Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus

[mark smyth]

Anyone know how to care for Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus? I've had the bulbs for two growing seasons but they have never flowered. I keep them dry in the summer and water in the autumn when the other bulbs get are woken from dormancy.

[mark smyth]

Anyone?

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Don't know about this hybrid Mark, but Gladiolus tristis does perfectly well here outside in the garden.  Flowering well in mid Spring in our Belgian climate which is quite similar to yours : wet in Summer and in Winter.
It comes from a cape winter rainfall area where it grows even in marshy soil.
So I wouldn't keep it dry at all.

I don't know caryophyllaceus ..

Hope this helps.

[mark smyth]

Thanks

[Paul T]

Mark,

I'd tend to agree I think.  My tristis never dry out completely as I do tend to give them some water during summer.  Plenty of water while growing should help as well, as without it they seem to miss flowering (I find that usually happens in the ground here, whereas they flower in the pots because they get watered without root competition from elsewhere.  I don't grow caryophyllaceus either, so can't comment on that one.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Paul. I must pot them today

[fermi de Sousa]

  My tristis never dry out completely as I do tend to give them some water during summer.  Plenty of water while growing should help as well, as without it they seem to miss flowering (I find that usually happens in the ground here, whereas they flower in the pots because they get watered without root competition from elsewhere.  I don't grow caryophyllaceus either, so can't comment on that one.

Paul,
Strangely enough they have exactly the opposite regime here! Mine are in a raised bed which doesn't get watered over the summer (but admittedly isn't covered, so could get some rain) and they flower each year. Likewise where they've naturalised along the roadside between home and work - some are on the edge of a ditch so this could accumulate water in the summer.
cheers
fermi

[Paul T]

Fermi,

I think the problem with mine not flowering is not enough water when in growth, not water or absence there of during dormancy.  When I've had them in the ground they've had root competition for the available moisture too, so lost out there as well.