How should gladioli be stored in winter?

If a person grows gladioli in his garden, he needs to know some rules regarding their storage during the winter. To do this, you need to create certain conditions so that the plant will delight you with its flowers next year. Just leave it in the ground bulbs This is not possible, as this will lead to their death. But improper storage can also lead to this. Therefore, it is important to know how to store gladioli in winter.

Content:

Initially, you should start preparing the bulbs. To do this, you need to dig them out of the ground. This needs to be done at different times, depending on the climate and the period of cutting the flowers. If gladioli are grown closer to the south, then you can dig up the bulbs in October. But this procedure should be done only when at least a month has passed after cutting the flowers. For this reason, you should not delay the time of cutting off the inflorescences. After this you should check priming, since children may remain in it. You shouldn't throw them away. Next, the stem of the gladiolus is trimmed and the bulbs are processed. It is important to know how the primary processing of the bulbs is carried out. It consists of 2 stages:

After the work has been done, you can begin sorting the seed material. They are divided into groups by size. It is generally accepted that there should be 6 of them. But many gardeners separate the seeds into large bulbs and children. But sorting does not affect their storage in winter.

After thoroughly drying the bulbs, conditions should be created for storage. They are placed in cardboard boxes, in which holes are initially made. You can also put the seed material in nets that are designed for storing vegetables. The tubers must be kept in a cool place, which can often be a problem if an apartment has been chosen as the storage location. Gardeners do not recommend placing bulbs in the refrigerator. This can cause long roots to grow, which is bad for the plant. It is recommended to leave the bulbs on an unheated balcony or loggia.

If the search for a cool storage place ends unsuccessfully, then you can leave the bulbs at room temperature. But in this case you will have to tinker with them. Small bulbs can dry out. To prevent this from happening, they are placed in paper bags. You can also wrap them in newspaper. But initially you should sign the varieties gladioli. Those bulbs that are large will have to be reviewed regularly. If rot is noticed, then the bulb is removed. If the seed material is a little damp, then it should be dried a little.

Bulbs need special care especially in mid-winter. At this time, the dormant period of gladioli is coming to an end. This may cause the bulbs to sprout.If this happens, then you need to provide the gladioli with good diffused lighting. By the beginning of spring, the shoots reach 15 centimeters. They are colored green or reddish. Gladioli are left in this form until planting time.

There are some rules regarding storing gladioli in winter. Also, each person has the right to independently decide in what way to preserve the bulbs. They can be placed in a cardboard box. The main thing is not to forget to make holes. A wooden box is also suitable, since there are already gaps between the boards. The place where gladioli are stored must be at a certain temperature. 3-8 degrees is ideal for this.

Some people place the seeds in plastic bags. This is a big mistake; bulbs cannot be stored this way. Air will not penetrate through the bag, so the tubers will not be able to survive until spring. When the bulbs begin to sprout, you should change the way they are stored. A dark place will no longer do.

There are some pests, which are capable of attacking the plant. Leaving the bulbs in a warm place further increases the risk of disease. Thrips are considered the most dangerous pests for gladiolus. Room temperature is ideal for them to reproduce. This will lead to the fact that by spring the seed material will dry out greatly.

But the bulbs can be protected from such pests. To do this, you need to treat them with a special powder. Many flower growers who grow different flowers claim that a cockroach control agent is also suitable for this. So, in order for gladioli bulbs to survive until spring, different rules should be taken into account. If all the necessary conditions are created, then the tubers will lie quietly in the winter.

Video about preparing gladioli for the winter: