GLADIOLUS CULTURE 
Note: The following instructions apply to average normal 
growing conditions; should unusual soil or climatic conditions 
prevail, the amateur gladiolus grower should consult his County 
Agricultural Agent or a local gladiclus grower. 
Stock for Planting: Secure healthy stock from a reliable source specializing in 
quality gladiolus bulbs. Look over all Bulbs and discard any that show signs 
of rot. Maximum size blooms usually are obtained from large plump bulbs; 
better results can be expected from young high-crowned bulbs of at least 
1-inch in diameter than from older and larger “thin” bulbs. As a safe-guard 
against thrips all bulbs, regardless of source, should be dusted with DDT (5%) 
as soon as received by the purchaser. (We guarantee our bulbs to be healthy 
and free of thrip when you receive them, but if they are placed in close prox- 
imity to bulbs already infested, they may become infested also). 
Dips: Dips control disease. Dip your own bulbs and those you buy, before 
planting. Two proven formulas: New Improved Ceresan, one ounce (approxi- 
imately 4 level tablespoons) plus 3 teaspoon measures duPont (Grasselli) 
Spreader Sticker or Dreft to 3 gallons water. Mix N.I.C. in sauce dish with 
Spreader Sticker, use wooden ladle (keep fingers out, poison to skin in this 
concecntrated form), than add to 3 gallons water. (Okay for hands to be in 
this weakened solution). Soak bulbs 15 minutes, plant in damp soil same day. 
Bulblets not peeled, 30 minutes; peeled, 15 minutes. Plant same as above. An- 
other dip: Lysol, one and a half tablespoonfuls per gallon of water. Soak bulbs 
3 hours, bulblets 3 hours. Plant same day. 
Planting: Plant when your trees are leafing out and soil has warmed, and can 
be planted anytime till July 1st. Almost any soil will do if well drained. Plant 
in full sunshine, in rows as you would corn. Rows at least 18 inches apart. 
Plant large bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, depending on soil. Light soil deepest, 
smaller bulbs in proportion. Bulblets one and a half inches deep, one inch 
apart in rows, not closer. Plant Gladiolus away from trees and buildings. Ro- 
tate plantings. Plant in same ground but once in four years. Any soil that 
will grow a good crop of vegetables or weeds is good for Gladiolus. 
Fertilizing: Fertilize — yes and no, use your own judgment but never plant 
Gladiolus bulbs where they might touch green manure (any kind), or come in 
contact with fertilizer. Novice growers better let fertilizers alone. 
Cultivation: Cultivate once a week not deeper than 2 inches. If it rains, re- 
peat after soil becomes workable (so it will not clod). Keep your garden free 
of weeds, they take the same water and feed on the same elements as your 
Gladiolus. 
Watering: After fourth or fifth leaf appears (four or five weeKs before bloom- 
ing), water once a week or ten days, one inch of water, if you don’t get rain In 
that amount. Set a flat container in your patch. One inch of water in the 
container indicates one inch of water for that period. After bud spikes appear, 
Same amount of water twice a week. 
Spraying: Dust with D.D.T. 5% about once every ten days after plants are up 
6 to 8 inches, or spray with 50% wettable D.D.T. one oz. in 3 gal. water. Repeat 
after a rain. Both control Thrips. Best time to dust, in evening when wind is 
down. Dust should be like light fog. If light breeze let dust float over patch, 
start to windward. Spraying can be done anytime during the day. 
Blooms: Cut your blooms perferably in the morning when one or two florets 
are open. Use a small sharp narrow blade, run down spike, then cut through 
with a slanting cut. Be sure to leave four or five leaves on plant to mature 
bulb. Place spike in water, fresh water every day, cut off half inch of spike 
each day. Spike will open to tip. Use tips for floating table decorations, cor- 
lation. 
sages. To keep for shows, place in cool basement; mut have some ventile 
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