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ActiveGladiolus L. · Gladiolus
Coöperatieve Kwekersvereniging "For Ever" U.A.
Variety traits
Gladiolus frost resistance
Gladiolus L.
Gladiolus is a thermophilic crop that lacks the genetic ability to overwinter in the soil; therefore, this parameter only characterizes the temperature thresholds for the vegetative parts of the plant.
In the reference 24 varieties crop Gladiolus, where this is mentioned in the description.
Gladiolus does not possess frost resistance in the classical agronomic sense, as its corms die if left in the soil during winter. The survival temperature threshold for the vegetative mass is critically limited: exposure to temperatures from –4 to –5 °C for several hours is fatal for the inflorescences and vegetative parts of the plant.
Sensitivity to low temperatures varies depending on the growth stage: young seedlings in the 2–3 leaf stage can withstand short-term exposure to –4 °C with subsequent recovery, however, a temperature of –6 °C for 5 hours leads to their total loss. Short-term frosts down to –7 °C cause damage to inflorescences without immediate death of the leaf apparatus.
Due to the absence of breeding traits for frost resistance, gladiolus cultivation practices are based on mandatory annual digging of corms and planting in warmed soil at a temperature of +8…+10 °C. Additionally, a decrease in temperature below +15 °C during critical differentiation phases has a negative impact on the development and formation of inflorescences.
General information about the subject — on the page Frost hardiness.
Varieties of Gladiolus mentioned in the description
Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.