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Gladioli, also known as sword lilies, are a bright and cheerful addition to any garden, with their tall, colourful flower spikes and orchid-like blooms. They are easy to grow in Australia's warm temperate climate and can be grown in the garden, in pots, or in vases and containers. In this guide, we will cover everything from planting bulbs and ideal growing conditions to general care and making sure your gladioli flower year after year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 0.3–2m |
| Foliage | Simple, sword-shaped leaves with grooved ribs, arranged in a fan shape |
| Climate | Grows well in warm to cool temperate zones, as well as in tropical areas |
| Soil | Most well-drained soils are suitable |
| Position | Full sun with protection from strong winds |
| Flowering | Attractive one-sided spikes of colourful, irregular funnel-shaped flowers in summer or early autumn |
| Feeding | Use a controlled-release organic fertiliser for flowering plants at planting in winter or early spring |
| Pests | Aphids, thrips, snails and slugs |
| Propagation | Divide the clump of corms in late summer/autumn, remove smaller cormels and store over winter before replanting in spring |
| Planting time | Spring after the threat of frost has passed |
| Flowering time | 90-100 days from planting |
| Bulb depth | 8-10cm |
| Bulb spacing | 6-20cm apart |
| Watering | Keep the soil moist, but do not overwater. Water well 1-2 times a week until flowers have died back |
| Fertiliser | Liquid seaweed fertiliser, controlled-release organic fertiliser, Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid |
| Common problems | Rust, Fusarium rot, Stromatinia corm dry rot, tomato or tobacco ring spot, scab |
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Planting bulbs
Gladioli are easy to grow in Australia's warm temperate climate. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they need protection from strong winds. To plant the bulbs, follow these steps:
- Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun and has well-drained soil.
- Enrich the soil with compost and a soil improver or plant fertiliser before planting.
- Dig a furrow about 8 inches deep and long enough to accommodate the number of corms you plan to plant, leaving about 6 inches of space between each corm.
- Place the corms in the furrow at a depth of about 10 cm and 20 cm apart.
- Cover the corms with soil, leaving only about a third of the stem intact.
- Water the corms well and keep the soil moist, being careful not to overwater.
Gladioli typically take around 90 to 100 days to grow and flower. They are best planted in spring after the threat of frost has passed, and they can be left in the ground over winter in mild climates. In areas with frost or wet winters, it is recommended to lift the corms after flowering and store them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season.
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Ideal growing conditions
Gladioli are easy to grow in Australia's warm and temperate climate. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They grow well in pots, vases, and containers, as well as in the ground. They can be planted in a garden or used as cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
When planting, choose a spot that is protected from strong winds. Consider using 'plant hoops' to protect the blooms from wind damage. Gladioli bulbs should be planted 8-10 cm deep, with 6-20 cm of space between bulbs. The soil should be warm and enriched with compost. Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater. Water well during the growing period, soaking the plants 1-2 times a week until the flowers have died back.
In terms of fertiliser, a liquid seaweed fertiliser can be used regularly during the growing period. After the season, add a bit more compost to the area. Gladioli benefit from full sun and can be grown in warm to cool temperate zones as well as tropical areas. They typically flower in early summer and can grow up to 2 metres tall.
Gladioli bulbs should be dug up and stored each year to prevent rot and disease. After the plant starts to yellow and die off, cut the foliage close to the corm and allow it to dry before storing in a cool, dry place. To prevent fungal diseases, dust the corms with a fungicide before storing.
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General care
Gladioli are a cheerful addition to any garden, with their tall, colourful flowers. They are easy to grow in Australia's warm, temperate climate and can be grown in the garden, in pots or in vases and containers. Here are some general care tips to keep your gladioli healthy:
Soil and Sunlight
Gladioli grow best in full sun and warm, well-drained soil. Choose a spot in your garden that is protected from strong winds to prevent the possibility of stem damage. You can enrich the soil with compost and fertiliser before planting.
Watering
Keep the soil moist, ensuring not to overwater. Water well during the growing period, soaking the plants 1-2 times a week. You can also use liquid seaweed fertiliser as the plants begin to grow.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, thrips, snails and slugs can occasionally attack gladioli. Thrips are tiny, ant-like insects that feed on developing flower buds, causing damage. You can control these pests with a safe insecticide applied before flowering. To protect your plants from snails and slugs, you can use iron chelate-based snail pellets during moist or wet conditions. Organic control methods include hand-picking, beer traps, and barriers of sawdust or crushed eggshells.
Corms
Gladioli corms can be lifted once the plant starts to yellow and die off. Cut off the foliage close to the corm and store in a cool, dry place until the next planting season. You can also dust the corms with a fungicide like sulphur to prevent diseases.
Cutting Flowers
Gladioli make excellent cut flowers for arrangements and vases. Cut the flower stems when the first signs of colour appear on the bottom florets, leaving about a third of the stem intact. The tips of the flowers are attracted to sunlight, so lay them flat for a few hours to create interesting floral displays.
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Pests and diseases
Gladiolus plants are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, are a common problem. They congregate on new shoots or the undersides of leaves, causing them to wilt or become discoloured. To manage aphids, you can spray them with water, apply soap or alcohol spray, or introduce predatory insects to your garden.
Another issue is fungal diseases, which can be prevented by avoiding watering the leaves of the plants. Rust, a common fungal disease, can be treated with a spray containing the fungicide Myclobutanil. If the foliage is badly infected, remove and bin the affected leaves. Before storing the corms, dust them with a fungicide and keep them in a cool, dry place.
Rotten corms are caused by pathogens entering the corms after sitting in cold, wet soil or being waterlogged. Fusarium rot, a fungal disease, is the most common cause of rotten corms. Other causes of yellow leaves in gladioli include Stromatinia corm dry rot, tomato or tobacco ring spot (viral diseases), and scab (bacterial infection). The best treatment for these diseases is to remove the infected corms.
To prevent rotten corms, plant them in free-draining soil, raised garden beds, or containers. Soaking the corms before planting should not be done for longer than recommended. Additionally, it is important to dig up and store gladiolus bulbs each year, as leaving them in the ground can cause them to rot.
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Storing corms
Gladiolus corms should be lifted once the plant starts to yellow and die off, which is generally around 4-6 weeks after the last flowers have appeared. After lifting the corms, allow the leaves to dry out, then cut them off as close to the base of the corm as possible without damaging it. At this point, it is recommended to dust the corms with a fungicide such as sulphur to prevent diseases before storing them in a cool, dry place until the next planting season. The corms should be stored in a mesh or hessian bag tied to the rafters in a garden shed, ensuring good airflow and protection from moisture.
In areas with frosts or wet winters, it is advisable to lift the corms after flowering and store them over winter in a cool, frost-free environment. Gladiolus bulbs should be dug up and stored annually to prevent rot and disease, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the plants to become sick. By lifting the bulbs and storing them properly, gardeners can also improve flower production.
To increase the number of gladioli, the clump of corms can be divided in late summer or autumn. The smaller cormels can be removed and stored over winter before being replanted the following spring.
It is important to note that gladioli should not be planted during the summer. The ideal time to plant the corms is in spring, after the threat of frost has passed.
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