Gladiolus 'Peter Pears' - Ideal conditions?

In general, my experience has been that when something says "full sun" that don't include south Texas. In most cases I've found that translates into "some sun with plenty of water and shade". . . . so . . . Is it just too warm down here? Or too early in the season for these? Or both?

Back in mid May, I picked up a package of these bulbs one day while getting some Elephant Ears to put along an East facing rock wall next to my house. That area gets a little direct sun early in the AM, then it's filtered until noonish then shaded the rest of the day.

I added a row of these right next to the wall then placed the Ears out a few feet and added a couple of Tropicannas (small plants - not bulbs) out another couple of feet in front of them.
The Gladiolus were the first of the bulbs to emerge and they shot up like weeds. Soon after the Ears came up and everything continued to grow fine.

At this stage, 2 months later, the Elephant Ears are doing great and the Tropicannas seem fine, but haven't bloomed yet. Where as the Glads are starting to all fall over from their own weight (I guess?) and don't show any signs of blooms.

I water this area fairly well each morning and the soil is a sand base with some potting mix added where the plants are.

I'm just curious if anyone else in this general area has any of these and if so:
1. When do they start to bloom?
2. Are they in "full sun" or not?
3. How are they doing so far this season?
I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking that the Glads may need more sun and less water? Should I relocate them now or just leave them and see what happens?
This 1st image was taken one month after planting. At that stage the Glads were standing erect and seemed to be thriving. Now they're all lay'n down and are definitely lacking something. I'll add a current pic next.

TIA
GD

Here they are today . . . lay'n down on the job . . . lol

A couple things....
1st... They were planted too late. You really have to get glads in the ground by April for them to bloom here. The foliage will burn up or the flowers will burn up if any later.
2nd... The ones that are laying over are probably not planted deep enough. They naturally lean and need to be staked most of the time, but if they are falling over, they are not planted deep enough. I usually plant them 5 to 6 inches deep.
3rd... I don't think they are getting enough sun. They appreciate a respite from the harsh afternoon sun here, but really need at least 4 hours of direct sun to bloom well.

They also like good drainage, just the opposite of elephant ears.

Also, your tropicana cannas probably won't thrive and bloom in that much shade. Of course they have beautiful foliage so you might not mind that.

Staci

My glads are in full sun and I have to stake them, I sgree with sweezel, it's probably too shady. And if my cannas are in too much shade they get bugs and they don't bloom as much.

Staci, I have some glads laying down on the job. Do I pull them out and plant deeper ? Do I do this now or wait til it gets cooler? or will they correct themselves by eventually sinking deeper? I planted a number of bulbs together. The straight ones bloomed beautifully an the ones laying down did nothing. I was puzzed by this situation, but didn't give it any more thought.

GD, the glads I have planted in full houston (well Richmond) sun perform the best. The ones that I'm asking Staci about are in 4-5 hours of full sun. I think that is good enough, but would expect a decline if they get less than that. And you are right about what "full sun" means in our area, lol

I have been treating mine as annuals so I don't know about sinking. I would probably wait until the foliage dies back more and replant them deeper.

Ok I'm with ya'll . . . thanks a bunch for the info. Have a great day :)

Yeah, what they said- also I love glad but don't like that they lean, etc. I hate staking plants so the last glads I selected were minis and I was happier w/ them. Glads are so nice and they make nice cut flowers for the house too.

GD sure appreciate this thread:

I've found this out recently as a new gardener! I can't keep hardly anything flowering in full sun down here! The roses do well but that's about it. Went on a nursery shopping trip this past weekend, 3 nurseries and none had much for perennial flowering color right now.

I bought some glads this spring at Sam's (120 bulbs for 14 bucks!) but am a newbie. Put them in, bloomed beautifully about 1 month and then fizzled. They all leaned to which I was disappointed about. Great tip about planting deeper if they lay flat, some of mine did. But don't think I'll try them again for the immense amount of staking....although you could get that cheap either plastic or metal fence pieces that are about a foot tall....put those around the beds? I was thinking of that but the glads didn't bloom long enough for my taste.

Cool deal April . . . since I don't know much about these types of plants I'd never tried them before and had no idea they even had a "mini" version. . . lol

No problem Tir . . . we both learned a thing or two here, guess that's what it's all about huh? :)

I too am considering moving mine to a sunny spot, but may just try one or two and see how they do. It may be best to just leave them be and not worry about them til they lose their foliage?

I always had them in full sun but I have to tell you, I think nearly all "full sun" plants could use a bit of relief from the afternoon shade- agree our full sun is not the same as full sun in other areas.

Tir, you do know they are perennials, right? They will come back for you year after year unless you yank them out. Mine droop also because they are so tall. I stake some for curb apeal, but most of them I cut the bloom off and use them for house arrangements. With the blooms cut off, there is no drooping. From what you describe, I would say your glads performed as they should. They bloom about a month in May-June or so, then that's it. You do not trim the greens off until totally yellow. The leaves provide nutrients for the development of the bulbs underneath. This part is kind of a bummer because you have the uglies for a while. That's why glads are recommended for the back of your bed, so you can hide the uglies with shorter plants in front.

You can also buy dwarf glad varieties and the staking issue is gone, but you still have the "uglies" when they are done performing.

Voss,

Yep know they are perrenials. Dug them out of front bed and the back bed will be totally gutted once cooler weather hits. I had to much grass coming in it so I need to redo it properly once the weather is not so hot and I not so pregnant. =)

Great tip about planting them in the BACK of the beds! That had to be my problem.

Tir, when will you be NOT so pregnant? and what flower are you naming this lovely baby after?