Origin
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt is a plant species that belongs to the family Iridaceae. It is native to southern Africa, specifically in Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The plant is commonly known as the "Welwitsch's gladiolus" or "Lobengula's gladiolus," named after the last king of the Matabele people.
Common Names
Apart from "Welwitsch's gladiolus" and "Lobengula's gladiolus," Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii has several other common names. In Zambia, it is called "Mwangala" or "Mwayi." In Zimbabwe, locals refer to the plant as "Nkomo-muti" in the Ndebele language or "i-Sipolilo" in the Shona language.
Uses
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii has several uses. In southern Africa, traditional healers used the plant to treat various ailments, including toothache, stomachache, and dysentery. The corms were also used to make flour, which was then mixed with water to form a paste and used to make a porridge. Modern medicine researchers have also discovered that the plant contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
General Appearance
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii is a perennial plant that grows up to 1.5 meters high. It has a corm, which is a bulb-like structure that stores food and nutrients. The plant has several sword-shaped leaves that are up to 60 cm long and 4 cm wide. The flowers of the plant are arranged in a loose spike, and they come in various colors, including pink, purple, white, and red. Each flower has six petals that are arranged in two rows, and the plant flowers from June to September.
Light Requirements
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt, requires full sunlight to grow and bloom properly. It can tolerate a small amount of shade in the afternoon but requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If planted in an area that receives insufficient sunlight, it will grow tall, have fewer flowers and fail to bloom entirely.
Temperature Requirements
This plant grows best in warm weather and can tolerate summer temperatures of up to 30°C (86°F). The ideal growing temperature is between 21°C to 26°C (70°F to 79°F). For bulb development, it requires cool temperatures of around 10°C to 13°C (50°F to 55.4°F) for at least 3 months. Extreme cold or frost will damage the leaves and may cause them to die off entirely.
Soil Requirements
The Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt, grows best in well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 to 7.5. It prefers sandy or loam soils that are loose and aerated. The soil should be moderately fertile and should have a sufficient supply of nutrients and organic matter to nourish the plant. The soil must be moist but not waterlogged to avoid root rot and fungal diseases.
Cultivation Methods for Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt, commonly known as Welwitsch's gladiolus, is a species of flowering plant native to Angola and Namibia. It grows from a corm and produces spikes of beautiful pink and white flowers. To successfully cultivate this plant, follow these methods:
- Plant the corms in a sunny location with well-draining soil.
- Ensure the corms are planted at a depth of approximately 10-15cm.
- Plant the corms vertically with the pointed end facing upwards.
- Space the corms about 10-15cm apart to allow room for growth.
Watering Needs for Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt
Proper watering is essential to keep the Welwitsch's gladiolus healthy and blooming. Here are the watering needs for this plant:
- Water regularly but do not overwater as this can lead to the development of fungal diseases.
- Water the plant at the base to avoid wetting the leaves and causing damage or disease.
- Avoid watering when the soil is already saturated or waterlogged.
Fertilization of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt
Fertilization is important for the Welwitsch's gladiolus to bloom healthily. Here are some tips for fertilizing the plant:
- Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting or after the plant has emerged from the soil.
- Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the blooming period to nourish the plant.
- Stop fertilizing once the flowers have faded to prevent overstimulating the plant.
Pruning of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt
Pruning is not a necessity for the Welwitsch's gladiolus but can help improve its overall health and appearance. Follow these tips for pruning:
- Remove any yellowing or brown leaves to keep the plant looking neat and tidy.
- Once the flowers have faded, cut the stem back to the first or second healthy leaf to prevent the plant from using unnecessary energy on seed production.
- Leave the foliage in place until it has turned yellow to allow the corms to store as much energy as possible for next year's blooming.
Propagation of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt
Propagation of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt can be achieved through several methods, including:
Corm Division
The most common method of propagating Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii is through corm division. This method involves separating the small cormels that form around the base of the parent corm. The best time to do this is during the dormant period after the plant has finished blooming. The cormels should be carefully removed from the parent corm and planted in a separate location or container. It usually takes about two years for the cormels to reach maturity and start blooming.
Seed Propagation
Propagation of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii can also be done through seeds. The seeds of this plant are small, black, and shiny. To propagate through seeds, the seeds should be sown in a well-draining soil mix in a warm, sunny location. It usually takes about three years for the plants to reach maturity and start blooming.
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation of Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii can also be done using stem cuttings. The best time to take stem cuttings is during the growing season when the plant has matured but has not yet bloomed. The stem cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should be taken from the upper part of the plant. The cuttings should be dipped in a rooting hormone and planted in a well-draining soil mix. It usually takes about a year for the plants to reach maturity and start blooming.
Disease Management
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt is susceptible to several fungal diseases, including rust, Fusarium wilt, and root rot. Rust causes brown or yellow spots on the leaves, eventually causing them to yellow and fall off. Fusarium wilt results in yellowing and withering of the leaves and stunted growth. Root rot causes the plant's stem to turn brown or black and soft.
To manage rust, it is recommended to remove and destroy infected leaves and to avoid overhead watering. The application of fungicides like copper oxychloride or mancozeb is also effective in managing the disease.
To manage Fusarium wilt, infected plants should be destroyed, and the soil should be sterilized. Crop rotation with non-susceptible crops is recommended.
To manage root rot, affected plants should be removed and disposed of properly. The soil should be treated with a fungicide containing mefenoxam or metalaxyl. Keeping the soil well-drained and allowing for proper air circulation can also help prevent the disease from occurring in the future.
Pest Management
The major pests that attack Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel subsp. welwitschii (Baker) Goldblatt include thrips, aphids, and spider mites. Thrips cause damage by feeding on the flowers and leaves, leading to distorted growth and reduced flower quality. Aphids feed on the plant sap, leading to stunted growth and the development of sooty mold. Spider mites suck out plant sap, leading to yellowing of leaves and webbing on the plant.
To manage thrips, the best approach is to keep the crop free from weeds, which can serve as alternate hosts. You can also use insecticides like malathion or bifenthrin. Biological control agents such as nematodes and predatory mites can also help in managing thrips.
Aphids can be managed by controlling alternate hosts like kale and mustard. The use of insecticides like imidacloprid or acetamiprid effectively manages aphids. Encouraging natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings is also effective.
Spider mites can be managed through regular monitoring and control of weeds, which serve as alternate hosts. Insecticides like abamectin or fenpropathrin can also be used effectively, along with biological control agents like predatory mites and lady beetles.
