Gladiola bulbs, plant now or wait?

Discussion in 'Flower Gardening' started by Green_Numb, May 5, 2009.

  1. Green_Numb

    Green_Numb In Flower

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    i have some gladiolus sitting in a bag on the shelf, can i plant them now or should i wait?

    I really dont like having to dig up and store bulbs which i read you might have to do with glads but i was wondering if a heavy mulched area will protect them since im in 7b and it doesnt get that bad in the winter here?
     
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  3. Palm Tree

    Palm Tree Young Pine

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    I just planted my Gladioli bulbs on 26 April and it is startign to come up - BUT I only dug it up to shift them to a new bed. What I do is to leave them where they are and before this shift they have been in the ground for 4 years.
    Depending on the area and your climate - If you have a hybrid type gladioli you need to lift them to prevent hard or soft rot.
    Oops I almost forgot to ask - Are your bulbs the spring flowering type of the Autumn flowering type?
     
  4. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I would go ahead and plant them. Here in north Texas they would bloom the first year in the ground but I don't know about in NC. But at least they will have a chance to put out leaves that can absorb energy from the sun, feeding the bulbs so they will bloom next year.

    I am in 7b also and mine stay in the ground year round. I planted the original dozen or so bulbs roughly
    6 years ago, they multiply like crazy and now I have several dozen I have replanted all over the yard.
     
  5. gardenmama

    gardenmama In Flower

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    I am planting mine here in Vermont this weekend. the ground is soft enough and certainly warm enough.
     



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  6. Green_Numb

    Green_Numb In Flower

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    cool, i will get mine in this weekend too! :)

    i'll have to look and see what type they are, i know they came from walmart but i will report back what i have..
     
  7. smiles4sunshine54

    smiles4sunshine54 New Seed

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    I'd go ahead and plant them. Even if they don't bloom this year, they can store energy for next year's blooms. If left sitting on a shelf, they may dry out too much and die...and you know, that would be horrible! So plant and enjoy!
     
  8. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    I am going to plant mine when I get home.
     
  9. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    I'd plant them now Green_Numb :)
     
  10. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

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    I'm going to try to plant mine this weekend also (weather permitting) I found some Glaminis and Tiny Tots in a catalog. They are just mini glads :p I hope they do their thing :D I will put these in some big wine barrel planters. I never bother to dig mine and I'm in zone 6. Some come back and spread. Others just rot and become mulch :rolleyes: What colors did you get?? I love them, just wish they had a fragrance!
     

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