[lancashiregardeninggal]

Back in the middle of May I planted some Gladioli, they are growing well but I have no flowers yet.  I have thrown the pack away, but thought they may be flowering by now - they don't seem to be getting any taller.  Am I just being impatient - flowers aren't my thing really

[arugula]

I grew them once, lovely dark electric blue ones! I don't really know the answer, but I wonder if it hasn't been warm enough for them to produce flower? I would have thought they should be flowering by now too.

[sunshineband]

It has been very dry and has affected everything this year.

Just give them water and some tomato food, and they should flower eventually.


Also, some corms sold are really only borderline large enough to flower, and they spend  a year building up strenght and burst forth the following year.

(I took ours up once the tops were frosted and replanted them in April)

[sion01]

My gladioli are the same.Don't worry if all else fails just lift them when the foliage dies down and try again next year.

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Thankyou all for the replies - the corms were a little on the small side - will see what happens.........

[sion01]

Mine were too so I wasn't expecting much so if they don't flower this year they'll be strong bulbs for next year

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Mine were too so I wasn't expecting much so if they don't flower this year they'll be strong bulbs for next year

How high are yours already?  Although thats probably a daft question as chances are they won't be the same type

[sunshineband]

I have a smallish variety and the non flowering immature sheaths are only a foot tall, whereas my plot neighbour has full size ones in flower. These are a metre high 

[sion01]

Their about 2 foot high and there should be a sign of a flower spike but there isn't.I bought them at wilko and they weren't in very good condition when I opened the pack and I was pleasently surprised that they grew at all.I bought them because they were nearly half the price of the corms from the company I normaly buy from.

I bet they'd have lovely flowers on them by now O well another lesson learnt

[sunshineband]

Then they sound like full size ones that are either late flowering or will need another year of growing 

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Well , I'm assuming that mine are a tall variety as they are 3ft already.  The dog has been jumping about there but no damage to the Gladioli and they have very strong growth - don't actually mind if I don't get flowers this year - good to hear the replies

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Well - noticed today the first flowers - see - if I had just waited another 2/3 weeks 



Beautiful they are too.

[sion01]

Funilly enough I was contemplating telling you yesterday that mine were starting to flower too.See.I told you to be patient

[lancashiregardeninggal]

Don't know the meaning of the word.

[chrisnchris]

Just as a further question, or point noted, I planted ours in April I think. They all grew to about 5' with fantastic flower spikes. They all needed to be supported on canes. The last flowers died off about 2 weeks ago. I might stagger the planting times next year.

They have all been dead headed, but how long should I leave the bulbs in the ground for, & what is the best way to store them for next year?
If any have produced smaller corms, should these be broken off & planted as individuals?

This was their first year & the bulbs when planted were about 35-40mm in diameter