Gladiolus Culture 
By F. L. WORCESTER 
Gladiolus are easy to grow and are the most adaptable of all garden flowers. 
Nothing else of their class cost so little or bloom so readily in any soil and every 
climate. Any good garden soil is suitable although they seem to prefer a light sandy 
loam. Heavy soils may be conditioned by the application of ground limestone, sand, 
or well-sifted coal ashes. Ground limestone is especially desirable if the soil is very 
acid, and it is suggested that you have your soil tested for fertility. Such tests usually 
can be had from your State Department of Agriculture without cost. Write to them. 
The first essential in growing gladiolus successfully is to secure clean well devel¬ 
oped bulbs. High-crowned bulbs (of greater depth from top to bottom than of 
diameter) are generally considered best but we doubt that this is the best test. We 
prefer plump smooth bulbs which is generally an indication that the bulb is fully 
developed. However, bulbs of different varieties vary both in size and shape. Some 
varieties never produce high-crowned bulbs and others never produce smooth bulbs. 
Nevertheless, these same ones constantly produce wonderful bloom. Our experi¬ 
ence indicates that quality of bloom is largely dependent upon growth of the bulb 
after it has bloomed the previous year. Large bulbs seldom develop from stock that 
does not produce some bloom, however small, and if the bloom is cut, no harm 
results. After bloom is cut, the plant devotes its entire energy to the development 
of the new bulb. Do not dig your bulbs too quickly after they have bloomed. We 
prefer to leave them at least 90 days unless the plants die before. Do not wait until 
the plant dies completely. Dig just as soon as it begins to die. In late plantings, the 
bulbs continue to grow for considerable time after the plants are damaged by frost. 
However, it appears that bulb growth is accelerated in such cases and they may be 
dug within a shorter time. 
Planting should begin as soon as early garden-making will permit and be followed 
by successive plantings of about ten-day intervals until early July. Late plantings 
blooming September 1 and after, usually produce finer bloom than those blooming 
during the heat of mid-summer. We know of no other flower of which the blooming 
can be controlled so easily. 
Bulbs should be planted four inches deep or over. We prefer deeper. If planted 
in rows, bulbs may be spaced four to five inches apart (closer if you desire) in rows 
one to three feet apart, depending upon space available and method of cultivation to 
be used. If planted in rows, it is desirable to hill up with a garden plow just before 
bloom spikes appear. This usually makes it unnecessary to stake plants. Deep plant¬ 
ing is also helpful for this purpose. 
Gladiolus require sunshine and should not be planted in shady places. They may 
be planted in beds in rows about one foot apart with bulbs spaced about three inches 
apart or in your borders in separate groups among other plants and flowers. Do not 
plant near to trees or shrubbery. If planted in the borders, cut spikes as soon as 
blooms die to avoid unsightly appearance. 
Proper preparation of the ground is very important and we prefer spading or 
plowing the fall before, leaving the ground lay rough over winter. In any event, 
'^jchglad (garden 
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