GLADIOLUS CULTURE IN A NUTSHELL 
When bulbs are received, open package and bags at once to 
admit air and store in cool dry cellar. Correct temperature for bulb 
storage about 40 degrees Farenheit. 
The proper time to plant is when the ground is somewhat 
warmed up which is usually about the time trees begin to leaf. 
Naturally, this condition varies according to the locality, we find 
we can start bulblets around April 10th, and bulbs a week or so 
later. The best places to plant bulbs are spots in your garden which 
get lots of sunlight and away from trees, shrubs, etc., which tend 
to take all the moisture from the ground. 
Gladiolus will grow in any kind of soil, but there must be good 
drainage. They can take a large amount of moisture but, under 
no circumstances, will they thrive in continually ‘wet’ spots. 
We recommend the “dipping” or ‘‘disinfecting’’ of bulbs prior 
to planting, regardless of whether they are your own stock or new 
purchases. This is a safe-guard to kill thrips and also any possible 
disease on the bulbs. 
Effective disinfectants which we huve used to advantage are 
Lysol, Bichloride of Mercury or Ceresan. Temperature of the liquid 
should be around 70 degrees. Treating of bulbs should be done 
just prior to planting. 
Using the Bichloride of Mercury (Corrosive Sublimate) SOAK 
from 12-16 hours in a solution of one ounce to seven gallons of 
water. Use only wooden, glass or crockery containers. This is very 
effective BUT it definitely holds up growth for about a week. 
Lysol dip: 1 tablespoon of Lysol to 1 gallon of water, SOAKING 
the bulbs four to eight hours. We find this very good for both thrips 
and diseases. 
Ceresan: This is a dangerous poison so be careful. Use an 
ounce of the new improved ceresan to about two gallons of water 
with an ounce of Spreader added. Mix the spreader and the ceresan 
thoroughly in a small amount of water first. Bulbs should not be 
left in this mixture any more than thirty minutes. This treatment 
particularly good for diseases. 
If thrips are detected once the plants are well up, two methods 
are used extensively. Either spraying or dusting. Spraying is a lot 
of work and we have found that dusting is just as good. 10% D.D.T. 
powder will do the trick. If you have found this unsatisfactory, then 
spraying can be done by using either 50% D.D.T. Foliage Spray 
or Tartar Emetic. If using Tartar Emetic, the proper solution is three 
gallons of water, 41/. teaspoons of Tartar Emetic and one cup of 
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