Gladiolus Seeds

Abu Khangar (Garden Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus) is a cheerful, multi-coloured climbing annual from South America, named in Arabic for the dagger-like spur of its flowers. It rewards you with a long show of red, orange and yellow blooms on a trailing or climbing plant that suits hanging baskets, borders and fences alike. The rounded leaves and the bright, edible-style ornamental flowers make it a favourite for adding warm colour to any cool-season garden.

Planting

Soak the seed in water for 8-24 hours before sowing to speed germination, then sow 1.3-2.5 cm deep. The seeds need darkness to sprout, so cover them fully with soil. They emerge in about 7-14 days at a soil temperature of around 16-18°C. Choose a full-sun spot in well-drained, lean soil and sow directly, since the fragile roots resent disturbance. Thin or space plants 20-30 cm apart, or 3-5 plants per 25 cm container or basket.

Fertilizing

Keep feeding to a minimum. Rich soil and high nitrogen push leafy growth and cut down on flowers, so plant in lean ground and skip fertilizer. Only on very poor soil, apply a light, low-nitrogen feed sparingly at planting and again when plants reach about 13-15 cm tall.

Care

Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist for strong, continuous blooming; the plant tolerates some drought but flowers best with steady moisture. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the display, and give climbing forms support to reach 1.5-2.5 m. Watch for aphids and cabbageworm caterpillars. Flowering slows once temperatures pass about 29°C.