How to care for newly purchased gladiolus
How to grow a straight and tall flower spike from a newly acquired gladiolus? This bulbous flower, known as "sword lily", is favored by horticulture enthusiasts for its elegant inflorescence and rich colors. This article will guide you from choosing a potting mix to adjusting the environment, to create a suitable care plan for gladiolus growth.
One, Key Points for Potting Mix Preparation
1.1 Container Material Selection
It is recommended to use plastic pots or unglazed ceramic pots with a diameter of 15-20cm, as these materials can balance breathability and water retention. Avoid using metal or glazed pots, as the former is prone to rust affecting the roots, and the latter has poor breathability and easily causes waterlogging.
1.2 Soil Mixture Scheme
Prepare the substrate according to the ratio of peat soil: perlite: river sand = 3:1:1, and line the bottom with 2cm of ceramsite to enhance drainage. Change the potting soil every 2 years, and it is safer to transplant with 1/3 of the protective soil during the dormant period.
Two, Water and Fertilizer Management Tips
2.1 Scientific Watering Schedule
Keep a watering interval of 3-5 days in spring and autumn, spray water twice a day in summer, and change to watering thoroughly every 7-10 days in winter. Water when the topsoil is dry by 2cm, avoiding waterlogging that can cause bulb rot.
2.2 Nutrition Supply Strategy
Apply diluted composted soybean cake water (1:1000) every half month during the growing period, and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the budding period. Follow the principle of applying thin and frequent fertilizers, and only apply slow-release fertilizer once in the first month for new plants.
Three, Environmental Control Points
3.1 Temperature Control Range
Keeping the daytime temperature at 20-25℃/nighttime temperature at 15-18℃ is optimal. In summer, when the temperature exceeds 32℃, shading is needed to cool down, and in winter, when the temperature is below 5℃, it should be moved indoors. Maintaining a day-night temperature difference of 8-10℃ can promote bud differentiation.
3.2 Light Demand Management
Need more than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, and extend to 8 hours during the bud differentiation period. In the strong sunlight period of summer, shade 30%, and use shade nets to adjust the light intensity.
Four, Common Questions Answered
For yellow leaves: check if there is waterlogging and root rot; for lodging: increase light and supplement calcium fertilizer; for not flowering: ensure it goes through a complete vernalization process, and maintain a low temperature of 5℃ for 4-6 weeks in winter.