i quit growing them about 20 years ago ... because the short show.. wasnt worth all the work ,.... including having to store them indoors in winter ...

in my MI ... i would suspect 2 weeks over 90 ... with hot humid night .. not being conducive to the temperamental tissue of the flower itself ...

it might be a year.. to cut them as soon as the first bud is starting to open.. and see if they last a bit longer in the air conditioned house ...

i am assuming your watering is proper ... insert finger and find out... maybe a half gallon isnt enough????

obviously.. a hail storm didnt help anything ... if the stem is creased ... may as well cut those for the vase also ...

ken

You've got bugs. Maybe these for instance.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gladiolus%20Thrips%20Damage&qs=n&form=QBIR&sp=-1&pq=gladiolus%20thrips%20damage&sc=0-23&sk=&cvid=673E3ED7E7EF485D8E6D73C19FDA5441

Otherwise probably mites. Get a magnifier and look for them, so you will be able to use a correctly targeted, pest specific remedy.

I think glads have a short life span (a pro will come along, hopefully, and tell us what we need to do to make them last longer). Usually, I use them as cut flowers so I can enjoy them in the house. Plus they get so top heavy they flop over with no provocation.

I haven't seen any bugs on them but I guess I'll really have to take a closer look because the damage to them looks consistent.

Thanks everyone!