Gladioli Corns Must Be Lifted In Autumn

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 99, 29 April 1939, Page 14 (Supplement)

Gladioli Corns Must Be Lifted In Autumn

THE question is often raised as to whether it is necessary to lift gladioli corms after flowering. It is necessary in the case of the large-flowered and primulinus hybrids. In its natural state, the gladioli is not lifted, but continues to carry on year after year, although, as it seeds freely, just how long a gladioli conn lasts in a state of nature is more or less doubtful. However, we must, understand that the majority of gladioli grown in our gardens are not species, but hybrids with a. mixed percentage, and the result is that if we wish to keep them true to type it is necessary to lift and replant them after each flowering. If they *re left in the ground, the corms die out with disease or deteriorate so quickly that in & year or so the flowers are unrecognisable as the original variety. Most of the species do all right if left in year after year, also the early flowering colvellii and its varieties, but as a general rule it must be considered an essential part of gladioli growing to lift and clea.n the corms after each flowering season.