THE GLADIOLUS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 93, 13 January 1939, Page 16

THE GLADIOLUS

Need For Removing Faded Blooms In considering this Question, you have to remember that the most important part of a gladiolus, from the gardener’s standpoint, is the bulb. Without it you can have no flowers.

Every attention,,therefore, must be given with an eye to the welfare of the bulb. Is it of any further use, or will you have to throw it away when bedclearing time comes? The bulb you actually planted is or no further value. It is now wizening, having emptied its reserve into the flower. But another bulb is forming near it, and this will, if your treatment is correct, enlarge considerably during the next few weeks and form a fine flowering bulb for another year. The prompt removal of the faded ■flower spike has am intimate bearing on its chances. If the spike is allowed to remain and run to seed, the nutriment that should go toward developing the new bulb will be wasted in the seed pods. You must, therefore, remove tjie spike as soon as the flowers fade. Quite apart from the welfare of the young bulbs, there is the appearance of your garden to consider. Nothing has a more untidy effect that a lot of shabby gladiolus spikes. With a sharp knife, cut through the steam immediately beneath the bottom faded bloom, and allow the unflowered basal part to ripen and wither away naturally, which it will quickly do.