We have found that some of our customers have very difficult growing condi- 
tions, and believe that an article, such as the following, will prove very interesting to 
Glad fans in general. Perhaps we are lucky to have ideal growing conditions. We con- 
sider these obstacles a tribute to flowers, and Gladiolus directly, and praise this de- 
sire to create floral beauty. We are proud to have Mr. Ehringer for a customer. 
GROWING GLADIOLUS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS 
Southern Arizona really has a very desirable all year round climate which has 
restored the health of thousands of persons that settled there from various parts of 
the nation. 
However, before he can produce beautiful flowers there, the gardener must ac- 
quire a greater knowledge of soils, plants and watering than is necessary in almost any 
other section of the United States. Probably in no other location will he encounter 
sO many exasperating and injurious conditions contributing to discourage him. 
We live in the small Mexican border town of Nogales, which is 70 miles south of 
Tucson. Our home is on a hill top with an altitude of 4,000 feet above sea level. The 
lot is rather small and I have a total of only 1800 square feet in cultivation. However, 
this area is divided into 20 separate flower beds of various sizes which are located on 
all four sides of the house. Those in the rear are on terraces. Very little top soil 
covered the rocks and hardpan when I moved in seven years ago. Approximately 35% 
of the contents of each bed consisted originally of stones and rocks varying in size 
from a walnut to boulders two feet in diameter. A few parts of the lot were under- 
laid with huge slabs of limestone which were beyond my ability to remove. In such 
cases the beds had to be raised, instead of lowered. Sand and composted materials 
consisting of cow manure, mesquite sawdust and leaves were mixed with the original 
clay top soil. 
On our place we grow about 1,000 glads, in addition to a substantial collection 
of tall bearded iris, narcissi, gerberas, hemerocallis, sweet peas, roses and violets. Be- 
cause of the low humidity, scanty rainfall, brilliant sunshine and high temperatures it 
is especially necessary that the soil contain a liberal amount of organic matter, to better 
retain the moisture and thus protect the roots of the plants from the damaging heat. 
In the winter and spring we frequently do not have a drop of rain for six weeks. This 
year we had less than seven inches of precipitation from January 1 to August 1. In 
June, July and August the maximum temperature in the shade is between 95 and 107 
degrees for 15 or 20 days in a row. This explains why we must cut our glads as soon 
as the bottom floret opens. 
The best location for us is one which will receive shade after 3 p.m. Because of 
the reflected heat we can’t plant closer than three feet from the side of a wall or 
building. If we do the foliage turns grey or brown and the plants fail to bloom. The 
corms are planted from March 1 to April 15 and require heavy watering five days a 
week after they are ten inches tall and until they have finished blooming, after which 
time the frequency is gradually reduced. If planting is delayed until after May 15, the 
foliage and buds usually become victims of hordes of grasshoppers, corn earworms and 
fall army worms. Because of the intense heat during the greater part of the growing 
season, many of the gardening jobs can be done comfortably only before 9 a.m. or 
after 6 p.m. 
In common with many other sections which have an annual rainfall of less than 
15 inches, southern Arizona has an alkaline soil. The pH value in our vicinity is be- 
tween pH 71% and pH 8 and is one of the principal reasons why many persons fail 
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