Acidantera, known to most flower growers in our country under the name of fragrant gladiolus, is a truly fabulous plant. Neither sophisticated agricultural techniques, which involve wintering outside the soil, nor even rather scrupulous care for this beauty, in no way detract from its popularity. After all, the flowering of acidantera, offering to admire the elegant, as if floating in the air, flowers with a shining white color, more than compensates for any difficulties. And it is difficult to call this plant a capricious exotic. He just really loves the acidander very much attention and care.
Gladiolus murielau, synonym for Acidanthera bicolor. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com qvcuk
Shining rival of regular gladioli
Acidantera really resembles gladioli in everything. They have similar agricultural techniques, and requirements for wintering outside the soil, and the type of foliage. And even the sizes of the two plants are almost the same. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that acidander is often called fragrant gladioli. Still, it would be a big mistake to equate these cultures, to consider them analogous. After all, acidantera is a completely different plant in character.
Acidantera (Acidanthera) – graceful and very beautiful, late-blooming corms perennials. Their corms are round, with a milky color, up to 5 cm in diameter, covered with a reticulated brownish shell. Weakly leafy straight stems and narrow, linear dark foliage create just an elegant backdrop for the main show – flowering. And it is impossible to remain indifferent to him. Large, seemingly huge due to the luminous color, the flowers reach 9 cm in diameter. The graceful form has provided the acidander with many affectionate nicknames. The pointed petals-perianth lobes are almost the same size, the bent long tube together form, albeit distantly and similar to gladioli, but much more elegant flower. At the same time, flowers bloom not one by one, but in an ear, in which up to 6 flowers sit sparsely.
Acidantera’s color scheme is by no means boring. White acidants with a shining color are considered classic, but “colored” varieties and species are no less beautiful. Pink, lilac, light purple, yellow, cream tones in acidantera are presented in pure and pearl colors.
But not only the showiness of the inflorescences became famous for the acidander. This magnificent plant has a wonderful aroma. Intense, but light, unobtrusively refined aroma of acidantera only at first reminds of garden daffodils. After all, there is nothing aggressive in the smell of this plant. The more you inhale the scent, the more complex and noble it seems, showing either honey or fruity overtones.
Acidanthera brevicollis now belongs to the species Gladiolus gueinzii. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com HankyHelper
Types and varieties of acidantera
All acidants are plants from tropical regions of Africa, graceful and very beautiful.
There are about 40 species in the genus of these beauties. Truth, modern botanical classifications do not distinguish acidantera into a separate genus: they are considered as a group of gladioli, and the correct botanical name for plants does not sound like Acidanthera, but how Gladiolus… But since this plant is spread further under the name acidanteres, and the former names are allowed as synonyms of the modern name, it is possible to call acidanteres in the old fashioned way. Wild natural acidants are also charming, for the beauty of the bloom and its flashiness they cannot be compared with the best “cultivated” species.
The most widespread and the status of the basic plant variety received only one species – magnificent acidantera bicolor (Acidanthera bicolor). By all the rules, this plant must be named gladiolus muriel (Gladiolus murielaу), but in nurseries and among gardeners, he is still better known by his old name. And the plant has a lot of “nicknames” – from fragrant gladiolus to completely wrong “wintering gladiolus”. Despite the fact that this acidander is sold as the only gladiolus capable of wintering in the middle lane, the agricultural technology of this species should include digging from the soil and preserving it indoors.
Acidantera two-colored in height reaches 120 cm, flaunting powerful, most often simple, less often slightly branching shoots at the top. The leaves of this acidantera are xiphoid-linear, with a light green color, they reach half a meter in length and are numerous enough to form a beautiful curtain in a group planting. The flowers of Muriel’s gladiolus reach a diameter of 12 cm. Cream or snow-white, fragrant, with a large contrasting spot in the center and beautiful stamens, they seem surprisingly graceful, floating in the air. On high peduncles, spike-shaped inflorescences are collected, including from 3 to 8 flowers. This acidantera blooms late, in August-September with a classic May planting.
Geissoriza stemless (Geissorhiza exscapa), a synonym for Acidanthera tubulosa. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com naturgucker
Other species are much less common, but they deserve distribution as a touching flowering accent:
- Unusual foliage – pride cereal acidanters (Acidanthera graminifolia, according to modern classifications – form richly blooming gladiolus (gladiolus floribundus)). Her leaves are not xiphoid, but thin, like standard garden grasses. But not only the leaves make the plant original, but also drooping, with an almost imperceptible tube, white-purple watercolor flowers.
- Acidantera low-flowered (Acidanthera pauciflora according to modern classifications – form richly blooming gladiolus (gladiolus floribundus)) also produces thin, atypical leaves for bicolor, but her flowers flaunt not purple, but a red tint.
- The raspberry shade of stains on the flower is a distinctive feature pink-white acidanters (Acidanthera roseoalba, according to the latest data – Geissoriza pink-white (Geissorhiza roseoalba)), which is undeservedly rare.
- Acidantera tropical (Acidanthera equinotical, new name – Gladiolus tropical (Gladiolus equinotical)) reaches a height of 130 cm, stands out with ribbed leaves, double-sided inflorescences of 5-6 white flowers with crimson-purple spots with a long tube.
- У Cape acidants (Acidanthera capensis, re-classified as Ixia paniculata (Ixia paniculata) instead of spots, white flowers adorn purple veins.
- Acidantera white (Acidanthera Candida, in the modern version – gladiolus white (A white gladiolus)) stands out with a strong, intense odor and pure snow-white color.
- У broadleaf acidanters (Acidanthera platypetala, the form Gladiolus longicollis subsp. platypetalus) more rounded, massive perianth lobes that make the plant look like an orchid.
- Acidantera short tubular (Acidanthera brevicollis / Gladiolus gueinzii) Is the only species with brightly colored, purple-lilac flowers that have a shortened tube. Flowers are collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pcs.
- Acidantera Fourcade (Acidanthera fourcadei, according to the latest data, retrained in Geissorizu Fourcade (Geissorhiza fourcadei)) also belongs to rare colored species, flaunts only 1-2 flowers with a delicate pink-lilac color.
- Also, pink color is characteristic for tubular acidants (Acidanthera tubulosa now Geissoriza stemless (Geissorhiza exscapa)), but it has a much longer tube and dainty flowers.
Use of acidantera in ornamental gardening:
- as a ceremonial, festive, finishing accent in the design of flower beds;
- in groups against the background of the lawn, in seasonal flower beds, islands;
- in mixed compositions in the front garden;
- as a fragrant accent in the design of flower beds and beds near recreation areas and terraces;
- as a pot or container plant;
- as a cut crop (it should be borne in mind that the strong aroma of the plant is not for everyone)
The best partners for acidants: asters, sage, aconites, emilia, monarda, gladioli, coreopsis.
Growing strategy acidantera
Acidantera is considered as a cut, garden and houseplant. It does not have to be grown only in open soil, and at typical times. Like almost any tuberous or bulbous plant, acidantera is even suitable for forcing. Acidantera feels great in greenhouses.
Geissorhiza roseoalba, a synonym for Acidanthera roseoalba. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com outramps
But this versatility has its own downside. Acidantera is a plant that prefers stable growing conditions. Its flowering directly depends on the temperature regime and lighting, and if you grow this beauty in the garden, then success will depend not only on your efforts, but also on the weather. If the summer turned out to be unsuccessful, rainy, and even more cold, then this beauty may not release a single flower. But in good years, the acidander will outshine all its competitors.
Conditions necessary for acidants
Finding suitable conditions in the garden for the acidander is quite simple. This is a light-loving culture, which in regions with harsh winters, due to the peculiarities of summer, is best planted only in sunny areas.
When growing acidants, special attention should be paid to the choice of soil. It is very important for acidanteurs to provide soil with minimal risk of stagnant water, drained and lightweight. The soil must be of high quality, deeply worked and fertile. Pay attention to the reaction: acidanters prefer slightly acidic soils.
In room and pot culture, acidander requires almost similar conditions. Lighting should be bright, but diffused, protected from direct sunlight. During the period of active growth, the minimum temperature of the content is 20 degrees Celsius, while the location should not only be warm, but also protected from even the slightest drafts. Only a high-quality loose and nutritious substrate is suitable for it (a mixture of equal parts of sod, leafy soil, humus and sand is preferable). Pay attention to the containers: acidantera does not like excess free soil, it is planted in pots with a diameter of about 12-15 cm (and planting is not “single”, but 3-6 bulbs in one container).
White Gladiolus (Gladiolus candidus), synonym for White Acidanthera (Candida Acidanthera). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Muhammad Al Shanfari
Planting acidators
Improving the soil in advance is a very important step. And for acidants, it must be carried out in the fall, and not in the spring before planting. During digging, organic fertilizers (preferably compost) and a standard portion of complete mineral fertilizers must be added to the soil, if necessary, add peat, sand, lay drainage to compensate for excessive moisture. A one-time improvement can be replaced with a standard digging with organic matter, and full mineral fertilizers can be mixed with the soil already at planting.
Acidantera planting times are quite limited. Traditionally, this plant is planted in spring, in May.
Acidantera bulbs need to be prepared for planting. 2-3 days before the planned landing, they should be carefully cleaned of a dry shell, examined and etched in a solution of low concentration potassium permanganate to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
When planting corms, it is important to set at a sufficient depth to protect against sudden night cold snaps. Acidantera bulbs are placed at a depth of about 10-12 cm, so that they are perfectly aligned. A small distance of 15-20 cm is left between the plants, while the smaller the corm itself, the closer it is placed to the neighbors.
To speed up flowering and enjoy the beauty of the acidantera for a longer time, the bulbs can be planted in pots before settling in the soil, and only then transferred to the garden after the threat of late frosts has disappeared. The bulbs are planted in pots according to the same rules as in the soil, but they are placed much denser, up to 3-6 bulbs per container with a diameter of 12-15 cm and not so deep, only 3-4 cm. in a warm and brightly lit room or a greenhouse in a brightly lit room.
Gladiolus abundantly flowering (Gladiolus floribundus), a synonym for Acidanthera graminifolia. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com dogtooth77
Indoor and potted acidants are not removed from the soil for wintering. They are simply transplanted into a new substrate every spring, after the end of the dormant period, according to the same rules as for early forcing.
Caring for acidants
Acidantera needs regular watering. For this plant, it is necessary to compensate for even a slight drought, but at the same time, care should be taken to ensure that the water does not stagnate and the soil moisture is not excessive.
Fertilizing acidantera will be needed not only for colorful and abundant flowering, but also for the normal ripening of the bulbs. Fertilize this plant three times per season:
- during planting, while improving the soil;
- during the period of the most active growth, when the acidander builds up greens and develops rapidly;
- at the budding stage or at the very beginning of flowering.
Important components of plant care are soil loosening and mulching. The latter allows you to minimize the care required by the plant, get rid of many problems. For mulching the soil under the acidanter, you can use peat, compost, and plant materials. If mulching is not carried out, then the soil must be fluffed, loosened after each heavy rain or watering.
Unlike many bulbous plants, in acidantera, the transfer to the resting stage must be stimulated independently. Immediately after the end of flowering, almost the entire aerial part of the acidantera must be cut off. Leave only the lowest leaves necessary for the ripening of the bulbs.
Geissorhiza fourcadei, synonymous with Acidanthera fourcadei. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com outramps
Pot and room acidants require almost standard care:
- plants are watered moderately when the top layer of the substrate dries up without waterlogging and droughts;
- feeding is made intensive, as for standard summer men;
- in winter, watering is completely reduced, the bulbs are not dug out, but placed in the required conditions directly with the soil.
Digging acidantera
You should not rush to dig up acidantera bulbs from the soil. After pruning, the bulbs must be stocked with nutrients and moisture, and ripen. And digging from the soil should be carried out only with the arrival of the first autumn frosts, not earlier than at the end of September or guided by the weather forecast (under favorable conditions and long-lasting flowering, it can be postponed until December). Acidantera is carefully dug out of the soil, with a large supply of soil, which is manually removed from the planting material. Roots, even the smallest ones, should not be broken off or cut off. After digging, all the remnants of the ground parts of the plant must be cut off, the bulbs must be carefully examined and sent to dry.
The stage of drying the bulbs is carried out at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, with active air circulation. But unlike most plants, for acidantera, the warm drying time lasts not 3-4 days, but a whole month. Drying is completed by removing dry roots, final cleaning acidanters.
Ixia paniculata, synonymous with Acidanthera capensis. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Andrew massyn
Wintering Accidents
Bulbs that have spent a month at the warm stage of drying must be put in paper bags, which will help protect the planting material from light and excessive moisture, and stabilize the conditions. It is necessary to store acidantera during the winter in atypically warm conditions: rooms with dry air, constant ventilation and a stable temperature of about 15 degrees are suitable for this beauty. If we are talking about potted acidants, which hibernate in a dry substrate directly in containers, then a temperature of about 12 degrees is preferable for them.
In regions with mild winters, acidantera can hibernate in the ground without digging, but in this case, the plants need to be protected for the winter with a shelter. Planting acidantera spud with dry leaves and spruce branches. At the same time, dryness and temperature stability will be critically important for the success of wintering.
Pest and disease control
Acidants are the favorites of snails and slugs. Planting this plant requires setting traps, mulching with straw and careful monitoring: if you overlook the appearance of the first slugs, then there may not be a trace of acidantera foliage. But of the diseases, this is the most amazing bulbous one that suffers most from rot. They threaten acidants only in damp conditions, with excessive watering.
Gladiolus Muriel, synonym for Acidanthera bicolor. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com 99roots
Reproduction of fragrant gladiolus
Like all bulbous, acidantera perfectly reproduces by children, daughter corms. Their separation is carried out during the digging of acidants, planting is carried out in the same way as for adult maternal root tubers.
Can be propagated by acidander and seeds. They are sown in February, in a high-quality substrate and germinated under a film or glass in a warm and bright light. It is important for acidanteurs to provide stable, light soil moisture. As they grow up, release strong leaves, the plants dive one by one into small pots or cups. Acidantera grown from seeds will bloom only in the second year, and sometimes even later, so it is better to grow it in a pot culture in the first two years. Acidantera is planted in the soil only when the corms reach standard sizes, get stronger, and often after the first flowering.
