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How to Get the Gladiolus Blossom to Open Up
How to Get the Gladiolus Blossom to Open Up. Gladiolus stalks are cut and shipped to florists when they are in bud. This ensures that the flowers will be freshly blossomed when they are placed in floral arrangements. Buds that have emerged from the greenery and have a good show of color are nearly ready to blossom out. If you have cut gladiolus...
Gladiolus stalks are cut and shipped to florists when they are in bud. This ensures that the flowers will be freshly blossomed when they are placed in floral arrangements. Buds that have emerged from the greenery and have a good show of color are nearly ready to blossom out. If you have cut gladiolus spikes from a flower bed or have purchased them from a florist, you can get the buds to start opening up to the full blossom stage. The best time to harvest a gladiolus spike is when the second floret has blossomed out.
Things You'll Need
Bucket
Sharp knife
Vase
Fill a tall bucket with about 6 inches of lukewarm water. Cut the gladiolus with a sharp knife by slicing straight through the spike. The flowering spikes should be harvested in the early morning hours before the heat of the sun is on them. Leave at least four leaves on the plant to support the corm for future planting.
Cut the gladiolus spikes on a diagonal slant with a sharp knife under water in the sink.
Fill a vase with lukewarm water. Place the glads into the vase.
Set the vase in a room that is warm. Place the glads away from an area that has any draft, fan movement or air conditioning which may hamper the blooming stages. A cool room will also keep the flowers from blossoming out.
Tips & Warnings
Do not put very warm or hot water into the vase to force the flowers to blossom or you will kill the glads.
