Storing Gladiolus illyricus?

[JPB]

How to store very small (1-2mm) first-year G. illyricus bulbs? They are going in summer-rest already... Dry or burried and do I have to water them occasionally?

Hans

[Lesley Cox]

I would be inclined to leave them in their pot (Seed pot?) and keep them dry or almost so, but cool, not cooked. Perhaps a little water if the compost seems really arid for a long time.

[Sinchets]

Dormant already? This native species isn't even in growth here yet. 

[Ezeiza]

That's right, Simon. It flowers in Spring and only in late spring goes dormant.

As for dormancy, better not to bake them at such a young age.

[JPB]

Yes indeed, very early!!! But these are kept in my living room, so maybe they think it is summer already? Those in my greenhouse are still growing and I hope they will keep doing so the next months.

And thanks Lesley, I'll folow your guidelines.

Hans

[Ezeiza]

Gladiolus illyricus is tender in the Netherlands?

[J.B.Wyllie]

I have mine in the garden and it survives OK.Oh you say what about this year? Well it was OK after 1996 and we had deeper frosts then. Over -20c.

Jean

[Ezeiza]

That was my point. It does not seem to be a plant for a greenhouse, only a protected place to avoid the wind break the flower stems, perhaps.

[JPB]

My plants originate from the Cabo de Gata area in SE-Spain. So I try to accomodate their natural condidtions...
Funny to hear of their frost restistence. While their geographic distribution is truely Mediterranian, isn't it?

Jean, do you leave the dormant bulbs in your garden during summer or do you dig them up and store dry?

[David Nicholson]

It survives with me.

[Sinchets]

Hans, 'Bulbs' by Phillips and Rix describes the distribution of this species as from southern England southwards to the south and west Mediterranean. It is also found in several floristic regions in Bulgaria up to an altitude of 1500m, which means snow cover for at least 1 month in winter. I wonder if there is any variability throughout this range?