How to prepare gladioli bulbs for planting in spring?

It is better to germinate bulbous crops before planting in the ground - this will accelerate the onset of flowering. It is necessary to get the bulbs of gladioli for germination from the refrigerator in advance. After that, the planting material is inspected, sorted, treated with a fungicide, germinated and then planted in a flower bed. It is advisable to follow all of the above steps in order to get high-quality flowering in the future.

When to get the gladiolus bulbs for germination?

Preparing gladioli for planting in spring begins with removing the bulbs from storage. Each region has its own terms for this. Usually planting material is stored in the refrigerator - it is not difficult to maintain optimal conditions there, or in a darkened corner of the cellar at a temperature not higher than + 8 ° C.

When determining the timing, you need to build on the expected landing date. It is permissible to plant bulbs in open ground at a temperature of + 10-12 ° C, therefore:

• in the Moscow region, planting is carried out in early May,
• in the southern regions, tubers are planted in April,
• in northern latitudes, disembarkation occurs towards the end of May.

Forcing begin 15-20 days before the expected date of planting. It is at this time that the planting material is taken out.

After winter storage, the first thing to do is inspect the bulbs. This should be done by removing the exfoliated husk, in good lighting. If rotten areas or mechanical damage are found, the fabric is cleaned with a sharp knife.

Sections are treated with brilliant green or crushed activated carbon. Throw away soft and large bulbs. Quality tubers have a glossy surface and are firm to the touch. At the top of each bulb, buds stand out, at the bottom, the rudiments of the roots are noticeable.

Processing the bulbs before planting

After winter, the bulbs must be prepared for planting. Processing is carried out by soaking in a disinfectant composition. For this purpose, apply:

• light pink solution of potassium permanganate, soaking time - 2 hours;
• 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid, soaking time - 30 minutes;
• 0.2% solution of "Fundazol", soaking time - 30 minutes;
• drugs "Maxim", "Fundazim" or "Fitosporin" (according to the instructions).

All these funds help prevent the further spread of fungal and bacterial infections.

To protect against pests, they are treated with insecticides:

• "Aktara" - 1 package for 10 liters of water;
• "Confidor" - 3 g per 10 liters of water;
• "Malathion" - 1 ampoule for 5 liters of water.

The bulbs are soaked in a solution of one of the drugs for half an hour. From folk remedies, garlic is often used for processing. It is necessary to grind and insist 150-200 g of garlic cloves in 5 liters of water.

It is also permissible to soak the tubers in a weak solution of complex fertilizers for 1-2 hours or to treat them with growth stimulants, in this case the roots form faster. After that, the planting material is laid out in one layer to dry. As soon as the bulbs are dry, they begin to germinate.

If it is necessary to propagate the planting material, tubers are divided. Only large bulbs can be divided. Each of the divisions should have at least one developed bud and a piece of the bottom with root primordia. When dividing several tubers, the knife is disinfected each time. The resulting sections are smeared with brilliant green solution or sprinkled with charcoal powder.

Germination of gladioli

It is recommended to germinate the bulbs before planting for a faster onset of flowering, the formation of a more powerful root system of plants, and a reduction in the adaptation period in the open field. You can germinate gladioli without using any substrate.

The forcing bulbs are laid out in a low plastic container or wooden box with low sides, buds up. Planting material can be placed in two rows, but you need to make sure that the developing sprouts do not interfere with each other.

Some have adapted to germinating gladioli at home using sawdust. This method is considered to be quite effective. You can prepare the substrate from wood litter intended for cat litter, after soaking the granules in water. How to germinate tubers correctly:

1. Sawdust is poured into a low box with a layer about 2 cm thick.
2. Spray the substrate from a spray bottle.
3. Then the bulbs are laid out on the substrate with the bottom down.

The container is kept in the light in a warm room. Sawdust needs to be moistened regularly. Germination under such conditions will help to quickly awaken the tubers. Green sprouts will appear in 4–5 days. It's time to plant the bulbs in the ground when the sprouts reach a height of 8-10 cm.

Landing in open ground

As soon as warm weather sets in, summer residents begin to plant gladiolus bulbs in open ground. Suitable places for planting are well-lit by the sun with drained and fertile soil. The soil should have a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. Most of all gladioli like loams. A layer of sand 3-4 cm thick must be poured under the bottom of the bulbs. In this case, the tubers will be protected from rotting and excessive accumulation of moisture.

To plant a large number of bulbs, it is convenient to dig a common groove. Planting rules:

1. The spacing between tubers depends on their size. Large specimens are planted at a distance of 20-25 cm. Between small ones the interval should be 12-15 cm.
2. The planting depth also depends on the size of the bulbs. Large tubers are immersed in the ground by 12-14 cm if the soil is light, and by 8-10 cm if planting occurs on loam or black soil.
3. Small bulbs are planted closer to the surface (to a depth of no more than 3 cm).
4. For tall varieties, it is necessary to prepare in advance and install supports at the time of planting, to which flower stalks will be tied in the future.

After planting, the soil is watered abundantly with water. Upon completion of the work, it is advisable to mulch the flower bed. For this purpose, wood shavings, humus, grass cuttings are used. Mulching facilitates the further maintenance of plants, preventing weed growth, the appearance of a tough crust and accelerated evaporation of moisture.

Preparing bulbous material for planting is a stage that cannot be dispensed with. Gladiolus bulbs need sorting, disinfection, stimulation of growth processes. If everything is done according to the rules, in due time the flowers will delight with the appearance of magnificent inflorescences.