HOW TO GROW GLADIOLUS 
PLANTING 
Gladiolus should be planted in spring after danger of frost is over. In regions 
where the weather is mild, planting can begin in January and continue until 
mid-July. In the Eastern and Midwest States, where severe cold prevails, April 
and May are the best planting months. 
Plant the bulbs about four times their own depth. In a cool climate plant in 
full sun. Where the weather is extremely warm in summer a partially shaded 
place is best. 
GROWING 
Do not use dressing too freely at planting time. A little bone meal or any 
good commercial fertilizer dug deep into the ground before planting will 
give larger blooms. Fertilizer should never be allowed to touch the bulbs. 
The ground should be kept moist (not wet) until the plants come into bloom. 
Cultivate freely. The blooms can be cut as soon as the first two or three blooms 
are open. Always leave at least five leaves on the plant to help mature the 
bulb. 
DIGGING AND STORING 
Dig the bulb about six weeks or two months after they are through blooming. 
Cut the tops close to the bulb and burn the tops to destroy any insects that 
may be on them. Store in shallow trays or boxes in a cool, well ventilated, 
frost-proof storeroom. Remove the old dried corms from the new bulb as soon 
as they come off easily. This is usually several weeks after they are stored. 

TO PROTECT OR SAVE YOUR OWN BULBS 
If you have had thrips in your planting, you need not throw your bulbs away. 
When they are thoroughly dry, place them in paper bags with a sprinkling of 
naphthalene flakes, at the approximate rate of one ounce to 100 corms; in 
larger quantities use one pound to 1,000 corms. The paper bags should be 
closed—this can be done by folding the tops and fasten with ordinary paper 
clips. The bulbs should then be stored for three weeks at a temperature of 65 
to 70 degrees. At the end of the three weeks remove the bulbs from the bags 
and place in open trays or open bags, and store in a cool, well ventilated 
room until planting time. 
Note—The bulbs we supply have been thoroughly fumigated with Methyl 
Bromide and are free from insects. 
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