Question:
My Gladiolas grow like weeds, and I love the rainbow of gorgeous flowers they produce, but after blooming, they are unsightly. In the past, I’ve always waited until the foliage has turned brown and then broken off the stems, leaving the bulbs in the ground. But I wonder if I can dig up the clump(s) after blooming, stash them somewhere until the foliage dries out, and then plant the bulbs again in the spring. Is this feasible?Answer:
- You can try relocating the bulbs after flowering, but I don’t think you’ll be successful the following year. The stress of moving them will have a negative effect. Also, I don’t find any references to digging them up early and moving them at this critical stage.
- A bulb is a storage chamber, much like a rechargeable battery. After flowering, the foliage manufactures the nutrients stored for the following years of growth and flowers. Fertilizing bulbs after they finish flowering is recommended to aid in nutrient development. So, it’s a big gamble if you move them right after flowering.
- Instead, I’d suggest waiting until the Gladiolas foliage starts to discolor before moving them. This would indicate they’re getting ready to go dormant, but more importantly, they have completed most of the food storage for the year.
- I’d use a spading fork rather than a shovel to dig up the clumps to minimize the damage to the bulbs. I’d try this with a small sampling, as you’ll have to wait a year to find out how successful it was.
- Another option is to allow the foliage to completely die down, harvest the bulbs, and store them in a cool location until next spring. Instead of planting them in the ground, plant them in an inexpensive container(s) submerged in the ground. This will allow you to remove the plants without any risk immediately after flowering.
Question:
How can I keep the ants away from my Artichoke plants? They are covered with a sticky-looking substance with scores of dead ants.Answer:
- The dead bugs you are observing are likely not ants but Aphids. Aphids produce the sticky substance as they feed on the plants.
- Aphids suck the plant juices from the terminal end of plants and then pass it through their body as a clear, sticky residue.
- The Ants are not harmful to the Artichokes or any other plant. The residue from the Aphids is a food source.
- When Aphids are active, you’ll find ants. You’ll control the Aphids with Insecticidal Soap, which is safe to use in edibles.
- You’ll make repeat applications as necessary, as the probability of them returning several times yearly is very high.
- Once the residue is no longer available, the ants disappear on their own.
- To successfully grow Artichokes, you’ll need to feed them, give them plenty of moisture, and keep the Aphids in control.