Gladiol us Cuitu re 
By F. L. WORCESTER 
Gladiolus require only a place in the sun and fairly fertile garden soil. Do not 
plant near to trees as they seem to resent this more than anything else. In field growing 
we broadcast about 1,000 lbs. per acre of 5-8-5 fertilizer and disk it in before plant¬ 
ing. This seems to be more effective in producing fine bulbs than for bloom. Do 
not use manure unless you apply well-rotted manure in the fall. A good green crop 
turned under the year before is better, as manure has a tendency to damage the new 
bulb. 
The most effective method of fertilizing seems to be the application of a good 
quick-acting chemical fertilizer when the plants are about 12 inches high. Apply 
very sparingly well away from the plants and work it into the soil at once by culti¬ 
vating. Vigoro or some similar complete fertilizer will do very well for this pur¬ 
pose and will aid in growing good bulbs for next season. 
Bulbs should be planted four to five inches deep. If planted in rows, bulbs may 
be spaced 4 to 5 inches apart in rows 1^ to 3 feet apart, depending upon space 
available and method of cultivation to be used. If it is desired to save space, plant 
in beds in rows about 1 foot apart with bulbs about 3 inches apart (center to center) 
in rows. If planted in rows, it is desirable to hill up with garden plow just before 
bloom spike appears. This will often make it unnecessary to stake plants. 
In any event, cultivate well and frequently, keeping surface loose. This will com¬ 
pensate for dry weather conditions to a considerable extent. Gladiolus require con¬ 
siderable water, especially at blooming, but if you water, soak the ground thoroughly. 
Otherwise it is more harmful than beneficial. Do not make your glads compete with 
weeds, tree roots or shrubs. 
Lastly, plant sound, disease-free bulbs of good varieties whether you buy them 
from us or elsewhere. Do not expect good results from inferior stock sold at 
ridiculously low prices. 
INSECT PESTS AND BULB DISEASES 
Unfortunately gladiolus have their pests and diseases as do all other flowers and 
plants, although they have about as little trouble in this respect as anything you 
might grow. During the past few years, some sections of the country have ex¬ 
perienced considerable trouble from a minute black insect known as thrip which 
sucks the juices from the buds so that the flowers do not open properly. If you have 
had this trouble, do not be discouraged, because control of thrip is now very definite¬ 
ly a matter of record. 
We have had no thrip whatever in our fields during the past two seasons. Our 
%ichglad (garden 
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