

Growing a variety of plants is of great importance today. Some have always been planted by flower lovers, while others have only become popular in recent years. But gladioli hold a special place among all this diversity.

With proper planting and care, these plants can delight with an abundance of flower stalks and beautiful colors. In recent years, growing these beautiful and vibrant arrowheads in pots and containers, both indoors and outdoors, has become increasingly popular.

Flowerbeds with these stunningly beautiful and enchantingly fragrant plants have become an integral part of both urban and rural landscapes. Gardeners have long been intrigued by the question of how to prolong the life of gladioli. With proper planting and care, is it possible to grow these arrowheads in pots and containers, bringing joy both indoors and outdoors? Our article is dedicated to answering these questions.

Gladioli – description

This member of the Iridaceae family is a perennial plant. It gained popularity in the mid-18th century. Wild gladiolus varieties currently grow in South African, European, and Asian countries. There are approximately 200 varieties. In Latin, "gladiolus" means "sword." This name derives from the resemblance of these majestic flowers to weapons.

Even in ancient times, these plants were considered weeds, so they were ruthlessly exterminated in large numbers. Now it's hard to find a plot where these majestic flowers don't grow. In recent years, gladioli have become popular in pots, placed on loggias, balconies, apartments, and houses. In summer, these giants are brought out into the garden.

1. The shoots grow upward, so they eventually stand upright. The shoots range in size from 50 to 150 cm, but gladiolus specimens sometimes reach a height of one and a half meters.
2. There are many varieties of gladiolus, which are distinguished depending on their appearance, flowering period, color and size.
3. Stems with long, sword-shaped leaves grow from the roots, ranging from 50 to 80 cm in length.
4. The plant's root system is quite developed. Therefore, containers for giant plants should be carefully selected based on the height of the shoots.
5. The bulbs are renewed annually, and baby bulbs are formed, which then act as planting material.
6. Externally, the flower stalks resemble colossi, rising to a length of 50-90 centimeters.
7. A single flower stalk produces approximately 20 flowers with six petals, which are funnel-shaped and vary in size. The flowers can be whitish, reddish, pinkish, lilac-shaped, yellowish, and other colors.

Gladioli have been considered perennials since ancient times, propagated by dividing the bulbs. The plant is very heat-loving and therefore does not tolerate cold winters. Planting gladioli in a pot will protect the shoots from freezing, and the following spring, the arrowheads can be brought back outside.

Gladiolus varieties for planting in pots

These giants of the floral world grow vigorously and quickly, so to grow gladioli in a pot at home, it's important to first select specific varieties. The standard varieties of these flowering plants commonly planted in gardens are not suitable. Instead, opt for miniature varieties that grow to heights of 25 to 80 cm. However, large-flowered plants can sometimes be planted in larger containers. The following varieties are best suited for growing gladioli in pots:

1. 'Georgette' blooms feature reddish and yellowish hues. This giant is perfect for container growing.
2. The giant "Moscow White-Stone" is very beautiful and unusual. The inflorescence rises to 70 cm in height and is distinguished by its corrugated petals.
3. 'Tinkerbell' is a butterfly cultivar. The plant grows to 45-75 cm. The inflorescence is spike-shaped, with bright orange flowers with a yellowish throat.
4. The 'Melody' variety produces delicate pink inflorescences with a large red spot in the center. The stem can grow up to a meter in height.
5. A dwarf variety called "Bow Peep" has gained popularity among gardeners. Its 70-centimeter flower stalks are pleated and a delicate apricot hue.
6. The 'White City' variety of gladioli is often chosen for potted planting. Its flowers range from 3.5 to 8 cm in diameter, making it a medium-sized variety. During flowering, 23 whitish flowers grow on a single stem.
7. One of the popular primrose varieties is 'Columbine,' which features numerous small, vibrantly colored flowers on its inflorescence. The flowers are red with small white flecks.
8. 'Robinetta' gladioli are perfect for container planting. Their blooms can grow up to 70 centimeters tall and feature numerous deep purple petals.
9. The most unusual variety among the entire gladiolus family is "Greenbird." The name itself gives an idea of ​​its appearance. The literal translation means "green bird." The flower stalk bears flowers of a rich greenish-yellowish color.

Reproduction methods

Before growing gladioli in a pot or container, it's worth learning about the nuances of propagating varieties. Gladioli are propagated in several ways today:

• seeds;
• dividing corms;
• tuber buds.

Now let's look at each one in more detail.

Seed propagation

Breeders often use this method to develop new gladiolus varieties. When gladioli are grown in pots at home from seeds, they tend to lose their parental characteristics, such as color and size. Seeds are sown in late winter in a specially prepared container. Before sowing, the seeds are treated with a sodium humate solution dissolved in water for 2-3 hours.

After sowing the seeds, water them thoroughly. In the spring, take the containers containing the indoor gladiolus outside.

Propagation of gladioli by corms

When growing gladioli in pots outdoors, corm propagation is used. The roots have a two-tiered structure. The first tier contains the vegetative shoot, which nourishes the corm, and at the end of the year, the corm dies. The second tier is the replacement corm. It is divided into several parts with a knife, leaving one dormant corm and a small number of roots. Before planting, the corms are treated with a manganese solution and charcoal. The division is then potted with the bottom facing up.

Propagation by tuber buds

Gladioli can be grown in a pot from a corm. One bulb can produce 15-100 corms, varying in size and germination rate. A corm looks like a stem with a single scale. The corm matures within 90 days.

A leaf blade appears on the surface of the cutting, and root nodules appear underneath. Typically, to grow gladioli in pots, cuttings with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 cm are planted. When growing gladioli in small containers, they can be temporarily potted in pots with removable bottoms and nutrient-rich soil.

In the spring, gladioli can be moved outdoors in pots. The question of how to plant them has already been discussed. Now let's focus on the planting and care instructions.

Planting and care

Can gladioli be grown in pots indoors? This question often arises among flower lovers. They want to enjoy their potted gladioli year-round, so they're interested in planting and care instructions. Before planting, select a container based on the size of the gladioli. Then, add special soil to the container. Keep the soil in a warm, dry place for 2-3 days. To grow gladioli in pots, you need healthy planting material. The bulb should be undamaged and have no dry spots. Also, make sure it's not moldy or wrinkled.

Gladioli are typically planted indoors in pots in the spring. Late spring is usually chosen for planting, as the conditions are warm enough. The bulbs are peeled and then treated with a fungicide dissolved in water. This reduces the risk of various diseases. You can soak the bulbs in a Cytovit solution for a day. Additionally, treat the tubers with a rooting agent. All of the above procedures are carried out a month before planting. If the plants have not rooted within two weeks, they should be discarded.

Each bulb is planted 7-12 cm deep and 6-7 cm apart. The pot is then placed in a sunny location away from strong winds. When flowering begins, protect the flower from rainwater.

If you're growing gladioli on a balcony, planting and care are the same as for outdoor cultivation. Fertilize the plant with organic and mineral fertilizers. It's a good idea to loosen the soil and weed it regularly, removing any weeds.

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To ensure your gladioli bloom abundantly, it's important to carefully care for the potted plants after planting. This will ensure the blooms will last for a long time.