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Gladiolas Not Blooming #921761

Asked November 10, 2025, 7:22 PM EST

My brillant “orange” gladiollas have been in my garden for over 30 years and have never been dug up. They were a gift from my favorite aunt in South Dakota and stopped blooming after the summer of 2023-no flower blooms in 2024 and 2025. The stems look very vibrant and after digging all of them up today the bulbs seem very firm and healthy as well. I expected the bulbs to be soft and mushy but not the case as can be seen by the attached pics. I am looking for recommendations on how I should proceed on getting them blooming again. They must be a very hardy gladiolla to have withstood so many harsh Minnesota winters. Notice in the pics the very heavy root structure. Some of the roots are up to 12” long. Would very much appreciate your HELP.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

You have highly unusual gladious if they survive MN winters in the ground. What has changed in your growing area? They need at least six hours of sun, and be well watered. Have trees or shrubs grown taller near them? Have the bulbs multiplied and become crowded? Other bulbs multiply and stop blooming when they become crowded. Have you fertilized them? A soil test is another idea. The form submitted with the soil has a space to indicate what you intend to grow. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/
For general information.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/gladiolus/
This web site mentions excess nitrogen preventing blooms. Are your plants near a lawn that has been fertilized and the fertilizer may have migrated?
https://www.melindamyers.com/articles/no-flowers-on-gladiolus
Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied November 10, 2025, 9:55 PM EST

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