Deadhead peacock orchid
in Plants
I have some peacock orchids that are finished, and have quite large seed pods forming. Does anyone know if I should deadhead these, or if leaving the pods will cause any issues for next year's flowers and so forth please?
I'm pretty sure that this plant is actually a gladioli, which I wouldn't bother specifically deadheading, but these seed pods look different and there's not a great deal of leaf to feed the bulb...
I'm pretty sure that this plant is actually a gladioli, which I wouldn't bother specifically deadheading, but these seed pods look different and there's not a great deal of leaf to feed the bulb...
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The bulbs are tiny anyway, so it would be better to take them off, unless you want the seed?
Yes there is relatively little leaf on all of the flowered ones, especially compared to a regular gladioli. The flower stems and seed pods have little leaf-looking things (points to me for technical knowledge there
Oddly I had a cluster that came up blind - too shaded and crowded, they didn't get moving until I cleared some space. These have stacks of leaf, just like I'd expect, but no sign of the flower stalk...
I'll post a photo later if I get a moment!
I tend to treat them as annuals. I'm too lazy to lift them and store them over winter, and they don't survive here in our conditions, although if we get a non winter like last year, the ones in the warmest, most sheltered bed might be ok.
Many bulbs don't take kindly to it, like tulips, whereas snowdrops and daffs are fine. Lots of perennials are the same - dry cold is easier for them than wet cold.