Gladioli-No flowers?

[Biggles]

I bought quite a few Gladioli Bulbs earlier on in the year (which I planted at the right time ) some in the bed facing West which does get sun and some in the Shady Border.--I have loads of healthy green leaves but no sign of flowers. Have I bought some 'Do-Do's? Should I just sling them or will they produce any flowers for next year?
Any suggestions welcome--Bigs

[Cheerypeabrain]

Hullo Bigs...You may well still get a few flowers. I too had some in a shady area (mine are in a trough), also purchased as bulbs early this year and planted at the correct time. They only started throwing up flower spikes a couple of days ago. None are open yet.

[Biggles]

CPB- Thanks for your reply--I will let you know if I get any flowers--

[Jonah]

Hi Biggles
I've got some south facing, although they do miss the morning sun as they are sheltered by a wall. I've got two in flower now, and it looks like a couple on the way, but it's only been this week they've shown themselves.
Actually, they are not showing themselves very well at all. Can you believe that they seem to prefer facing the north facing blinking shed! I can see the backs of the flowers!
Would I be totally stupid if I turned the bulbs round for next year?

[Weeterrier]

Your flowers will appear soon Biggles, Gladioli are late bloomers, late August/early September usually.

[Biggles]

WT--
So pleased you let me know about the late flowering because I very nearly pulled them up. thinking I had bought some 'dud' ones. Thank Goodness for GWD- because these sort of queries are never written about in Books so Gardeners with experience can help and advice-;D
The other question is--
I didn't plant all the Gladioli corms and have a good few left in the packet-If I keep these for next year will they also grow?

Jonah--

[Missredhead]

none of mine have flowers yet either..lots of leaves that are getting knocked over with all the rain.

[Jasmine]

It always amazes me how quickly gladioli flower spikes appear - when they do show their heads! It almost seems as though one day you have just leaves and the next day there is a noticeable flower spike.

[Cheerypeabrain]

Mine started flowering yesterday but 3 of them were blown over in the wind They're in a vase now. ;D

[Biggles]

That is one reason why I am not keen on Gladioli-Too much staking--and they just look like soldiers lined up- I only planted them because I was given them and have loads more in a bag--maybe for next year?

[Ruthie]

You should be able to tell if you're going to get flowers by the thickness of the stem. If it is quite thick and feels solid when you run your fingers up it that indicates there is a flower growing within.
As for the dry bulbs. keep them 'til next year but if by then they are rather wizened (which they may well be) chuck them as it won't be worth the effort.
If the ones you've planted this year don't flower I think you can guess what to do with the remaining bulbs!!

[Biggles]

Thanks SR When it stops raining (perhaps tomorrow) I will do as you have suggested. I have bought A Crocosmia (Lucifer) and a Day Lily both in Pots ready for a space in the garden which I would be able to use to fill in the gaps when I 'turf' out those Gladioli if necessary.
Will let you know the Verdict ;D

[Missredhead]

I pulled up half of mine today...the leaves had gone see-thru....
No flowers at all on any of them, not even the ones that I have left in.

[Biggles]

MRH
As you can see--Top left in photograph and bottom right--My Gladioli--with no flowers-- I think I will give it another week and then pull them up-then throw the ones I have left out!!

SR
--I have felt and 'looked' to see if there are any signs of flowers but there is nothing but leaves--
I am disappointed because it would have given this border a little colour at this time of year--Never mind-- there is always next year-

[Missredhead]

It is disappointing isn't it....I have left some in but they are all leaves and they are very droopy too, I have staked them up but don't hold out much hope for them.

Time will tell I guess.

[Weeterrier]

Don't fret, some of mine have flowered, but others haven't. I often think they aren't going to flower, then, wham, the spike erupts from nowhere. Leave them till mid-September at least. They are very late-flowering.
Never say die in gardening girls.

[Biggles]

Guess I will have to be patient Wee. but if they dont flower by the time I am ready to clear the spent annuals ready for the Spring Flowers then--'out-they-go'.
Personally I think when I only have room for a few plants then Gladioli take up alot of space --and seem to take ages to come into flower-so maybe they are not really the type of flowers I need for my small garden ;D
MRH--Have you dug all yours up yet or are you waiting a couple more weeks (like me)?

[Barbara]

2 white ones have just burst into flower in my back garden biggs, so maybe you still have time

[Jasmine]

My gladiolas are still coming out and I still have tightly closed flower spikes and green leaves with no flower spikes evident at the moment.

[nightowl]

Mine have been pathetic too I reckon they just haven't had enough warmth (and nor have I - Corfu on Friday )

[Biggles]

Oh you are lucky N O Lovely hot sunshine-think of us when you are basking in that lovely weather. Maybe the Gladioli will be in flower when you return. Have a good holiday--Bigs

[Missredhead]

Aug 25, 2008 20:50:40 GMT Biggles said:

MRH--Have you dug all yours up yet or are you waiting a couple more weeks (like me)?

I dug out the ones in the big pots but left the ones in the flower bed

[Amo]

I've had quite a good show this year but it's their second year in. I don't think I had even half of what I put in come up but then I don't dig them up either so they had to fend for themselves.

[Plocket]

Any joy from yours yet Biggles? Mine are just coming now

[Biggles]

No Plocket not a flower showing, they are all green floppy leaves, although I did plant (from the same bag) in my neighbour's garden and they are flowering-so I guess it must be my soil/position that have made mine fail.
I will give them another couple of weeks and then--out--ready for Spring plants/bulbs.
Hope you had a good holiday.I missed you on the Boards--Bigs

[Plocket]

Aw thank you for missing me! We had a lovely holiday thank you, but are all back to the normal work/school routine today. It's very quiet here!!!

What a shame. Are they in a sunny spot? And what sort of soil have you got? Mine are in clay but I started them off in soil - I don't know whether that made a difference or not.

[Biggles]

They were planted in partial shade-and the soil wasn't exactly very good. Nevermind --a lesson to be learnt--Gladioli--are best in a sunny position--and I might just do the same as you next year--start them off in better soil and then plant them out.

[Plocket]

Have you thought of growing them in a pot and putting the pot somewhere sunny? I saw someone doing that on holiday and they looked fabulous. It was fairly crammed too

[Dutchy]

In pots you always can cram them in real tight.
I thought I dug all the not well flowering ones ( ie all ) up last year but now have two in flower
The ones I did plant at MssK did depressingly little. Two flower stems and not much else worth mentioning.
The missed ones are in the suniest spot I have the ones at MssK in half shade.

And now for some slight deviation of topic.........
By the way Bigs in my search for dry shade loving plants I have so far come up with two little ferns.
Polipodium vulgare an ever green that reaches to a hight of 1 foot.
Asplenium trichomanes which dies down but has lovely foliage and is also not getting over 1 foot high.

Some one suggested Euphorbia amigd. robbiae. Relative of the woolfsmilk but wit a phlox paniculata like habit and yellow flowers. When you cut it back after flowering it will form underground stems to shoot up elsewhere and it will grow where nothing else dares to go beyond.
The latter probably means it is spreading like mad and could be defined as a weed. I have no experiance with it whatso ever so can't tell.
I still hold that Geranium macrorhizome ingwers variety would do nicely too.
When all fails you can still get pots underneath and maybe get a deluxe watering system

Cheers

[Weeterrier]

I grew three lots of Gladioli this year. Two named varieties from Homebase which were much more expensive than the ones from LIDL. Hardly any of the "good" ones flowered, but the LIDL ones did really well.
I love that shop.