Selecting gladiolus shoots for storage and planting

Gladiolus

Gladioli are a delight to any garden. This perennial flower, however, its corms age and degenerate over time. If you don't consider the rotation of generations, the variety will be lost. The average lifespan of a corm is up to 5 years. The easiest way to find a worthy replacement is to grow a flower from gladiolus corms (pups).

Characteristics of corms

Gladioli grown from bulblets tend to grow strong, healthy, and beautiful. The bulbs are divided into two sizes:

from 5 to 10 mm, from such tubers plants bloom in the first year and varietal characteristics are better expressed;
from 3 to 5 mm, usually give results a year later.

The size and quantity of tuber buds depend directly on the following factors: microclimate, soil moisture, and the length of the growing season. Large tuber buds form in early varieties, while small ones form in late varieties. They are usually covered with a tough layer.

The hard, closed shell plays an important role in protecting the tiny tuber from drying out and other negative influences. It maintains germination even in the second year of storage, but at the same time, the protective film prevents germination.

Sorting and preparation for storage

When digging up gladiolus bulbs in the fall, separate, wash, and dry all the corms. Place them in a dry place, protected from sun and wind, and avoid freezing for a day or two until they dry. Drying the corms takes about three weeks. They should then be sorted by size and variety. Store in a dry place at any above-zero temperature, preferably up to 15°C.

They should be inspected monthly and any wrinkled or wilted corms discarded. Store the corms in paper or gauze bags. This will allow air to continue to circulate around the gladiolus corms while they are in storage. To protect against pests, place a few cloves of garlic under them.

Attention!

The pods can be stored for two years at a temperature of 5-10 degrees Celsius. They germinate and develop better when planted than fresh ones. It's important to carefully inspect the pods before storing and prevent them from rotting.

Preparing for landing

A healthy bulb is covered with a protective layer, which can delay germination for a long time. Therefore, this layer must be removed or broken. This manipulation must be performed carefully to avoid damaging the interior.

Peeled bulblets germinate much faster and more easily. When planted at a shallow depth, they form a large bulb.

An easy but effective method is to germinate the tubers before planting. Home conditions are suitable for this. The room temperature should be above freezing. The tubers, sorted by variety and size, are placed in jars or zip-lock bags. A warm solution of potassium permanganate is added: 5 g of the solution per 10 liters of water (40 degrees Celsius).

Next, seal the jars or bags, making holes to allow air to enter. The babies should not be completely submerged in the water, only the base.

In about 14-15 days, the first roots and seedlings should appear. Placing the tuber on wet cheesecloth in a container in a cool place (a cellar is suitable) may be more effective. Germination time will increase, but the seedlings will emerge almost simultaneously.

Important!

It's recommended to select for planting those bulblets that have formed 2-3 root nodules, even if they are slightly smaller. These bulblets will grow into lush, healthy plants.

There's nothing particularly difficult about planting and growing beautiful flowers from cuttings. Simply follow certain rules for planting, storing, and sorting.