GLADS ARE EASY TO GROW
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Plant only clean, plump gladiolus corms (also known as bulbs). Here in the valley, foothills, and Bay Area, plant a few glad corms every week or two, from late January through early April. That way, there will always be a gladiolus in bloom throughout the warm weather months.
Plant gladiolus corms three to five inches deep and from four to six inches apart, with the tip side facing upwards.
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Water regularly while they are growing or blooming, perhaps once a week. Water twice a week during heat waves.
Weed by shallow cultivation and hand weeding. A three inch layer of mulch of bark, straw, leaves, grass clippings, etc., between rows will discourage weeds and help conserve moisture.
To get the most enjoyment of glads as a cut flower indoors, cut off the flowering stalk when the lowest buds begin to open. Be sure to keep at least four leaves on the plant to allow the corm to renew itself for the following year.
At the end of the season, cut off the stem just below the lowest flower buds. This keeps the energy from the leaves flowing towards the corm, not to seed production.
GLADIOLUS CAN GET BUGGED
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These tiny (less than 1/20th of an inch long) creatures scrape away the plant tissue, suck the juice and lay their eggs inside. Control thrips with a blast of water from the hose or insecticidal soap. Healthy plants can outgrow thrip damage.
CAN YOU DIG IT? YES, BUT NOT EVERY YEAR
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It is suggested that you dig and divide your corms every couple of years in the fall, being sure to discard any damaged or diseased corms.
The plant should be separated from the corm as close to the corm as possible, either by hand breaking or cutting with pruning shears.
Store any lifted corms in a cool, dry place, in single layers in a flat or ventilated tray. Then, replant those corms the following February or March.
This is my first time growing black walnut gladiolus. I planted the bulbs a few months ago and I've got nice long green stronge green leaves but I'm wondering when it's going to flower?
ReplyDeleteI also did this a few months ago, and have yet to see the flowers. I just hope they come before it gets cold.
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