GROWERS OF HIGH-CROWNED BULBS FROM BULBLETS 
Here in southern California we have a climate ideal for growing gladiolus. Our 36- 
week growing season allows bulbs and bulblets time to completely mature. The result 
is a vigorous, solid, high-crowned bulb that does not shrink. 
We plant our bulbs in new sandy loam soil each year. 
We try to have the best of the new and old varieties. We do not drop a variety 
simply because it is old and we do not hesitate to drop a new variety if we feel it is 
not up to par. 
CULTURE OF GLADIOLUS 
pH. In most of southern California we have a condition prevelant in the southwestern 
part of the United States. Too high a pH—that is the soil is to alkaline. For us the 
lowering of the pH has had more effect on the gladiolus than has fertilizer. Gladiolus 
prefer a pH of 6.5. It is not difficult to lower the pH if soil sulphur is applied to the 
ground at the rate of 2 to 10 pounds per 100 square feet, depending on how high the 
original pH is and on how heavy a soil you have. Sandy soils require about half as much 
sulphur as heavy soils. Try to keep the sulphur in the upper 2 inches and keep the soil 
moist. Moisture and air are essential to dissolve the sulphur. 
Peat Moss. Soils that are either too heavy or too light or lack humus will be improved 
by the addition of peat moss. It makes the soil more acid and helps to hold moisture. 
Your gladiolus will like it. 
Planting. We start planting January 15, but any time after January 1 is satisfactory. 
Plant your bulbs 3 to 6 inches apart, depending on the bulb size, and about 4 inches 
deep for large bulbs; 2 inches deep for small bulbs. If the soil is sandy plant an inch or 
two deeper. They like lots of water but good drainage. Treat them like you would corn. 
Dusts and Sprays. Although our bulbs are kept free of thrip with 5% DDT powder, 
thrip seem to find glads anyway. They are very easy to control with 5% DDT spray 
or dust applied every 10 days after the glads get their fourth leaf. You will not eliminate 
the thrip. You simply control them. If you cannot obtain 5% DDT powder readily we 
will send you some, 4 lbs. for $1.00 or 10 lbs. for $2.00 postpaid. 
Wireworm Control. We now have a new dust containing 3% gamma isomer content of 
Benzene hexachloride. This is distributed under several trade name. Be sure to check 
the gamma isomer content. Use at the rate of 1 pound to 2,000 square feet or 20 pounds 
to the acre. To apply, dust it on the ground, cultivate and water. The results are im- 
mediate. It will not hurt growing glads. It has a persistent musty odor so keep it off 
food plants. If you cannot obtain this material we will mail you some with your order, 
1 lb. for $1.00; 10 ibs. for $8.00 and 20 lbs. for $15.00 postpaid. 
Cutting. When cutting flowers be sure to leave 4 to 6 leaves on the plant to mature the 
bulb. Otherwise the bulb will not amount to much. 
Digging and Storing. Bulbs should be dug when the leaves begin to turn brown or about 
6 to 8 weeks after blooming. When digging cut off the tops close to the bulb and spread 
the bulbs to dry. Don’t burn them up in the hot sun. In about two weeks you will find 
the roots come off easily. Clean the bulbs and dust with 5% DDT powder and store 
in a dry place free from frost. Stored bulbs need plenty of air circulation. 
Bulblet Planting. Plant bulblets about 114 inches deep and 14 inch apart in rows or 
beds, whichever is more practical. Keep them well! watered and you will be rewarded 
with a few blooms and a lot of nice bulbs in the fall. 
Please Read Before Ordering 
Retail Orders for $2.00 or more are prepaid in U. S. Instead of granting discounts on 
larger orders we give extra bulbs. The larger the order the more extras you will get. 
We starting planting bulblets in February. Orders for bulblets should be placed before 
February. We will ship any time you say. 
California customers please add 214% State Sales Tax. 
