CARE AND CULTURE OF GLADIOLUS 
Select a sunny location away from the roots of trees and shrubs. Plant four 
to six inches deep, having bulbs five or six inches apart. 
Place bulbs in a well worked trench in staggered or zigzag row— ~ . 5 
and cover at first with about two inches of loam; when shoots begin to appear, 
work balance of loam into the trench. At all times keep the soil loose. As an aid 
to producing larger blooms work in fertilizer around the plants when about a foot 
or more in height and never at planting time. At the time flower spikes appear, 
abundant watering is very beneficial. 
Bulbs should be dug as soon as you note the leaves turning yellow. Cut 
stem off half an inch above bulb, spread them out to dry for two or three days in 
a sunny location and then place in an open shed or room for two weeks or more 
before storing them away in a good dry cellar. Keep them spread out and not over 
three inches deep, give bulbs an occasional airing during the winter. 
When cutting flowers leave at least four leaves remaining on the plant. 
Positive injury to the blooming qualities of the bulbs for the following year will 
occur if this precaution is not heeded. 
For cut flowers, cut the spike when first bud fully opens. The remaining 
buds will open nicely and give a longer period of bloom and greater enjoyment. 
Remove wilted blossoms, change water and cut off small portion of the stems 
each day. 
CONTROL OF THRIP 
This insect can be carried on clothing, from one field to another by birds, 
high winds or in bouquets. Many bulbs are perfectly clean when planted, yet 
contract Thrip before season is over. 
Thrip are black and cream, 1-16 inch long and live in the folded gladiolus 
leaves. Sometimes they can be detected by the silvery sheen on leaves although 
many times discovery is too late and the buds do not open as the insect has 
extracted all juice from them previously. 
When plants are about three inches tall and thrip is found, it is best to use 
a solution of the following as a weekly spray. 
Use 1 pound Tartar Emetic, 4 pounds brown sugar to 25 gallons water for 
weekly spray. Tartar Emetic is a deadly poison to human beings. Tartar Emetic 
spray will not burn the foliage. Or use 3 gallons water, 2 tbsp. of Tartar Emetic 
and 1-3 cup sugar for smaller amounts. 
If discovery is made too late, it is best to cut tops off, about six inches from 
ground and burn them, allow bulbs to stay in ground until digging time. The 
above spray can be used on remaining stalk to kill anything which might be left. 
Dig, clean and dry bulbs in usual manner. Place thoroughly dry bulbs in 
boxes, heavy paper bags or receptacles. Sprinkle Napthalene Flakes at the rate 
of 1 pound to 2000 bulbs or 1 ounce to 100 corms over bulbs. Immediately cover 
receptacles with heavy paper or tie heavy paper bags at top to confine fumes. 
Keep bulbs at temperature of about 60 degrees for three weeks. Then shake off 
ALL FLAKES and store bulbs in dry place, uncovered, at 40-50 degrees for winter. 
Warning—tTreat stock in Fall, before roots swell or form at base. Naptha- 
lene adhering to bulbs will burn rootlets where they appear. Bulbs must be 
thoroughly dry before treating with Napthalene. 
Bichloride of Mercury can be used to disinfect in proportion of 1 ounce to 8 
gallons of water, or 10-15 grain tablets to gallon water, or if only a small amount 
of bulbs use 1-5 grain tablet to 1 pint water, soaking bulbs in solution for 3 hours. 
If many varieties to soak at the same time, place them in sugar, salt or net bags, 
labelling each variety, using little wood labels. A waterproof pencil can be used 
on the labels for marking. 
NAPTHALENE FLAKES, 2 POUND PACKAGE, 50 CENTS 
LYSOL DISINFECTANT.—As a dip for gladiolus bulbs, it has proven very satis- 
factory, 4 teaspoonfuls of Lysol mixed in 1 gallon of water, soaking the bulbs 
for 6 hours eliminates thrip and stimulates root growth. 
Although this method has not been tried by us, we have known of others who 
have had success with Lysol. It may prove more satisfactory than the 
Mercury method. 


