
HOW TO GROW GLADIOLUS 
PLANTING 
Gladiolus should be planted in spring after danger of frost is over. In regions 
where the weather is mild, planting can begin in January and continue until 
mid-July. In the Eastern and Midwest States, where severe cold prevails, 
April and May are the best planting months. 
Plant the bulbs about four times their own depth. In a cool climate plant in 
full sun. Where the weather is extremely warm in summer a partially shaded 
place is best. 
GROWING 
Do not use dressing too freely at planting time. A little bone meal or Gaviota 
or any good commercial fertilizer dug deep into the ground before planting 
will give larger blooms. Fertilizer should never be allowed to touch the bulbs. 
We like to apply fertilizer on top of the ground after the bulbs are planted. 
The ground should be kept moist (not wet) until the plants come into bloom. 
Cultivate freely. The blooms can be cut as soon as the first two or three blooms 
are open. Always leave at least five leaves on the plant to help mature the 
bulb. 
DIGGING 
Dig the bulb as soon as the leaves begin to turn yellow. This is usually about 
six weeks or two months after they are through blooming. Cut the tops close 
to the bulb and burn the tops to destroy any insects that may be on them. 
Store in shallow trays or boxes in a cool, well ventilated frost-proof store- 
room. Remove the old dried corms from the new bulb as soon as they come 
off easy. This is usually several weeks after they are stored. 
TO PROTECT OR SAVE YOUR OWN BULBS 
If you have had thrips you do not need to throw your bulbs away. Dig them 
while the stalks are still a little green (about five weeks after blooming), and 
cut off and burn ALL the old stalks just before digging. Keep the bulbs away 
from other infested plantings while curing. When thoroughly cured, store in 
a room with temperature from 60 to 70 degrees for three weeks, then move 
to room with cooler temperature until planting time. 
Sprinkle one pound of naphthalene flakes among each thousand bulbs. Small 
quantities of bulbs should be placed in a small paper bag which, in turn, 
should be placed (open at the top) in a large bag containing a few naphtha- 
lene flakes. The large bag can be closed by using ordinary paper clips. This 
is to keep the bulbs from direct contact with the naphthalene. Where the 
quantity of bulbs is larger, other means should be taken to accomplish the 
same result. Not more than twenty-four hours before planting peel the bulbs 
and dip them in 120 deg. hot water for about two minutes. (About as hot as 
the average person can stand with his hand fully immersed.) 
NOTE: The bulbs we supply have been fully protected by fumigation, and 
need not be treated unless stored with your other bulbs after leaving our 
sheds. 
1S 
