How to keep gladioli fresh in a vase for longer

Do you know what gladioli are? They are flowers whose blossoms grow on long stems. With the right care, they can last a long time as cut flowers. Read on to find out what you need to bear in mind.

Almost everyone knows gladioli. They are decorative plants that form long, firm, slender stems on which the flowers sit. In summer, the flowers open one after the other, with the lower ones blooming first. Gladioli bloom for two weeks before they wilt. This is why they are so popular as cut flowers — you can enjoy them for a long time.

How to keep gladioli as cut flowers for a long time

If you pick gladioli from the garden, cut them in the early morning. This way, they are still fresh and rested from the night. Since gladioli do not like dry conditions (in the flower bed either, so make sure the soil is evenly moist), place the cut flowers in a vase as soon as possible.
Leave four to five leaves on the plant. The plant needs these leaves to continue photosynthesis. In autumn, it stores the nutrients from the leaves in the corms. This is important for the tubers to sprout and bloom again next year.
Only cut gladioli whose lower flowers have opened enough for you to see their colour. If the stems are very long, it is best to remove the top flower. This takes a lot of energy from the plant, meaning that the other flowers will not develop as well.
Most gladioli originate from South Africa. Therefore, they like warm conditions. This applies not only to sunny spots in the garden, but also to cut flowers. Therefore, use lukewarm water in the vase, not cold water.
Give your gladioli a little extra care: Adding a little sugar will keep them well nourished, while adding a dash of vinegar will reduce bacteria growth, keeping your gladioli in tip-top condition.
Before placing the gladioli in water, remove the lower leaves. Make sure that no leaves are in the water. If they rot, the water will become cloudy.
Cut the stems before placing the flowers in water. It doesn’t matter whether you cut them at an angle or straight across. The important thing is to place the flowers in water immediately after cutting.
Make sure you use a tall vase with a heavy base to prevent it from tipping over.
Find a nice spot in the room for the vase. Do not place them in direct sunlight or near a fruit bowl. They will wilt more quickly in both places.