Gladiolus Cultural Instructions 
* 
WHEN BULBS ARE RECEIVED — Open package at once to admit air. If 
packages are large, transfer bulbs to shallow boxes or trays. Store in a cool dry 
place, away from frost, until ready for planting. 
WHEN TO PLANT. Make first planting in early Spring as soon as ground is 
warm. Here in the Chicago area about April 15th is safe. Additional plantings may 
be made until latter part of June. 
' WHERE TO PLANT. Any good sunny location away from trees or heavy 
shrubbery. If flowers are to be used for cutting, plant in rows in the vegetable 
garden for easy cultivation. 
KIND OF SOIL. Gladiolus are not particular as to kind of soil if it is well 
drained. Any soil that will grow good vegetables will grow specimen glads. 
DISTANCE APART. If planting in beds, space bulbs about six inches apart. If 
planting in rows, space rows eighteen to twenty inches apart and bulbs about four 
inches apart in the rows. If show spikes are wanted, space six to seven inches apart 
in the rows. 
DEPTH TO PLANT. Plant bulbs from three to six inches deep. Sandy soil 
requires deeper planting than clay soil. Small bulbs and bulblets should not be 
planted over three inches deep. 
CULTIVATING. Gladiolus should be cultivated frequently to keep the surface 
of the soil loose and to prevent weeds from growing. Do not cultivate deep — 
rather cultivate often and shallow — about an inch is sufficient. 
FERTILIZING. For good specimen blooms glads should be fertilized. Use a com- 
plete fertilizer such as Vigoro and follow directions on the package. Apply at about 
2-week intervals from the time the plants come up until first flowers begin to open. 
WATERING. The amount of water required for glads depends upon the type of 
soil in which they are growing. Sandy soils require more, clay or heavy soils less 
watering. If soil has good drainage, water generously from the time the spikes begin 
to form until flowers are cut. Do not sprinkle but soak thoroughly when you do 
water. Once a week is usually sufficient, but if soil is quite sandy, about every 5 days 
is not too often. 
CUTTING. Gladiolus are among the finest cut flowers grown. They open well 
in water and last long after being cut. Cut when the first flower opens. Leave at 
least four leaves on the plant to mature the bulb for next season’s crop. This can 
easily be done by cutting down between the leaves and stem and turning the knife 
sharply to completely sever the stem. 
DIGGING AND STORING. Dig bulbs in fall before danger of heavy frost. Cut 
tops off close to the bulb and store bulbs in shallow boxes or trays in a dry airy place 
for 3 or 4 weeks, where they will not freeze. When dry the old bulb and roots should 
be removed. Do not peel the husks off the bulbs at this time as they will act as a 
protection to the bulb during storage. 
If the bulbs are thoroughly dry, they should be placed in shallow trays or boxes 
in a cool, dry place until spring. Screened boxes would be preferable as they will 
admit free circulation of air. 
MISSION GARDENS, TECHNY, ILLINOIS 
