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Gladioli Gagarin's Smile (Ulybka-Gagarina) are one of the many varieties of representatives of this herbaceous plant of the Iris family. The variety is quite famous, it was bred in honor of the first Russian cosmonaut, and has repeatedly become the champion of many exhibitions, including in Bulgaria. Gladiolus Ulybka Gagarina is suitable for growing in many regions, mainly in open ground, and looks great in a flower bed and in flower arrangements.
The second name of the ornamental plant is skewer
History of selection
Flower growers owe the appearance of the gladiolus Gagarin's Smile to the Russian breeder Andrei Nikolaevich Gromov. The variety was bred in 1980, and was included in the State Register five years after its appearance. The variety is approved for cultivation in all regions.
Description of gladiolus Gagarin's Smile
The gladioli variety Gagarin's Smile is a giant plant that, in favorable conditions, can grow to a height of 190 cm, but on average its length is from 150 to 180 cm. The stems of the crop are single, straight, leaf plates are rich green in color, sword-shaped. Peduncles are strong, up to 70 cm in length.The flowers are quite large, up to 16 cm in diameter, presented in a light palette of colors, pink or salmon (peach) with a rich red spot inside the throat, and do not fade in the sun. The buds are dense, corrugated, there can be up to 25 pieces on one stem, and up to 11 open flowers at the same time. The inflorescences are double-rowed and can be not only one-sided, but also double-sided or spiral.
The Gagarin's Smile variety can be cultivated in almost all regions of Russia. The plant has high immunity to many common diseases and pest attacks, and is resistant to adverse weather conditions. Gladiolus flowering begins in early August and continues for two weeks. When cut, the flower lasts in water for about ten days. The culture does not need replanting for 5-6 years.
According to the botanical description, the flowering period of gladiolus Gagarin's Smile is considered early-medium
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any ornamental crop, gladiolus Gagarin's Smile has both its pros and cons. But the plant's shortcomings are minor.
When planted sparsely, a full-fledged flower grows from one gladiolus head
Advantages:
- excellent external data;
- good immunity;
- resistance to bad weather;
- no sunburn;
- fast growth;
- suitability for cutting.
Flaws:
- needs a support structure or garter;
- picky about the landing site;
- has an unaesthetic appearance in the lower part, which is why it needs short companions.
Landing rules
Gladiolus Gagarin's Smile should be planted in early spring, when the soil warms up to +10 °C.Depending on the growing region, this is approximately the end of April, beginning of May. The bulbs are prepared a month before planting:
- They're sorting through.
- Carefully remove the dense scales.
- For a couple of weeks, lay them out in a warm and bright place with the sprouts facing up.
- Before planting, soak for two hours in a solution of potassium permanganate or for 60 minutes in Fundazol.
The site for planting gladiolus Gagarin's Smile is chosen to be light, windless, with well-drained soil. Soil acidity should be in the range from 5.6 to 5.8.
On the day of planting, in the flowerbed prepared for Gagarin’s Smile, holes are made 10 cm wide, 20 cm deep, with an interval between rows of about 0.5 m, the bottom is covered with a small layer of sand, and watered. Small bulbs are planted to a depth of up to 15 cm, large ones - up to 20. Next, the bed is filled with a mixture of soil and sand and watered.
Care instructions
Proper care of gladioli Gagarin's Smile involves performing a number of procedures:
- Water the crop abundantly with warm water every ten days.
- Fertilize fractionally, in June - with potassium and nitrogen, in July with the same fertilizer with the addition of phosphorus, in August with the same composition, but without nitrogen. Once a year it is useful to add compost or humus.
- Preventive treatments against insects are carried out with insecticides or folk remedies twice a season. Spray with fungicides 1-2 times during the summer.
- The bulbs are dug up closer to mid-September, the stems are removed, washed, treated with insecticides, rinsed with water, dried, and stored in a basement or cellar.
When gladiolus grows, the bush is hilled several times
Conclusion
Gladioli Gagarin's Smile are beautiful flowers of a delicate shade that fit perfectly into any landscape composition, perfectly complement bouquets and last a long time when cut. The plant is not particularly demanding in terms of care; for its good development and growth during cultivation, basic rules of agricultural technology should be followed. A huge advantage of the culture is that it can grow in one place for several years without losing its decorative properties.
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