Stories and legends
Gladiolus (skewer) is a perennial plant of the Iris family. The shape is reminiscent of gladiator swords or wide flat swords. Swordfish originated in the tropical and subtropical zones of the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa. Some wild species grow in Western Siberia. According to one version, the plants owe their appearance to the fraternal friendship of Thracian captive warriors.
During the Roman-Thracian War, enemy warriors turned into slaves, obliged to carry out any orders of the victorious people. Among the prisoners were the young men Sevt and Teres, whose friendship and loyalty were known to the enslavers. The cruel Roman commander decided to mock the vanquished by inviting them to fight in a gladiator match. The winner was promised freedom and an unhindered return home. But once in the ring, the young men, putting their swords aside, rushed into each other's arms. Ready to accept death for disobedience to the bloodthirsty crowd, they knelt in the middle of the arena. The angry spectators really insisted on the death of the Thracians. But at that moment, when the blood of the warriors watered the sand of the arena, their swords took root and bloomed. In honor of the courageous gladiators, the flowers were named gladioli.
To attract good luck in battles with the enemy and protect against mortal wounds, ancient Roman warriors wore amulets made from gladiolus rhizomes. Flour from root bulbs was added to food for toothache and as a diuretic. Leaves and petals were applied to wounds for speedy healing. And they drank the decoction for headaches and dizziness.
If you follow the beliefs of African tribes, then the history of the origin of the sword is different. The number of internecine wars and raids between neighboring tribes was common in ancient times. But one day, the conquerors came suddenly and took a large number of aborigines by surprise. Only the elder and a couple of warriors managed to escape, taking with them the main wealth of the tribe. Enemies tortured the elder's daughter for a long time, trying to find out where her father was hiding. But the proud girl refused to tell about the secret hideout. Then the leader of the enemy army decided to execute her in front of her fellow tribesmen. But when he put his sword to the girl’s throat, it turned into a blossoming stem of gladiolus with bright red flowers. The conquerors of such a miracle were frightened, realizing that their actions were displeasing to the gods, they hastily left the village.
The Russian name of the flower has such variations as “saber grass” or the more widespread sword. So called due to the shape of the sword-shaped leaves and a height of up to 1.5 meters. And today, many believe in the magical power of the flower, believing that the presence of two or three plants on the site can protect against the evil eye and bad messages from ill-wishers. The stems of the fennel are erect, unbranched, and grow in well-moistened soils, often in lowlands, in calm conditions, which protects them from breakage in windy weather. Wild varieties were originally considered a wetland weed. Gladiolus began to be widely cultivated at the beginning of the 19th century.
Who do they give it to?
Traditionally, gladioli are considered masculine flowers, symbolizing fidelity, nobility, straightforwardness, and reliability. But in Eastern culture they are given as a sign of deepest respect, care and attention, so it is also appropriate to give them to women.
For men's compositions, monochromatic varieties of cream, lilac, red and salmon colors are used. Women are given more varied and colorful compositions. Low-growing gladioli are used in wedding bouquets or glamelias are created from their petals.
Impressive skewers are used to decorate the interiors of large rooms: meeting rooms, conference rooms, hotel lobbies, reception areas, stage decoration and restaurants.
Gladioli are among the Top 5 cut flowers grown for sale in the world.
Glamelia for the newlywed
The technique of creating a bouquet in the form of a single flower has been known since the mid-19th century, and gladioli were the first plants used in them. Nowadays florists create a flower bouquet from lilies, orchids, roses, peonies or combining different petals in one masterpiece. Glamelias are made to decorate cakes, as hair clips or boutonnieres for the groom.
To create glamelia, various techniques are used using glue, wire, toothpicks, and hairpins. You will need:
- 25-30 open salmon-colored gladiolus flowers;
- floral sponge;
- porta bouquet holder;
- toothpicks;
- quick-drying glue;
- satin ribbon to match the gladioli.
Steps for assembling glamelia with your own hands:
- From a piece of floral foam we cut out a ball to the size of the middle of the porta bouquet. We place it in a dissolved nutrient mixture, which is sold in bags in flower shops. We wait several hours until the sponge sinks to the bottom of the vessel with liquid, which is a sign of its good impregnation.
- We insert the sponge into the middle of the porta bouquet holder, which we will install in a narrow, high jar to make it more convenient to work with the composition and touch it with your hands as little as possible.
- Dip one pointed edge of a wooden skewer into glue. We place the open buds on the glued edge of a toothpick so that they fit tightly and do not dangle. Leave the glue to dry. We stick the lower pointed end of the skewer into the sponge, starting from the center to the periphery. We imitate the natural arrangement in the inflorescence.
- We decorate the outer part of the portbouquet's leg with a satin ribbon, wrapping several dense layers so that during the day we do not accidentally expose the structure with our hands.
It is not recommended to arrange glamelias in advance, although the flowers are fed through a wooden skewer with the solution contained in the sponge, such a bouquet is short-lived.
What to combine with
Next to the stately tall sword, when decorating compositions of the same level, the following look harmonious:
- dahlias;
- orchids;
- hydrangeas;
- feverweed;
- large roses;
- eustoma;
- callas;
- chrysanthemums.
For cascading, multi-level, S and L-shaped compositions next to the gladiolus, the following are suitable:
- bush roses;
- medium dahlias;
- lilies;
- asters;
- alstroemeria;
- gerberas.
Green additions to the skewer can be:
- eucalyptus;
- cattail;
- brunia;
- aspidistra;
- ruscus;
- bergrass;
- hosts;
- rhubarb;
- asparagus;
- fern.
