August FlowerAugust Birth Month Flower
History
August Flower. The Gladiola!
The name of the gladiola comes from the Latin word for sword. The flower comes from southern Africa.
The base of the flower is called a corm and historically was ground for medicinal use. The flowers are easy to grow in full sun. It symbolizes strength of character, the serene beauty only found in strength, and the dazzling elegance of a jeweled sword. It is also a symbol for remembrance and folklore has it that the flower blooms wherever a soldier's blood has been spilled. The flower is beautiful flower for bouquets. The plant comes in all colors except blue. Each stalk or sword blooms in 10 to 12 individual flowers.
How To GrowGladiola bulbs need 8 - 10 weeks to bloom. There is a planting strategy to have fresh cut gladiolas throughout the growing season (in the US plant May to end of June). The strategy is to plant a few bulbs each week to schedule blooms for fresh cut arrangements of the August Flower all summer. Gladiolas need good to excellent drainage and average soil quality - not to hard and not to sandy. They love full sun and need to have good daily circulation so mold will not develop. The bulbs are planted after all threat of frost is gone ion the Spring. Bulbs should be planted from 3 to 6 inches deep depending on instructions from bulb company. Plant bulbs about six inches apart in a row. Plant next row about 2 feet in front of the other to allow room for you to attend the individual plants when cutting. Gladiolas, compared to other cut flowers, require little water. They need about one inch of water each week. In some l;ocations small insects will eat the leaves. A soaping insect spray will not hurt the flowers and will prevent infestation. After the plant leaves have turned dark in the fall, dig up the bulbs and place in a dry, well ventilated container or basket. Store gladiola bulbs in a frost free place to prevent bulbs from freezing during the winter.
Perfect Birthday Celebrations - Homepage for August Flower.
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