Troubleshooting
Italian Gladiolus problems — and how to fix them
Italian Gladiolus (Gladiolus italicus) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Gladiolus thrips (Thrips simplex)
Tiny 2 mm insects rasp leaf and petal surfaces, causing silvery streaking on foliage and failure of buds to open; inspect stored corms over winter and treat with an appropriate insecticide before replanting.
Botrytis corm rot and leaf spot
Botrytis cinerea causes water-soaked spots that turn brown with red margins on leaves and flowers, and black lesions on corms in storage; improve airflow, avoid overhead watering, and discard infected corms.
Prevent italian gladiolus problems before they start
Most italian gladiolus issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Italian Gladiolus problems — FAQ
Why is my italian gladiolus gladiolus thrips (thrips simplex)?
Tiny 2 mm insects rasp leaf and petal surfaces, causing silvery streaking on foliage and failure of buds to open; inspect stored corms over winter and treat with an appropriate insecticide before replanting.
Why is my italian gladiolus botrytis corm rot and leaf spot?
Botrytis cinerea causes water-soaked spots that turn brown with red margins on leaves and flowers, and black lesions on corms in storage; improve airflow, avoid overhead watering, and discard infected corms.