“First Glads”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Time marches on. The gladiolus have started blooming; one more sign that spring has left and summer has moved in.
These are the first to start blooming. I do not lift my gladiolus bulbs in the fall; they can survive our winters with no problem.
The problem this year with the glads seems to be thrips. I have already had to cut down a few bloom stalks because they were damaged. With everything that was going on at work in late April and May, I didn’t get out in the garden like I usually do, so I didn’t see the early signs that thrips might be at work. The problem seems to be confined to just one area and one variety of glads, at least I am hoping that is the case. Another bed with gladiolus which is all the way on the other side of our property seems to be okay.
While I am enjoying these pretty, frilly flowers right now, it looks like I am going to have to put “thrip control” on my list of things to do next spring.
Always Growing 
nancybond said,
June 1, 2010 at 9:29 am
Glads are so beautiful…and that colour is so delicate. So very pretty. The church was decorated with baskets of peach and white glads for my wedding, eons ago. 🙂
Dan said,
June 1, 2010 at 6:10 pm
My gladiolus are just showing buds, so we are a little behind you. Lovely color.
garden mary said,
June 2, 2010 at 6:22 am
Lovely color. I’ve had problems with thrips, too. Hard to get rid of.