GLADIOLUS 



THE BULB BOOK 



GLADIOLUS 



of brilliant scarlet flowers about Ih 

 ins. long (Bot. Mag. t. 6919). The 

 variety minor is smaller in every 

 way. 



G. Watsonius. — This species grows 

 1 to 2 ft. high, and has flat linear 

 lance-shaped leaves and bright red 

 cylindrical flowers with a curved 

 tube, the lower segments being re- 

 curved {Bot. Mag. t, 450 ; Red. Lil. 

 t. 369). A variety having the perianth 

 segments variegated with yellow from 

 base to centre is figured in the Bot. 

 Mag. t. 569. 



ClTLTUEE AND PROPAGATION OF 



THE Gladiolus. — With the excep- 

 tion of a few of the more tender 

 species such as G. Elirki, G. 

 primulinus, and G. Quartinianus, 

 most of the Gladioli mentioned above 

 may be grown in the open air in 

 most parts of the British Islands. 

 The natural species, although not so 

 brilliant in hue or so luxurious in habit 

 as the more modern garden varieties 

 are nevertheless worthy of cultivation 

 where space can be afforded. And 

 who knows, considering the success 

 that has been secured in raising such 

 groups as the Childsi, gandavensis, 

 Nameiaims, and Lemoinei, that there 

 may be still a possibility of raising 

 other fine races of Gladioli. Indeed 

 evidence is not wanting that many 

 nurserymen and several amateurs 

 are paying great attention to this 

 problem, and we may expect in the 

 near future great developments in 

 the way of new and vigorous hybrids. 

 Generally speaking, all the Gladioli 

 like a rather stiff loamy soil which 

 should, however, be deeply cultivated, 

 and contain a certain amount of grit 

 to secure greater warmth, aeration, 

 and thorough drainage. Well-rotted 

 stable manure within a foot or so 

 of the surface should always be 

 incorporated with the soil, as it is 

 particularly valuable in retaining 



moisture round the roots during hot 

 and rainless summers. In light sandy 

 soils it is necessary to dig in much 

 larger quantities of well-decayed 

 manure, and perhaps cow-manure is 

 better than any other for a soil of 

 this nature. 



A very heavy, cold, and wet soil 

 is about the worst for growing 

 Gladioli. If, however, such a soil is 

 trenched about 3 ft. deep, in 

 September or October, at the same 

 time working in layers of manure 

 between each layer of soil, a wonder- 

 ful improvement towards warmth, 

 fertility, and friability will take place 

 before the planting season for the 

 summer- and autumn - flowering 

 varieties. 



Planting. — The summer- and 

 autumn-flowering Gladioli, including 

 all forms of Childd, Lemoiiui, Xance- 

 ianus, gandavensis, and hyench/ej/ensis, 

 are best planted about the end of 

 March or early in April, taking into 

 consideration the state of the 

 weather and the locality. The 

 corms may be planted in drills 

 drawn a foot or 15 ins. apart and 

 4 or 5 ins. deep, or they may be 

 planted with a trowel in groups in 

 the flower-border. Nothing is lost, 

 however, by turning the soil up 

 in ridges, as it becomes still more 

 friable and valuable. As the corms 

 of the various species and sections 

 differ a good deal in size, it may be 

 stated as a general rule that they 

 should be planted about three times 

 their own depth — in other words, 

 they should be covered with a layer 

 of soil equal to twice their own 

 thickness. 



Warm, open, sunny situations 

 should be chosen, and Gladioli may 

 be grouped in the ordinary herbaceous 

 flower-border where space permits, 

 or in special beds by themselves. 

 It is also an excellent plan to utilise 



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