Gladiolus 
How to Grow Gladiolus. Glads planted Nov. 15 to Mar. | in Southern California 
and thruout the south (a little later in Northern California and early as possible in spring 
in the east) are reasonably sure to escape the attack of thrips. Our glad bulbs are especially 
grown for this purpose, matured early and dug in August. But if you plant recently dug 
bulbs you will gain nothing; they will continue their rest of three months before starting. 
Thrips are very small insects that suck the juices from the plant. They cause the 
flowers to wither or appear burned, and appear only after weather becomes warm. To 
avoid the damage thrips do, four measures are effective. Plant early. Plant clean, treated 
bulbs. Keep them reasonably moist and well cultivated, with no weeds. Dust with Chlor- 
dane. A hand duster can be bought from most local feed or seed stores. Probably Chlor- 
dane also. Chlordane tho toxic is safe to use but do not use on vegetables. Be careful not 
to breathe much of the dust. It also kills ants and other pests. 
Dust Gladiolus 3 or 4 times before flowering. Begin when plants are 6” or 8” tall. 
Many will prefer to spray instead of dusting. For a spray use “Thripocide” which 
we list under “Garden Supplies,” 4 0z. for $1.15 post paid. 
Plant large bulbs (really “corms”’) 4” or 5” deep. Half inch bulbs, 3”. Bulblets 2”. 
Twice their diameter apart. Rows 20” apart, in full sun exposure. Best soil is-sandy loam 
but they do very well in heavy soils, especially if leaf mould and compost is added. 
Alkaline soils do not produce good Gladiolus. Correct them by addition of peat or leaf 
mould. Use only well decayed manure, if any. Spoonit is an excellent mildly acid fertilizer. 
SizeseoiZe Opel oe fupe NON 2,21 ae 10 16 6 No. deeb to lie Nor-4, 34 to 
1”; No. 5, %” to 4%”. No. 6, all under %”. In the following list L. means large, No.1 
or 2; M. means medium, No. 3 or 4; S. or small are No. 5 or 6. Smallest sizes bloom 
and often bulblets. No. 2 and 3 are preferred for growing commercial cut flowers. 
Prices are for one bulb. Multiply by 10 for the price of one doz; 6 at doz. rate. 100 
cost 70 times the cost of one or 7 times the cost of one dozen. In the following list we 
~have added a number of the very latest sorts that you will all want to try. 
Ballad. Ruffled, light rose, salmon tints. Late. All sizes, 10c. 
Barkarole. Clear, light orange. Ruffled. L. 8c. 
Birch Red. Best new deep red. L. 45c. 
Burma. Heavily ruffled, deep rose red. L. 8c. 
Capeheart. Early, salmon rose. L. 6c. 
Chamouny. Beautiful bright rose with silver edge. L. 8c. 
Elizabeth The Queen. Deeply ruffled, large flowers. Many consider it the most beau- 
tiftul gladiolus<L. lOc. 
Ethel Cave Cole. Florists favorite light pink. Large flowers, early and near perfect. 
1.6c) No,.lvandsjumbos:for.oc., [hey areva little earlier. 
Evangeline. Palmer origination, (Greta Garbo x Elizabeth The Queen). Ruffled, 
light rose. Up to 5% ft. tall and sometimes 12 open. One of the most beautiful varieties. 
All sizes sold for $10.00 in 1948 and for $1.00 last year. No. 3 bulbs for 45c. 
Florence Nightingale. A new pure white that many think is the best of all. 30” 
flower head, 8 or more open, 5% ft. tall. No. 3 bulbs, 20c. 
Gold Dust. Very early, clear yellow. L. 10c. 
H. B. Pitt. Very fine, large orange pink. L. 10c. 
Huntress. Very early, large, ruffled lavender. A fine florists glad. L. 10c. 
Jacinth. Color of this gem, an orange tone. L. 8c. 
June Bells. Tall, ruffled white, early. 15c. 
Los Angeles. An old timer, once the popular cut flower in this market. Useful in 
landscape because of profusion of flowers. I have seen as many as 100 from one bulb, 
due to numerous side branches. Plant 6” apart and water freely for best performance. 
A good winter forcer in greenhouse. L. 6c. 
Margaret Beaton. Pure white with scarlet blotch. L. 6c. 
Miss Wisconsin. Best medium rose. A florists’ favorite. L. 6c. 
17 
