When gladioli are dug up: harvesting dates, storage of bulbs and preparation for winter

Gladiolus is a popular garden plant that is often grown in suburban areas. It is used to decorate flower beds and mixborders. In order for the plant to grow normally and please with lush flowering, you need to properly care for it. Novice flower growers are often interested in when they dig up garden gladioli. Experts advise to carry out this procedure in the fall.

When to dig up gladioli for the winter?

In what month is it recommended to dig up a plant? Bulb crops should be removed from the ground after the end of the flowering period. Therefore, autumn is the optimal time for harvesting gladioli. However, a specific period must be chosen taking into account the climatic conditions of the region.

It is recommended to choose the optimal period for digging. If the bulbs are removed too early, the plant may not germinate in the next season, or there will be problems with its flowering. This is due to the fact that the tubers did not have time to gain strength for wintering and flowering. If you keep gladioli in the ground for too long, they freeze slightly. In such a situation, there is a risk of plant death.

To calculate the optimal period for digging up a crop, you should pay attention to the condition of the ground part of the plant. It should completely turn yellow and dry. A change in the color of the leaves indicates that the flower does not produce chlorophyll. This means that he stopped his development.

The exact harvesting period depends on climate and weather. Usually, autumn cleaning is carried out 30-50 days after flowering is completed. At the same time, regional peculiarities should be taken into account. In the south, where there is no frost, bulbs can not be dug up.

In Siberia, only early varieties of gladioli are grown. In this case, the bulbs do not have time to ripen. Therefore, they are dug up immediately after flowering and placed for a month in pots with earth. The middle lane is characterized by a temperate climate. Under such conditions, gladioli should be dug up in the second half of September.

How to properly harvest bulbs?

Before digging up a plant with pruning shears or garden shears, cut off the stem and foliage. In this case, it is recommended to leave small stumps. To dig up the plant, it is recommended to stick a fork into the ground and carefully raise a clod of earth with bulbs.

Then you need to put them on a film, and pull out the bulbs and babies from the dried soil. From them it is necessary to cut the roots. After harvesting the tubers, diseased specimens will have to be discarded.

How to prepare gladiolus bulbs for winter storage?

It is recommended to decontaminate the bulbs before storage. This will help to avoid the development of dangerous diseases and keep the planting material until spring.

Processing bulbs after digging

Rot is considered the main danger for bulbs. To avoid its appearance, planting material should be disinfected in preparation for winter. To begin with, it is recommended to rinse it in running water, and then soak it in a solution of Fundazol or Fitosporin.

Drying bulbs

After disinfection, the bulbs and babies should be dried. To do this, it is recommended to keep them in a room with a temperature of + 29-34 degrees for 2 weeks. The last 2-3 days the bulbs are dried at a temperature of + 35-38 degrees. It is advisable to use a fan.

Ways to store bulbs in winter

It is best to store the bulbs in the basement or cellar. They are also allowed to be kept in a city apartment. However, it is important to provide the plant with suitable conditions.

In the basement or cellar

When storing tubers in the basement, they should be placed away from vegetables and fruits. It is best to place the bulbs in a container with a mesh bottom. This will ensure proper ventilation and fresh air supply. In the process of wintering, it is worth constantly removing damaged and diseased specimens.

Don't place the planting box on the floor - it's much better to use a shelf or rack for this purpose.

In the apartment

Before laying the bulbs for storage, they must be disinfected. After that, it is worth choosing the right place for the tubers. It is best to keep the plant in the refrigerator or on the balcony. In this case, you will have to ensure a constant supply of fresh air.

When storing bulbs at home, they can be taken out to the stairwell. In winter, the temperature remains quite cool there. There are also several non-standard ways suitable for an apartment:

• in the bathroom, near the pipes with cold water - while the plant needs protection from moisture;
• between window frames - this can be done if non-plastic windows are installed;
• in an unheated pantry - it is important to ensure optimal temperature conditions.

On the balcony

The bulbs are often kept on the balcony. At the same time, it is important to monitor the temperature indicators. If they are below the norm, it is recommended to cover the boxes with tubers with a blanket or use other materials. On insulated loggias, this is not required. At the same time, the temperature regime will still have to be controlled so that the tubers do not die and germinate.

On the balcony, planting material should be kept in a foam box. At the same time, it must have holes for the influx of fresh air. To control normal temperature indicators, you should definitely install a thermometer above the box.In the period of frost, the container should be insulated.

Refrigerated storage

Gladiolus bulbs overwinter well in the refrigerator. This option is suitable for a small number of tubers. It is important to bear in mind that moisture can accumulate in the refrigerator. Therefore, each onion is recommended to be wrapped in paper. Keep planting material on the lowest shelf.

In late February or early March, gladioli are recommended to be pulled out and dried. It is during this period that they absorb the maximum amount of moisture. After drying, the tubers must be wrapped again in paper and placed on a shelf with a low temperature. However, it should not be negative. Otherwise, the gladioli will freeze and not germinate.

Possible Complications

To avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to inspect the planting material once a month. The following problems testify to the development of complications:

1. The formation of gray mold - the cause is high humidity. In such a situation, it is recommended to dry the tubers and wrap them in new paper.
2. Thrips attacks - when attacked by pests, it is recommended to remove the affected tubers. The remaining bulbs should be treated with Hom. In the absence of suitable means, the bulbs should be placed in an airtight container and put cotton wool soaked in alcohol in it. This will kill the pests. Then the tubers need to be dried. The procedure is carried out with an interval of 4 days.

Results of proper storage

If you follow the storage rules, you will be able to get high-quality planting material. When planted in the ground, it will germinate and will please with rapid growth and abundant flowering. To achieve good results, it is necessary to systematically inspect the tubers and remove rotten specimens.

Digging up and storing gladioli has a number of features. To achieve success in growing a crop, it is important to provide the plant with optimal conditions in the winter season. At the same time, it is necessary to systematically inspect the tubers and get rid of damaged bulbs.

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