Gladiolus

From Gardening Wiki

The Gladiolus, here we have a regal flower stately enough for the finest mansion, as well as a democratic flower charming for the cottage window and home garden.

Each year finds new uses for the Gladiolus, which now holds first place among the Summer blooming bulbs. First, because of the great range of color; secondly, because of wonderful keeping qualities, each spike keeping over a week; thirdly, because of its easy cultivation, primarily the same as that for Potatoes; and, fourthly, by the proper choice of established varieties they can be commended because of their cheapness.

This flower is extensively utilized for all kinds of decorative work. Large vases or baskets of the stately flower spikes fill a place quite distinct from any other flower. As a garden subject the Gladiolus is unexcelled for furnishing a long season of bloom, extending from mid-July until frost, either in a bed, in which case the plants should be very close, or in clumps in the herbaceous border.

Soil for Gladioli

The best soil for the Gladiolus is a medium loam. It appreciates good fertility, but seems sensitive to any manure in contact with the bulbs. Manure is good if applied in the Autumn previous to planting. The best fertilizer for general use is one that would be called a Potato fertilizer, rich in potash and phosphoric acid, both chemicals being useful in the proper formation of good bulbs. Bonemeal is also extensively used. Liquid manure, when the buds are forming, seems beneficial.

Gladiolus Planting and Hardiness

Gladioli are not hardy, except some varieties of Lemoinei, and even these require protection in New York State. Planting should be deferred until all danger of frost is past.

A well-planned succession in planting is advisable. The depth to plant is determined by the character of the soil. In the lightest soil seven or eight inches is not too deep, but in a heavy clay four or five inches would be a sufficient depth. There are two reasons why the conns should be planted as deep as the character of the soil will permit:

First, the Gladiolus is moisture-loving, and in deep planting its roots are in the cooler moist soil; secondly, the soil acts as a support, no other support for the stems being necessary ordinarily. Commercially, the corms, or, bulbs, are usually planted in rows, often two rows, about six inches apart, in the furrow. If the corms are over one inch in diameter they are scattered promiscuously.

Upon the approach of frost the corms are dug, and the tops left on the corms. They are then stored in an airy place to dry thoroughly. After several weeks the last year's exhausted corms and the old stems may be removed and the stock cleaned. The best storage temperature is from 40 to 45 deg., and in a rather dry atmosphere. If the corms become heated they dry, and this causes them to start prematurely. If too humid the corms rot or start growth. A shallow tray three or four inches deep insures the corms against heating.

Propagation of Gladiolus

(1) By seeds. By this method new varieties are obtained, but the standard varieties, being hybrids, do not come true when started from seed.

(2) By cormels, or " spawn " (the small, hard-shelled little cormels borne upon the old ones). These, if planted during the Spring following the season in which they were produced, will bloom one or two years later, or usually one year sooner than from seed. (3) By the annual renewal of corms, of which there are from one to six, produced above the old corm each year.