Description

The popular Gladiolus is easy to grow in most climatic areas and is a very useful addition as background colour to all garden borders and island plantings. They flower in heights from 80 to 150cm. With a long flowering season from December to April and a range of colours to choose from, gladiolus lends itself to all types of garden design. They have always been popular as cut flowers for the vase or made up in floral arrangements.

Cultivation

Gladiolus can be grown in most soils in climates ranging from sub-tropical, temperate and cool. The main requirement are that they are grown in well-drained and well fertilised soil, receiving either morning/midday sun in hotter climates to all day sun in the cooler regions. In warm areas they can be planted from middle to late winter and in cool areas plant from spring to early summer. In soils enriched with organic matter supplementary feeding should not be necessary. In poorer soils, mix complete plant food or a balanced 5-2-1 fertilizer through the soil before planting.

Corms should then be planted progressively from August to December, thus resulting in a succession of bloom. Plant them 8 to 10 cm deep and 15 cm apart with a preference to plant in clumps for protection from wind. Water well once after planting and then again when the leaves appear. During growth and flowering, water once weekly.

Flowering occurs about 90-120 days after planting, from December to March. They can be left in the ground for many years, but if necessary the corms can be dug 4 weeks after flowering and stored in a dry, airy place till next planting. Gladioli generally need to be protected from Aphids, Thrips and also Botrytis rot in wet weather.