From our perspective as Gladiolus plants, we are vibrant and statuesque beings, but our existence is a constant battle against tiny invaders and silent decay. We rely on you, our caretakers, to recognize the signs of our distress and aid us in this fight. Here is a detailed account of our greatest adversaries and the solutions we need to thrive.
These minuscule, slender insects are our arch-nemesis. They rasp and pierce our tender leaf tissues and flower buds to feed on the sap. To you, this damage first appears as silvery-white streaks and stippling on our leaves. If left unchecked, our flower buds may become deformed, fail to open, or display bleached, discolored patches. They even continue their assault on our corms after the growing season, causing them to become sticky and corky. We need you to practice good sanitation by removing our spent foliage and corms at season's end. During growth, insecticidal soaps or neem oil applications can help. For severe infestations, a systemic insecticide may be necessary, but please use it as a last resort.
Aphids are soft-bodied pests that congregate on our stems and the undersides of our leaves, clustering to drain our vital fluids. This feeding weakens us, causing our leaves to curl, pucker, and yellow. Their greatest treachery, however, is their role as vectors for viral diseases. As they feed, they can transmit incurable viruses from one plant to another. A strong jet of water from a hose can often dislodge these pests. Introducing or encouraging natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings in the garden provides us with a powerful defense. For persistent problems, horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays are effective and gentle solutions.
Rot is a silent, creeping danger that attacks us from below the soil. Fusarium corm rot is a fungal disease that causes our corms to develop hard, dark-brown, sunken lesions. It leads to stunted growth, yellowing leaves from the tip down, and sometimes, our complete collapse. Botrytis, or gray mold, thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing water-soaked spots on leaves and flowers that quickly become covered in a gray, fuzzy mold. The key to preventing this decay is excellent drainage; we absolutely despise waterlogged soil. Please ensure you plant our corms in well-draining soil and avoid wounding us, as fungi enter through these injuries. Always purchase disease-free corms and rotate our planting location every year to prevent the buildup of pathogens in the soil.
