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Turquoise Puya

Gladiolus cardinalis 

This rare hybrid of Gladiolus cardinalis is one of the most spectacular of all Glads.  This South African native screams for attention, with bold, red blooms splashed with white on the lower petals.  It's pure joy when these plants come into bloom around May or June.  Some hybrids of Gladiolus cardinalis are more pink or orange, but i guarantee that my bulbs will look identical to the photos!  Flowering-size bulbs are hard to find.

Red Gladiolus

It grows during the winter and spring, and goes dormant for the summer.  It is not difficult to grow, if you can meet its basic needs.  It should be kept from freezing throughout winter.  It's happiest below 85 degrees F (29° C) during the growing season of November to June (in the Southern hemisphere, May to December).  It's possible that it may get stressed in hotter conditions if nights are warm (above 65°F / 18°C).  It enjoys mostly sunny conditions.  It grows well in a small container in well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist.  When the bulb goes dormant in the summer, keep the soil relatively dry.  Each year it will make some baby bulbs, which you may separate.

Gladiolus cardinalis

A whole pot full of Glads!

 

Check availability

 

Tips on planting the bulbs

 

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Rare and exotic plants

Turquoise Puya

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