GROWING GLADIOLUS 
When you receive your shipment of bulbs, open the 
package, inspect the bulbs, and leave the package open 
So air can get at the bulbs. My bulbs have been fumi- 
gated with Methyl Bromide, killing all insects and insect. 
eggs. Bulbs which I ship are dusted with a fungicide 
when packed. Further treatment before planting is not 
necessary. 
For dipping bulbs which you have grown, I suggest 
1 oz. of Lysol to three gallons of water (not too cold) — 
soaking the bulbs three-hours, and planting immediately. 
Start planting your large bulbs as soon as danger 
of ground freezing is past. Glads should be planted in 
full sun, or at least where they will receive the sun 
until the middle of the afternoon. Trees and shrubbery 
take a great deal of moisture from the ground--so glads 
Should not be planted too close to them. The vegetable 
garden is the ideal place for glads. 
Allow 5 to 6 inches between bulbs in the row. Cover 
bulbs with 4 or 5 inches of soil. When well cultivated, 
Soil usually remains moist at that depth, even in dry 
weather. That means the plant has a better chance of 
obtaining sufficient moisture. And deep planting helps 
Support large plants. 
Thrips are very small insects which will probably 
visit your garden unless you indicate they are not 
welcome by keeping DDT on your glads. I usually spray 
my field about three times during June and July, using 
13 oz of 50% Wettable DDT in three gallons of water, 
and obtain complete control of thrips. 
Dig your bulbs the middle of October, or immediately 
after the first heavy frost. Gladiolus plants should 
be green and healthy when bulbs are dug. Cut tops off 
as close to the bulb as possible--do not leave any stem 
on the bulb. Dry bulbs for three to five weeks before 
removing the old bulb and roots. When in the proper 
condition for 'cleaning' thevold bulb should: snap off 
cleanly. Any bulb should be discarded which shows signs 
of disease. Do not 'husk' or peel the bulb--the husk 
helps conserve moisture within the bulb during storage. 
I remove the outer husk on bulbs when shipping simply 
to make them look better! After the bulbs are 'cleaned' 
dust with 5% to 10% DDT to take care of any thrips which 
may be on the bulbs, and store in cloth or paper bags 
in a cold (but not freezing!) basement. 
