Gloriosa not so glorious!

I have 3 tubers and only one with a pair of leaves and even that looks pathetic. It's not growing at all.

How do I make them flower please?

 

I've only grow G. "rothschildiana", and that was a while ago, a couple of years ago I threw my tubers away as they seemed to be going downhill.

I always found heat to be the key and not overwatering in cool weather or during the early stages.

 

Can you remember the temperature, @pete? I must remove the water. I did remember the tuber rotted and nothing happened last year.

Thank you.

 

From 1992

 

The tubers need to be quite big and healthy to flower well, often in a Y shape.
Just lots of sunshine

 

What a lovely show! I think they are magical. That probably explains it. The tubers are all tiny and They were buried in some dry compost. Probably not enough heat. By the look of it, they are going to be useless.

 

Well a bit late for this year, but I would invest in some fresh tubers next year from somewhere reputable, or failing that, a garden centre,, where you can see what you are buying.

You can build them up but it can take a few years.

Just my way, but I never started them into growth until June, when hopefully temperatures and light were reliable enough.

 

I will have to take my chance. By the look of it, it is another wasted year.

 

Pete has hit the nail on the head - tubers that are thick and firm are the key. Check the end that has been separated from the mother tuber for any sign of rot or infection. Don't start them too early and water sparingly from the bottom. A light and airy mix is best so I add grit and bean bag stuffing to MPC.
They respond well to heat but the easily obtained species will grow perfectly well outdoors if in a sheltered spot such as a south facing wall.
Gloriosa superba rothschildiana by longk48, on Flickr

Gloriosa carsonii is my favourite but that is a little fickle..............
Gloriosa carsonii by longk48, on Flickr

 

Stunning @longk and thank you. I have only small tubers which miraculously existed from the rotten bit last year. Now the leaves have gone yellow. They have NO roots.. I'm going to change the soil and see if it is any better. Shame Poundland doesn't do it any more. I got the thrill of seeing them on sale, but now all the plants sold there are dead or very boring perennial weeds.

 

They're gone for the year/ever.

Quite often what the bargain bucket stores sell is a freshly split mother tuber from India, Thailand etc. Gloriosa tubers have a two year cycle;

• year one they grow whilst attached to the mother.
• year two the mother has rotted away and the daughters grow independently and bloom whilst under the soil they become mothers themselves and raise daughters for next year. Here's a photo of some freshly separated daughters at the beginning of the season with the mothers discarded...........

Once a tuber has gone through it's second season it is nonviable and doomed.

 

@longk Oooops! Guess what? Mine has no root at all!

 

Bin it.

Anglia Bulbs are a good supplier for next year............

Gloriosa Superba - Anglia Bulb Company - Flower Bulbs Online from Anglia Bulbs - Importers of Quality Flower Bulbs