gladiolus

Gladiolus 'Caribbean' should be watered regularly and deeply. During active growth, the soil should be kept most and the water should be applied to the soil and not to the foliage. In spring and summer, water your gladiolus once or twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings. During winter, reduce the amount of water given to once every 2 to 3 weeks. When watering, check that the soil has not dried out completely. If so, give the plant a deep watering until water begins to drain out from the pot’s drainage hole.

Gladiolus 'Caribbean' plants flourish best in bright sunlight for at least 4 hours each day. Full sun is best, but these plants can also do well in part sun if they get ample bright sun during the day. For optimal growth, the plant should not be placed in shade or deep shade. It should receive an adequate amount of sunlight each day in order for the blooms to reach their full potential.

For best results, prune gladiolus ('Caribbean') once a year in mid to late summer, before the plants start to bloom. Begin by removing any damaged or diseased leaves. Then, cut back any oversized leaves, such as those in the center that are standing tall, so that light is evenly distributed across the plant. Next, reduce the stalk height by cutting them to about 1-third of their original height. Finally, remove spent flower heads and faded flowers. All of these steps will help keep your gladiolus neat and healthy, while stimulating new growth and blooms.