GLADIOLUS CULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 
Prepared by the New England Gladiolus Society 
1. Bulbs — You want sound, clean bulbs and N.E.G.S. advertisers 
may be relied upon to supply them. Inform them at once of any real 
or fancied complaint — a copy to N.E.G:S. please. 
2. Dip — Bulbs should be dipped for disease control. Kills thrips 
too, and can provide a protective coat against infection from soil-borne 
diseases or spread of disease from infected small dis- 
eased areas on bulbs. Bichloride of Mercury (1-1000 
solution, 1144 tablespoonsful to six gallons of water for 
17 hours). New Improved Ceresan for bulbs requires 
only 15 minutes and is used 1 ounce plus 3 teaspoon 
measures duPont (Grasselli) Spreader-Sticker to 3 
gallons of water. Lysol is effective against thrips 
(14% tablespoonsful per gallon of water for 3 hours) — 
so are other phenols, like 1 teaspoon Cresol Solution Compound 
(U.S.P. XI) with each quart of water — three hours soak just before 
planting. Read complete and detailed instructions before using any 
dips — they are poisons. 
Plant immediately after any dip. 

3. Soil — Gladiolus, like vegetables, must receive full sun most of 
the day and require similar conditions. Rotate your planting — use 
cover crops, and have your soil tested. A good seed 
bed gives best results. Glads grow well easily but 
prefer a slightly acid, sandy loam of pH about 6.5. 
Have your soil analyzed by a qualified Field Station— 
you can test acidity yourself. Soil should be plowed 
| or spaded to a depth of at least eight inches and 
| worked until entirely free of clods. Home plantings 
should avoid proximity to building, heavy rooted 
plants, trees, etc. 
3. Planting — May be started as early in the spring as soil is dry 
and friable; may be continued in some climates until July 1. Planting 
continued over a long period, blooming season will 
be correspondingly long. Early planted bulbs usually 
produce best bloom. Bulbs sprouted in storage, 
should be planted before the sprouts are more than 
one inch long. Depth to plant varies with size of bulb 
- and type of soil; large bulbs from four to six inches 
\ deep, shallow in heavy soils and deeper in light soils. 
Plant small bulbs from two to three inches deep. If 
bulbs are planted deeply, especially in light soils, spikes will be less 
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