Gladiolus (Gladiolus) Pests and Control Methods

Gladiolus Pests: Thrips

It mainly harms leaves, flowers, young shoots and bulbs. The insects hide between the leaves during the day and are difficult to find. They appear on cloudy days or at night and suck the juice from the leaves, causing white spots to appear on the leaves.

If insect pests are found, spray 1500 times diluted 50% phoxim or 60 times diluted tobacco lime water.

Gladiolus Pests: Cutworms

It mainly harms seedlings, tender stems and bulbs. It lurks near the rhizosphere during the day and is active at night.

Dig up the soil in the early morning to catch them, or use poison bait to lure and kill them. However, since the soil is changed every year in home-grown crops, cutworms rarely appear.

Gladiolus Pests: Two-lined Mucophagous Slug

It mainly feeds on young leaves, which leave holes and notches, and often leave a shiny silvery-white mark on the affected parts. The damage is most severe in April and May.

Spray with 3% lime water in the evening; you can also sprinkle lime powder around to prevent the insect from invading.

Gladiolus Pests: Millet Borer

Also known as the corn borer, this insect bores inside the stem, causing the leaves and flower spikes to die.

Check the plants regularly for insect eggs, and remove them promptly if found. According to statistics, insect eggs appear on 50 out of every 100 plants, let alone the one in your home! Once tiny larvae are found on the plants, spray the above-mentioned pesticides once a week.