Acidanthera, also known as Abyssinian gladiolus or peacock lily, is a graceful summer-flowering bulb that produces elegant white blooms with alluring purple centers. With its exotic appeal and sweet fragrance acidanthera is a delightful addition to the late summer garden. But getting these tropical-looking bulbs off to a vigorous start requires some specialized care.
Follow this complete guide to successfully planting your acidanthera bulbs for bountiful blooms.
Choosing High-Quality Bulbs
When selecting acidanthera bulbs, bigger is always better. Large bulbs between 4-6 cm already have ample stored energy to fuel robust foliage and abundant flowering Smaller bulbs take longer to bloom and produce less impressive results Look for bulbs that are firm, blemish-free, heavy for their size, and free of soft spots or mold. Shriveled, damaged, or mushy bulbs often fail to thrive.
Where to Site Acidanthera for Optimal Growth
For the best performance, acidanthera requires:
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Full sun – Anything less can result in reduced flowering and floppy growth.
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Fertile, well-drained soil – Heavy, soggy soil can cause bulbs to rot. Add compost to improve drainage in dense soils.
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Shelter from strong winds – Staking may be needed in very exposed sites.
Some ideal planting sites include:
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Flower beds and borders – Mix acidanthera with late summer perennials like ornamental grasses.
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Containers – Grow bulbs solo in pots or combine with annuals. This helps provides excellent drainage.
Knowing the Best Time to Plant by Growing Zone
Proper planting time is key to preventing rot and encouraging vigorous growth. Follow these guidelines:
- Zones 8-9 – Plant February through April
- Zones 6-7 – Plant April through early May once soil reaches 60°F
- Zones 3-5 – Start bulbs indoors 2 months before last frost. Move outside after danger of frost passes.
Planting when soils are sufficiently warm allows bulbs to start growing right away. Planting too early while soil is still cold and wet often results in failure.
Preparing the Soil for Healthy Root Development
Taking time to prepare the soil pays dividends by encouraging rapid root establishment and consistent moisture retention. Here are some tips:
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Loosen soil to a depth of 12 inches and break up any large clumps or rocks.
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Work 2-4 inches of compost or organic material into the top 6 inches of soil to enrich and improve drainage.
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Test and amend soil to a slightly acidic pH between 5.5-6.5 if needed.
Well-prepared soil gives newly planted bulbs the best chance at vigorous growth.
How Deep to Plant Bulbs for Best Results
Proper planting depth prevents flopping and encourages abundant blooms. Follow these guidelines:
- Extra-large bulbs over 4 cm: Plant 6 inches deep
- Large bulbs 3-4 cm: Plant 5 inches deep
- Medium bulbs 2-3 cm: Plant 4 inches deep
- Small bulbs under 2 cm: Plant 3 inches deep
Deeper depths anchor tall growth while shallower planting prevents small bulbs from rotting. Adjust for your specific bulb size.
Step-By-Step Planting Instructions
Follow these simple steps for expert results:
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Dig holes or trenches to the recommended depth based on bulb size. Space holes/trenches 6 inches apart for air circulation.
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Place bulbs root side down in holes, 4-6 inches apart. Cover bulbs completely with soil.
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Water thoroughly after planting until soil is moistened to a depth of 8 inches. This removes air pockets.
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Consider applying 2-4 inches of organic mulch like shredded bark or leaves to insulate soil and retain moisture.
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Label bulbs if unsure of variety. Then sit back and wait for the magic!
Post-Planting Care for Healthy Growth
Once planted, bulbs need proper care for abundant blooms:
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Water 1-2 inches per week if rain is lacking to soak entire root zone
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly once sprouts emerge
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Weed regularly to eliminate competition for water and nutrients
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Monitor for slugs and snails that can munch on emerging shoots
With immaculate planting technique and attentive care, your acidanthera will flourish into a breathtaking late summer display.
Troubleshooting Issues with Acidanthera
While relatively trouble-free, acidanthera can encounter problems if conditions are not ideal:
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Foliage but no flowers – Can indicate overcrowding, insufficient sunlight, or inadequate nutrition.
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Leaf spots or blights – Usually caused by overly wet soil. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Failure to emerge – Often due to rot from planting too early while soil is cold and wet. Delay planting until soils reach 60°F.
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Slow growth – Cool soil and inadequate moisture often stunt development. Plant in warm soil and irrigate deeply.
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Floppy stems – Results from overcrowding, excess shade, or planting too shallow. Give bulbs space and sun.
With proper timing, spacing, depth, and care you can avoid these common pitfalls.
Storing Bulbs Over Winter
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In zones 7-11, acidanthera can be left in the ground to overwinter. Mulch well to insulate.
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In colder zones, dig up bulbs after frost damages foliage. Allow to dry and store at 60°F over winter.
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Store bulbs in a cool, dark place with good air circulation.
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When replanting stored bulbs, wait until the soil has adequately warmed in spring.
With attention to details like timing, spacing, depth, and care, your acidanthera bulbs will thrive and reward you with their intoxicating late summer beauty. Just be sure to give them what they need and you’ll be enjoying their elegant blooms for years to come.
How to care for acidanthera
If you’re growing acidanthera in a pot, keep it well watered. Once the foliage appears, add liquid plant feed to the water every few weeks to encourage flowering. If growing it in the garden, use a soil conditioner such as home-made compost or composted manure to add organic matter, provide nutrients and encourage organisms that will create a healthy soil. Once planted, treat your acidanthera like any other herbaceous perennial. Deadhead after flowering to ensure the plant does not put any energy into producing seeds.
If you’re gardening in coastal and mild areas in the south of the UK, you can leave acidanthera in the ground over winter, allowing the foliage to die back, and cover the area with a thick mulch to insulate the corms. Otherwise, you have two options: dig up the corms, compost them and plant fresh corms the following year; or lift them, allow them to dry and store them in a dark, cool, frost-free place before planting them out again in late spring or early summer.
What if your acidanthera isn’t flowering? Acidanthera can make a slow start in cool or dry conditions, so be patient. If you’re treating your acidanthera as a perennial – either leaving it in the ground over winter or planting it again the following year – you may not get many flowers in its second season. This is because producing foliage and flowers uses up the energy stored in the corms and they may take a year’s break from flowering while they replenish their reserves.
To improve your chances of getting a second display of flowers, feed the plants well while they’re growing, condition the soil annually (or replace it if growing acidanthera in a pot) and use a liquid plant feed when the foliage appears.
Start with a Better Bulb
It’s easy to see the difference in quality when you compare two acidanthera corms side by side. Acidanthera bulbs are graded by size, measured in centimeters. Large corms grow into big plants that will give you a more beautiful display of foliage and flowers than smaller-sized bulbs.
Shade and Sun: Acidanthera should be grown in full sun. If you have a shady garden, consider starting the corms in pots that can be kept in full to part sun. Once the plants have buds, they can be planted into your garden.
Zone: Acidanthera corms are winter hardy in zones 7-11. In colder areas, you can either grow the corms as annuals or dig up them up in fall and store them indoors for winter. Reference the USDA hardiness zone map HERE.
When to Plant: The corms will not tolerate freezing temperatures. If you are planting them directly into your garden, wait until the soil is warm — around tomato-planting time. If you are growing acidanthera in containers, you can get started a couple weeks earlier.
Growing Acidanthera / Gladiolus Murielae
FAQ
Do acidanthera come back every year?
Acidanthera are tender perennials, which mean they have the ability to return each year if stored correctly during winter.
When should I plant acidanthera bulbs?
Acidanthera comes from East Africa and can tolerate temperatures down to -5ºC. However, to give them the best start it’s wise to wait until late spring to plant the corms outside, when the soil has begun to warm up.
Do acidanthera bulbs multiply?
Then store like you would a gladiolus corm, in a cool (40-60˚F), dry, well-ventilated area in dry peat moss, perlite or vermiculite. This species is most commonly propagated by division of the corms that multiply during the growing season. The corms can be separated in the fall or at planting time.
What is the best month to plant Gladiolus bulbs?
Planting: Plant gladiolus corms in spring 2 weeks before your last expected frost date. To enjoy flowers all summer, plant your Glads every 2 weeks until early July. This will stagger the plantings and flowering times.