Gladiolus sp. flowers aborting

[Anthony Darby]

Why do these buds form and then shrivel up? They are two gladioli, seed grown from separate sources, and have not flowered before. I grow them in gritty compost in full sun outside. December was wet, January quite dry, but they do get water.

[fermi de Sousa]

I would suspect thrip damage, Anthony,
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Anthony,

I agree with Fermi, I would first suspect thrips. They are fairly easy to see when checking inside the unopened flower buds and other places they hide and feed on the plant. Especially check on the flowering stems.

[Robert]

Anthony,

I took another closer look at the leaves. If you do not find thrips, check for mites on the leaves. The plant would have to be under considerable stressed for mites to cause that sort of damage to the flowering stems - at least here in hot, dry interior California, but it does happen around here. Hopefully this information will be, at least, of some help.

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks. I'll check the plants.