Why are my gladioula flowers small and they are dying back already?

Question

i live in Nevada by Reno, so it is hot here. The gladioulas bloomed but the flowers are small. They get morning light until about 10:30 am and protected from afternoon shade. This is the first time I have planted them. I noticed today that they are starting to die back on the lower blossoms and have only been in bloom for a week and a half. Will the blossoms be bigger next year? If they die off do I cut them back for next year?

Answer 1

1) plant bulbs 6" deep..no shallower, or the plants will fall over when blooming
2) Keep well watered, feed with miracle gro to package directions
3) all blooms this year were set last fall, so nothing you can do now will effect this year's blooms.
4) Feed well for 30 + days after blooms fade.
5) Leave plants alone, they will die all by themselves, and if you have done it right, will have big blooms next year.
6) when planting bulbs, plant in terms of one week apart...like 2 dozen the first week, 2 dozen the second week, etc. up until about the first of August...you will have blooms all summer long that way. PS..your glads need lots of sunlight, prefer full sun and good amount of water to support those blooms. When they start blooming, after the first 3-4 blooms open, cut the stalk and use as arrangements in side..the blooms will continue to open for about 1 or so weeks. good luck

Answer 2

Glads do bloom and then seem to die from the bottom up-- that's the way the blooms open. The size of the bloom is related to the size of the corms (not bulbs) . And they do grow larger. The leaves should stay green tho to build the energy for next year. You need plenty of water at the base of the flower-- in your environment of desert water is vital. If they are actually getting full sun from 10:30 AM on-- they may be getting too much sun. If you didn't plant the corms with what is called bone meal-- sprinkle some around the bottom of the plants-- if you haven't mulched-- do so after the bone meal. Locate a fertilizer for Glads and put some of it with the bone meal for next year blooms-- I use cypress or cedar shreds for mulch here in Oklahoma-- pine bark looks good but when you do get those gully flush rains-- the pine bark floats away!
I would also set up some sort of drip irrigation to place under the mulch-- in the past I've used the black type that seeps-- made from old tires. Works great especially under the mulch.
Have fun-- you'll learn as you go-- and there is always next year.
Good luck

Answer 3

glads don't like to be crowded maybe they are planted to close together. Also the amount of water also effects how they bloom. My suggestion is if they are crowded dig some up and spread them out and water them regularly