Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Cultivation => Cultivation Problems => Topic started by: mark smyth on July 30, 2009, 09:23:22 PM

Title: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: mark smyth on July 30, 2009, 09:23:22 PM

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.

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: mark smyth on August 07, 2009, 08:31:38 AM

Anyone?

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on August 07, 2009, 01:34:20 PM

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.

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: mark smyth on August 07, 2009, 05:59:52 PM

Thanks

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: Paul T on August 18, 2009, 08:26:20 AM

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.

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: mark smyth on August 18, 2009, 10:02:37 AM

Thanks Paul. I must pot them today

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 19, 2009, 05:13:24 AM

Quote from: Paul T on August 18, 2009, 08:26:20 AM

  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

Title: Re: Gladiolus tristus x caryophyllaceus
Post by: Paul T on August 19, 2009, 06:24:23 AM

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.  ;)