Gladiolus
Gladiolus
Glads bear spikes of large florets in a wide range of colors. They do well in well drained soil, full sun and good air circulation. When the flower spike forms, more water will be needed.
Glads respond to fertilization and two different methods give good results. A 5-10-10 or 10- 10-10 fertilizer is side dressed when the leaves are 6 inches high and again when the flower spike breaks through the leaves. The other method is an application of liquid fertilizer every 10 days from the time the flower spike forms until the flowers begin to open.
Corms planted on a staggered schedule through May and June provide a continuous supply of flowers. Corms are planted two and one-half to four inches deep and 10 to 20 inches apart. Corms planted deeper flower later and deeper planting can lead to disease problems.
Corms are ready to dig when the tops have died. Remove the old shriveled corm, but the husks are left on. A few corms can be stored in onion sacks. Large numbers of corms are stored in shallow layers on trays with screen bottoms. The storage area should be well ventilated and have a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees.
Propagation is by cormlets selected from certain varieties and planted one inch apart in a nursery row.
