South African Bulbs 2011

[Darren]

Thanks! caeruleus (like scullyi) is a short one at only 30cm high and is a favourite of mine. This is just the first flower - more spikes and buds this year than I have seen before - and I'd almost lost this species at one point.

The orchidiflorus illustrated is a tall form at around 70cm. Much smaller forms exist, and I do have one or two, but I find them less vigorous by far. A small clay pot with Calochortus tolmei in it has a 'weed' bulb which I decided to let flower. It is a redder form of orchidiflorus and is even taller (looking very incongruous in a 9cm clay pot with a tiny Calochortus).

No supplemental lighting so stakes are often needed for the taller ones

[Regelian]

Darren,

great looking gladiolus.  Are these winter hardy for you?  or do you keep them in pots under cover?  I've tried a few from seed with absolutely no germination.  Is absolutely fresh seed required?

[Darren]

Hi Jamie,

Definitely not hardy so in pots in a greenhouse kept at 1C minimum. Though they have had -4 on occasions when I've been late closing up and switching heating on - they recover from the leaves being partially frozen but they were never this cold for long enough for the pots to freeze.

Alberto and I have had discussions about Gladiolus germination and I'm sure he can elaborate better than I. Apparently much commercial seed from South Africa comes infected with a fungus which causes rot of the seed when it gets moist. Seed collected from cultivated plants is far more reliable. Also, apparently viable looking seed sometimes contains no embryo - this often happens if temperatures are too low at flowering time for instance. I also feel that, like other cape bulbs, treatment of the seed after harvest is important and it must not be kept cold - it needs a post-harvest ripening period of warm temperatures for several weeks otherwise germination will not be triggered. Even then success is not guaranteed - I harvested hundreds of seeds of G carmineus last spring and they appeared fine and I stored them correctly but none germinated.

Some species are especially troublesome no matter what I do - I have never germinated G alatus despite getting good seed from a number of sources. I know I'm not the only person to experience this!

A well known grower of exhibition Gladioli in the UK says that seed should be sown deeply (as Ian Young would recommend with Crocus). I know Alberto disagrees with this and I am not convinced either. The 'reason' for this is that germination is disrupted unless even moisture is available, fair enough but, unlike Crocus, Gladiolus seed is primarily wind distributed and is not adapted to deep sowing. Keeping the seed at a constant moisture level is probably more important than actual depth of sowing.

If in the northern hemisphere my advice is that whenever you get seed it should be stored at room temperature and sown in late august/early september. Even if this means keeping the seed for nearly a year. Seed imported from South Africa in December has often just been harvested and has not had time for the ripening to occur. Dressing the seed with a fungicide powder at sowing time might also help.

[Ezeiza]

I insist, growing such perfect specimens under uncongenial conditions is extraordinary.

[Darren]

Thank you for that Alberto! 

I wish I could do so with Daubenya.....

[Ezeiza]

Darren, Daubenya (aurea, if this the one you are thinking of) is one of the easiest and more persistent of SA bulbs. The problem is that it is annoyingly slow to grow. Adult bulbs are undemanding under good sunshine conditions. It is hardier than others. It flowers reliably each year, set abundant (large) seed. The "flowers" are huge, unlike so many others that are dismaying in the flesh.

With your super skills you will find it a fine plant once they grow adult!

[Lesley Cox]

BEAUTUIFUL Gladiolus species. I lust for those things but we are unable to import very many.

[ArnoldT]

Gladiolus huttonii from a PBS distribution

[fleurbleue]

Amazing colours Arnold 

[bulborum]

Very nice one Arnold
Is this a short one ?

Roland

[daveyp1970]

Arnold i think my G. Huttonii should flower for the first time this year,cross fingers.Nice to see what to expect.

[Regelian]

Darren,

thanks for the germination tips.  maybe one needs to cover the pot with a clear chimney, to keep the moisture even.  I've had succes with cuttings using cut-of plastic bottles as mini greenhouses.  I've found seed of many woodland plants grow better in a small windowsill greenhouse.  One just has to be carefull of mildews.  I haven't given up on Gladiolus.  I'll keep on trying.  They really are beautiful things.

[Ezeiza]

Arnold, it is Bob's seed?

If it has cylindrical grooved leaves, it is one of the "Homoglads" and not true G. huttonii.

[daveyp1970]

Arnold, it is Bob's seed?

If it has cylindrical grooved leaves, it is one of the "Homoglads" and not true G. huttonii.

Alberto do you have any pics of G.huttonii leaves so i can compare them with my plants please.

[Ezeiza]

Davey, they are just barely sprouting at this time but I will take some.

Are you familiar with Gladiolus tristis? "Homoglads" have the same type of leaf since G. tristis is one of the parents.

True huttoni, priorii, etc. all have "normal" gladiolus leaf although a miniature of course.