Acidanthera

[Len Rhind]

I planted acidanthera bulbs last year and they flowered very well. I lifted and stored them for the winter and they have grown well again this year but without flowering.
Does anyone else have experience with these bulbs and can tell me if this is usual or not.
Thanks,
Len

[partisangardener]

I had the experience, when stored cold frostfree they rarely bloomed and started late. After I stored them  at about 15 to 20 C° dry in the pot (re potted early spring) they started more early. They also need a lot of feeding while they are growing.

[fleurbleue]

I have had the same experience Len  they rarely flower the second year so I buy new bulbs each year because they are not expensive 

[David Nicholson]

I don't lift mine and they flower well each year, I have had them for around five years. By the way they are now Gladiolus murielae

[Len Rhind]

Thanks, everyone. That is helpful.
Len

[Ezeiza]

It has a very long season of growth and flowers late in the season, when other gladioli are fattening for the winter.

Here, in our mild cimate do better with afternoon shade. They are mountain plants and like it cool. They also do best when not lifted for the winter. There must be something to do with the perennial roots.

Incidentally, it will be found under Gladiolus callianthus.

[fleurbleue]

Thank you Ezeiza, they are this year in pot and I'll leave them so potted in a frost free garage for winter. Let and see for next year 

[brianw]

Gladiolus murielae
Thought I would resurrect this thread David. If you are still growing them without lifting you must have enough to cover half of Devon ;-)
I tried replanting my last years bulbs, after removing all the "spore" and only got 1 flower stem before the frosts. Another dozen or so were just about to flower when they got cut of by the frost last week. The numerous small offsets planted separately grew quite large leaves eventually but I have not looked to see how large the resultant bulbs are.
Is the secret a mild climate and a long growing season to keep them flowering? Newly bought bulbs seem to flower all right for me, just not those I keep.

[David Nicholson]

Funny you should raise this today Brian, I've just treated them to their annual sulphate of potash treat.

They are still doing very well indeed. A couple of years ago I dug up about half the patch and got rid of some of the older bulbs and re-planted the offsets, and maybe I'll do the same to the other half next year. They do seem to like it here.