GROWING GUIDE - ACIDANTHERA

Looking to grow beautiful, healthy acidanthera in your garden? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive growing guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from planting to harvest.

QUICK FACTS

• Sun Requirements: And Well-Drained Soil
• Soil: Can Be Worked And Danger Of Frost Has Past
• Spacing: Space 6-10 In

ACIDANTHERA

Acidanthera thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Space plants 9 in. apart and 4 in. deep. Plants will grow 2ft. high.

Dig and store just as you would glads.

GLADIOLUS

This spring planted corm (bulb), quickly produces white flower spikes. Glads make excellent cut flowers grouped together in a vase or mixed with other flowers in arrangements.

STORING

Open bags as soon as they arrive. If the corms are not being planted immediately, store in open trays in a cool dry place. Arrange the corms in a single layer with the base down.

Sprouts develop while the corms are stored and the sprouts will grow at angles if the top is not facing up.

PLANTING

Plant early in the spring, when the soil can be worked and danger of frost has past. Planting area should be well prepared before planting. Light: Best in full sun.

Gladiolus corms will flower in part shade, but the plant won’t grow quite as well. Soil: Well-drained, sandy loam soil. The corms will rot if the soil is too heavy and wet.

If you have clay soil, grow in raised beds and loosen the soil to 12 in. deep before planting. Spacing: Space 6-10 in. apart in the garden and plant 2-6 in. deep (plant bigger corms deeper). Planting: Plant in spring 2 weeks before your last expected frost date.

Plant 6-8 in. deep in full sun if possible. Set the corms into deeply prepared holes or rows, cover the corms with about 1.5 in. of soil. Gradually add more soil cover as the shoot grows up.

Watering: Keep plants well watered with at least 1 in. of water a week. This amount may have to increase during periods of drought or if growing in raised beds. Fertilizing: Add compost to the soil before planting.

Add an organic, water-soluble fertilizer when the plants are 10 in. tall. Mulching: To preserve soil moisture, mulch plants once they emerge from the soil with a 2-3 in. thick layer of straw or bark mulch. If the area where you’d like to plant is weedy, weed before applying the mulch.

The mulch should help with weed control as well.

CARE

Gladiolus do not require trimming or pruning. The flower stalk is harvested in the morning for flower arrangements when the lower 3 blossoms on the stalks begin to open. Leave at least 4 leaves on the plant to rejuvenate the corms if you plan on saving them for next year.

In the garden, deadhead the flower stalk after the flowers fade. This will also prevent the flowers from setting seed and self sowing throughout your beds. Although these seedlings will eventually get large enough to flower, it will take years and the seedlings can become weedy.

Spray with Malathion or insecticidal soap to prevent or control thrips. Staking may be required to prevent wind damage.

HARVEST

Dig the corms about 2 months after flowers are gone or sooner if frost occurs first. Cut off the tops as close to the corm as possible, dry the corms quickly at 26°C in a well ventilated area for a week. After the corms have been stored for several weeks, the old corm will snap off easily.

Clean away soil and roots. Let corms callous in a warm circulating air. Dust corms with a insecticide/fungicide and store for the winter in a cool 10°C dry place.

READY TO START GROWING?

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