Gladiolus

Gladiolus prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Add compost and moderate fertilizer before planting, and stake tall flower spikes where wind might bend them.

Sun

Full sun

Water

1 in/week

Spacing

6 in

First harvest

70–90 from corm

Tips

• Plant corms 4-6 inches deep and about 6 inches apart after the soil warms, repeating plantings every two weeks for successive bloom.
• Provide about 1 inch of water weekly during growth and keep moisture steady as flower spikes develop.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer according to its label when shoots are established and avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Inspect flowers and leaves for thrips and discard badly infested corms rather than saving them.
• Cut spikes when the lowest florets open, leaving at least four leaves, and lift and cure corms before winter where they are not hardy.