Gladioli: care and propagation methods, how to divide a bulb

Gladioli are a plant that can be propagated by corms, bulbils, and, of course, seeds. Vegetative propagation is considered a plant adaptation that gladioli have for continued survival when seed reproduction is in question.

This can occur due to unfavorable plant development conditions, which can cause the seeds to fail to ripen. Therefore, vegetative propagation can only be observed in cultivars of gladioli; wild species most often reproduce by seed. However, the predisposition to vegetative propagation was inherited by gladioli from their wild ancestor.

This propagation method is important for preserving the cultivar's important morphological characteristics. Furthermore, vegetative propagation of gladioli is efficient and rapid, which is especially important in breeding new gladioli species. When considering how to propagate gladioli, it's important to first consider the specific methods.

Propagation by tuber buds

Each variety has its own characteristics of vegetative propagation. Some varieties are capable of producing over 100 tubers, while others produce only 10-15 on average. They also differ in size. The Oscar variety may have few tubers, but all of them will be large, some up to a centimeter in diameter. The White Frosting variety, however, produces more tubers, but they are all half the size of the Oscar variety. What determines the size of the tubers?

First of all, it has an impact on:

• external factor;
• weather conditions;
• soil moisture level;
• duration of the growing season.

Large cormels are more common in early varieties, while small ones are typical of late ones. Before understanding how gladioli reproduce, it's important to understand their development period. Cormels will develop over approximately three months. This development process begins before flowering. Seeds can ripen simultaneously with the formation of cormels, which can be easily separated from the corms at the end of their development.

If you have gladioli, it's important to know how and when to propagate them. Planting corms should only be done in cultivated and moist soil. Mulch the soil. The recommended layer for this procedure is a maximum of 7 centimeters. An alternative is to water the soil twice a day. To ensure proper germination of the corms, give them at least two weeks. It may take longer if the corms were initially small.

Many gardeners prefer to germinate tubers early in cool temperatures. The appearance of roots indicates that it's time to sow them. If sowing is delayed, even the largest roots will not produce the desired results.

Adviсe

• The sowing furrow should be on average 6 cm deep.
• There should be an equal distance between the furrows, at least 10 centimeters.
• The bottom of the furrow should be compacted; for better plant development, river sand should be used.
• It is poured into the hole and on top of the soil after sowing.
• The bed should be mulched using humus. Peat compost is also a good alternative.

How to properly care for gladioli babies

Now that you've learned how gladiolus propagates from corms, you need to understand the care procedure. It's worth noting that for the first few weeks, the beds containing the corms should not be disturbed. Only later should the beds be loosened with a rake. This is necessary to eliminate weeds. After this procedure, repeat mulching will be necessary.

The recommended layer thickness is 2.5 to 3 centimeters. Regular watering should be included in the care regimen. If a dry spell occurs, mulch with weathered peat. Further south, coarsely chopped straw or polyethylene waste can be used.

How to propagate gladioli by dividing the bulb

Not everyone knows how to divide gladiolus corms. Not everyone even knows that a single corm can have two lateral buds. These buds don't germinate if the central bud is actively growing. However, if the central bud is damaged, the lateral buds can develop to form a replacement shoot. This is important to keep in mind for anyone wanting to learn how to divide a gladiolus corm.

This method is especially suitable for those growing certain varieties of gladioli. It is strongly recommended to divide gladioli bulbs when they produce a single replacement corm but develop an insufficient number of corms for propagation.

Those interested in how to propagate gladioli by dividing the bulb should know the most reliable method. Experienced gardeners emphasize the effectiveness of cutting the bulb in half. Gladioli can also be propagated by dividing the bulb into several smaller pieces. However, in this case, it's important to ensure that each piece has at least one bud and the end of the root system. Small pieces will not develop as quickly as larger ones. This should be taken into account when planning the care and propagation of gladioli.

How to remove an old gladiolus bulb

When it's time to harvest gladioli, it's important to know how to separate the old gladiolus corm and what to do with it. First of all, it's worth noting that the harvesting process itself, including the corm separation process, should be carried out in dry weather. Gladiolus corm division is simple, but the process itself requires extra attention and care.

The chances of the root end being cleared of soil without damage are good only in dry weather. Otherwise, the roots need to be trimmed and the stem cut off. Afterwards, the bulb is washed and dried outside or in a well-ventilated area.

Afterwards, the corms are separated and the old corm is removed. When considering how to remove an old gladioli corm, it's important to understand that this shouldn't be done in a hurry. Many experienced gardeners who regularly work with gladioli claim that removing the corm too early risks depriving the young corm of essential nutrients.

Vegetative propagation is important when the gardener's goal is to maximize the survival of the plant. Gladiolus will have a better chance of adapting to your garden conditions and developing quickly and unhindered if grown this way. Growing from a cutting increases the chances of the plant growing effectively and quickly in your climate.