Decoration of a summer cottage - gladiolus. To please the flowering, beautiful, but whimsical crops require care. How to feed gladioli for active growth and flowering? What to include in the flower menu? These questions are bothering many summer residents.
Description of gladioli
There are legends about the flower. According to legend, flowers grew from the swords of captured Thracian warriors, whom the Romans turned into gladiators. 2 captives: Sevt and Teres, made friends in captivity. By order of the Roman military commander, in order to entertain the public, they had a battle with each other. The winner was promised freedom and return home as a reward.
Top dressing for magnificent blossoming of gladioli
But the youths refused the fight, while plunging swords into the ground. They were put to death for disobedience. When the bodies of the soldiers came into contact with the earth, a miracle happened: the swords released their roots and blossomed. In honor of the bold gladiators, the name of the gladiolus appeared in plants. They symbolize friendship, loyalty, selflessness.
The plant is highly regarded for its decorative properties. Distinctive features of the flower:
- the form;
- dimensions;
- coloring;
- flowering time;
- long preservation in a cut.
Peduncle height varies from 0.5 to 1.3 m.
The word is translated from Latin as a sword. Gladiolus is like a sword. The inflorescence of the culture is a loose 1- or 2-sided spike. The dimensions of the inflorescence of dwarf varieties reaches 25 cm, up to 120 cm - in large-flowered.
Varietal variety of gladioli
Gladioli are striking in variety variety - there are 5,000. A variety lives on average about 10 years.
The leaves are alternate, sessile, linear or xiphoid, reaching a length of up to 80 cm. The roots of the gladiolus are corm.
On a note. With the blooming of new flowers, a rapid increase in the size of the peduncle occurs. Dimensions of flowers range from 3.5 to 26 cm.
A webbed box filled with winged seeds is the fruit of a flower. Their number is 250 pcs. The seeds have no dormant period. Sowing of seed material after collection is accompanied by germination after 2-3 weeks.
Proper fit
The magnificent flowering of gladioli is taken care of ahead of time. They dig a plot on the bayonet of a shovel and introduce rotted manure: 2 buckets per 1 m2. They feed the soil with potash and phosphorus fertilizers: per square - 40 g.
With the arrival of spring 20 days before the planned planting, urea is embedded in the soil: 20 g per 1 m2. When planting tubers, the soil is treated with phytosporin or potassium permanganate.
Phytosporin for processing
Among the popular means of fertilizing gladioli is tincture of garlic mass.
Before planting, the onions are kept in a biostimulator. Optionally, gladiolus grows on rich chernozem and sandstone with a slightly acidic pH. Acidification of the soil negatively affects the splendor of flowering.
Essential Nutrients
Gladiolus need nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, sometimes - in magnesium, calcium. When growing flowers in summer cottages, they are limited to making replenishes that contain 3 main nutrients: phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.
Fertilizer tips
What types of top dressing are needed for gladiolus
After planting the onions, the flowers are fed with nitrogen, which is responsible for growth, thanks to protein substances. A change in the color of the foliage signals nitrogen hunger. It turns into a pale green, a rich green hue speaks of an excess of nitrogen. Green mass develops, resistance to phyto-diseases decreases.
Phosphorus - this is what gladioli fertilize before flowering, affects the speed and number of bud formation. It provides hydrocarbon metabolism. Its lack provokes:
- paucity of buds;
- poor flowering;
- developmental delay.
Feeding young gladioli with phosphorus-containing compounds is carried out in the spring when 5 or 6 true leaves appear. Phosphorus replenishment at the budding stage is especially appreciated, the element is consumed actively in preparation for the formation of flowers.
In the formation of buds and throughout flowering, potassium-containing makeup is useful. It helps metabolic processes and the formation of carbohydrates. If an element is introduced, resistance to diseases, cold resistance increase. Potassium deficiency is responsible for the poor intake of trace elements in the corm.
Frequency of feeding
There are 4 stages of feeding the required elements. Fertilizing is carried out in liquid form, which is more effective than scattering in a flower bed. The stage of development of culture determines the frequency of feed. Plants are nourished at each developmental phase with an interval of 5-7 days. Before and after liquid feeding water the plants to prevent burns, improve the delivery of trace elements to the roots.
Stages of flower growth, which determine the recharge in the ground:
- The formation of the first 2-3 true leaflets.
- The appearance of 6 leaves.
- The beginning of the formation of peduncles.
- Flowering phase.
- After flowering to ripen the onions.
They feed flowers in the garden and between the main stages of development, recharge depends on the state of gladiolus.
The main stages of feeding
Stage of growth affects the introduction of organics, minerals. For good growth during planting, gladioli are fed with nitrogen in the open field.
When buds mature, phosphorus is required. Its lack affects the number of flowers.
Phosphorus in plant life
When budding, potassium is needed, which improves the immune system of the culture.
Important! Gladiolus differs from other garden flowers by the presence of a step-by-step scheme for feeding. For culture, the main thing is the right means and deadlines.
In order for the corms to ripen, you will need to add potassium and phosphorus.
Topping the bulbs before planting
Proper planting of gladioli includes the selection of a suitable site, as well as the preparation of onions for planting. Special fertilizers at the stage of planting improve the protection of flowers from phytoball diseases, activate the germination and saturation with useful substances.
Processing corms before planting
It will take 10 g of water for 1 g of potassium permanganate, 20 g of nitrate and 10 g of boric acid. Separately, 20 g of copper sulfate are diluted in 1 liter of water. Mix solutions. Corms are poured for half an hour before planting.
Attention! The mixture is prepared in a plastic or enameled container.
Foliar top dressing
It is important for summer residents to know how to stimulate the dissolution of gladioli than to feed flowers. Foliar replenishment is appropriate. For the season, plants are fed 3 times on the leaves.
In the budding phase, gladioli are sprayed with potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, boric acid or a complex mixture of trace elements.
To increase the number of flowers and the intensity of the color, in the last days of June, plants are sprayed with the composition, which will require:
- potassium permanganate - 1.5 g;
- copper sulfate - 1.5 g;
- zinc sulfate - 0.3 g;
- magnesium sulfate - 1 g;
- boric acid - 1 g;
- cobalt nitrate - 0.1 g.
The components are mixed with 10 l of liquid. In the last decade of July, flowers are treated with this composition again.
Foliar plant nutrition
The third foliar feeding helps to tie a large number of children. Foliar top dressing is carried out only in the evening or on a cloudy day.
First feeding
In the spring, gladioli feed for the first time:
- saltpeter - 35-40 g .;
- carbamide - 25-30 g;
- potassium sulfate - 20 g;
- superphosphate - 35 g;
- wood ash - 45-50 g.
The components are diluted in 10 l of liquid.
When to finish feeding
The last recharge of gladioli is carried out with the advent of the first autumn month. At the beginning of September, they are disinfected and simultaneously fed with a composition that is prepared from 5 g of potassium permanganate per 10 liters of liquid, and is spent per square of plantings. Stop fertilizing gladiolus after September 5th.
How to water
Replenishment will be beneficial when the composition, timing, form of fertilizer is correctly selected. Recommendations tell you how to properly water gladioli for excellent flowering:
- use a liquid composition;
- water intensively before and after recharge;
- loosen the earth, remove weeds;
- feed plants in the evening;
- water between the rows, not the roots.
Important! Rain after fertilizing means washing out and re-performing the manipulation.
Organics for flowering
Gardeners are interested in how to feed gladioli for abundant flowering. Organic fertilizers improve the structure of the soil.
Mullein
Diluted mullein feeds the flowers. An infusion is prepared from cow cakes, diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. The introduction of mullein reduces the acidity of the earth, making it porous and light.
Chicken droppings
The tool is used in dry and liquid form. It has a positive effect on the structure of the soil. Replenishes potassium reserves, allows the flower to quickly build up green mass, helps to bloom.
Important! Due to the high nitrate content, litter is used 1 time.
Chicken manure is used in a proportion of 1:15, insist 3 days, irrigate the aisles.
Horse dung
On a bucket of water spend 1 kg of overripe cakes, leave for insisting for a day. Mix in half with a liquid.
Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers
To support the growth and development of gladiolus, a solution of superphosphate (30 g) and potassium sulfate (20 g) is useful. The components are diluted with 10 l of water. The volume of the mixture is enough per square of beds.
Fertilizer complexes for additional fertilizing
The introduction of auxiliary makeup will increase the flowering time of the gladiolus. At the stage of bud formation, gladioli are fed with a complex of elements that are dissolved in 10 l of liquid:
- potassium sulfate - 15 g;
- carbamide - 15 g;
- superphosphate - 30 g.
Exclude from the composition of the nitrogen feed in the future. A mixture for additional feeding is prepared using superphosphate (30 g) and potassium sulfate (20 g) on a 10-liter bucket.
Complex mineral fertilizers in flower care
They use complex preparations Fertika Lux and Kemira station wagon according to the instructions.
Fertilizers for gladioli when planting in spring and summer
The landing of gladioli occurs in central Russia at the end of April and the first decade of May. For the first time, they feed a flower when preparing the soil.
Before planting corms, in 2 weeks, urea (20-30 g) is closed by digging in 1 square of the flower bed. They also bring in organic matter (compost or humus) when planting.
The main recharge is made when 2-3 leaves appear, when the gladiolus requires nitrogen. Water the plants under the root with a solution (3 tbsp. L. Nitrate per 10 l of liquid).
They feed the flower during flowering at least 5 times. In the summer, micronutrient supplementation on leaves is effective using:
- copper sulfate;
- potassium permanganate;
- magnesium
- boric acid;
- gland.
The main needs of the culture in the summer season are potassium salts. Plant nutrition for abundant flowering is the arrangement of potassium with phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilize plants in late summer after flowering with potassium and superphosphate.
On a note. When using double superphosphate, the agent is poured with boiling water and expected to dissolve completely.
Then, 200 g of the solution are diluted in 10 l of liquid and water the gladioli.
In August-September, potassium sulfate or kalimagnesia is a popular substance for plant nutrition.
How to feed
Folk remedies for feeding
Gardeners use folk methods to feed gladioli.
Ash
The use of ash provides abundant flowering and saturation of the soil with phosphorus and potassium.
Banana peel
Suitable before landing. Fruit skins are dried in an oven and chopped. Before planting, the onions are added to the ground.
Tincture of banana peel on water is used before flowering and at the stage of budding. Fresh raw materials are poured with liquid and insisted for 7 days. The problem is a large amount of consumables, you will have to collect skins for a long period.
Nettle
The plant is distinguished by the content of nitrogen, iron, potassium and easily digestible vitamins. To prepare the infusion, grass is filled in a spacious dish for 1/3 of the volume. Pour liquid, leave to ferment. Insisting means takes a week, then diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. A glass of liquid is enough to fertilize 1 flower.
Herbal infusion for the development of gladioli
Tip. Adding bread crusts will speed up the fermentation process.
How to cook with your own hands
If you are preparing recharge yourself, observe the following requirements:
- In order for the buds to form and the saturation of the flowers to increase, it is necessary to feed the plants: 15 g of urea and potassium sulfate, 30 g of superphosphate are taken per 10 liters of water. The components are carefully mixed with the liquid, treated with a row-spacing solution.
- Complex dressings that hold back trace elements are just right for flowers. Before flowering, gladioli are fed with potassium sulfate (20-25 g.) And superphosphate (25-30 g.). The ingredients are mixed and introduced into a 10 liter bucket of water.
- Organic matter is used for fertilizing: mullein, bird droppings, horse manure. The mixture is poured with 10 liters of water and left for 4-5 days for infusion.
- A liter can of mullein is added to 10 liters of water and the flower bed is watered between rows.
To obtain a decorative effect, top dressing of gladioli is required during the growing season. Proper care and fertilizer of plants will provide beautiful flowering next year.