How to store gladioli in winter to enjoy their beautiful flowering in summer

Gladiolus always took a place of honor among other flowers on the backyard and suburban areas. Magnificent inflorescences, noble stem shape and variety of species are the main reasons for the popularity of these beautiful plants. To flower growers who are just beginning to master the art of growing these garden aristocrats, it is necessary to know not only how to properly care for them, but also how to store gladioli, or rather their bulbs, in winter, That next year these flowers could again please the eye.

Preparation of bulbs for wintering

First of all, it should be learned that the bulbs of gladioli do not tolerate the cold, so you can not leave them in the winter in the earth - even at zero soil temperature they die. In the autumn, corms and babies (tubers) of plants are excavated from the ground, but this can be done no earlier than one and a half months after the flowers are cut off, since it is during this period that they are formed. Even if your gladioli at the end of the summer are not going to bloom, do not be afraid to cut them, so that it does not happen that the frosts come earlier than the time will come to dig out the bulbs. After removal from the soil of tubers, their primary treatment is carried out.

By the way, in the question of how to properly store gladioli, it is the preliminary preparation of corms that plays the main role. At the first stage, they are washed to prevent disease. For this they fall for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The second stage includes their qualitative drying. And then the bulbs are sorted by size and grades, although some growers only practice the selection of adult tubers from children.

Where to store gladioli in winter?

To store bulbs of gladioli, cardboard boxes with pre-made holes in them for ventilation can be used. In this case, it is recommended that each copy be wrapped in a newspaper. Excellent future gladioli will also feel great in well-ventilated wooden boxes. Another great option for storing gladioli is vegetable nets, such as in which fruits and vegetables are sold in supermarkets. As for the optimal temperature regime, it is 3-8 degrees, so a refrigerator, cellar or cellar is suitable for wintering bulbs. Periodically, you need to make a revision of tubers, and in case of moisture on them - to dry. Categorically, polyethylene bags are not suitable for storage of bulbs, because polyethylene can not provide air access, and future gladioli simply rot.

How to store gladioli (bulbs) after the end of the rest period

Approximately in the second half of January, the corms end in a rest period. Their body wakes up and begins the process of germination. In this regard, future gladioli will require changes in storage conditions. Noticing the first signs of the awakening of bulbs, they must be taken out of the refrigerator and "moved" to a bright place where there will be no direct sunlight. All of the above recommendations on how to store the gladiolus, concern and tuberkills (children).