Gladioli Culture
Easy care and easy to grow … glads for certain!
By planting a few corms at ten day to two week intervals beginning in early
March, and continuing through mid-September, cut flowers will be available
almost continuously.
Gladioli are among the easiest cut flowers grown. They offer homeowners a
chance to have cut flowers throughout the summer.
The long spikes of white, orange, red, pink, or lime can be used to create enjoyable fresh flower arrangements for the home. By planting a few corms at ten day to two week intervals beginning in early March, and continuing through mid September, cut flowers will be available almost continuously.
Glads need organic matter
Gladioli require full sun and grow best in a well drained garden soil high in organic matter. To prepare your clay soil for glads spread 3-inches of pine bark, rotted leaves, rotted manure or peat moss and 1 inch of coarse sand in the rows or in the bed where the gladioli are to be grown. Spread three pounds of 8-8-8, 5-10-15, or 6-12-12 fertilizer per 100 feet of row or 100 square feet of bed space. Mix fertilizer and organic matter 11 - 12 inches deep in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Space the corms 3 - 4 inches apart in rows. Water thoroughly after planting. Once the leaves reach 4 to 6 inches in length repeat with the same fertilization used at planting. Remember, that's three pounds of 8-8-8, 5-10-15, or 6-12-12 per 100 feet of row or 100 square foot of bed space.
Lack of water just before and during bloom is the major reason for failure. Water is especially helpful after the flower spike becomes visible. Soak the soil to a depth of 6 - 8 inches at each watering. Light sprinklings are of no value and can be harmful.
Cultivate your glads…
Plan to lightly cultivate every ten days to two weeks to reduce weeds and to prevent the soil surface from crusting. The flower spikes may be cut as the first flower opens. The remaining flowers may open after they are placed in the arrangement, provided plenty of fresh water is added to the container.
For more information on the culture of gladioli, contact your local county Extension office.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||