CULTIVATION OF GLADIOLI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 18

CULTIVATION OF GLADIOLI

The main requirements for the cultivation of gladioli are somewhat as follows, and are usually easily met in the average home garden. First, a good open position with plenty of sunshine —perhaps a bed in the lawn or such place, and next, and perhaps of equal importance, is good drainage. Given these two-conditions (writes S. J. Shearn in The Garden Lover) gladioli can be relied upon to give good results almost any time during their long flowering season, from November to May —I say almost for although if planted in succession gladioli will flower freely over this whole long period, yet during the mid-summer months there is always more or less risk of the blooms being spoiled by the hot winds, In passing, perhaps I might mention that I find that one of the best for standing the heat is “ Byron L. Smith.”

If your soil is poor or worn out with constant cropping, the addition of either organic or artificial manure will prove beneficial. If the former, cow manure dug in in the autumn, for spring planting is considered the best. Failing cow, mixed, or even horse manure is better than nothing, though in the latter case, particularly, care should be taken that it does not come into direct contact with the conns.

For several reasons, many people prefer artificial manures, of which there are several forms on the market made up in convenient packets with instructions as to use.and application. Practically all of these will be found to give good results, provided you water the ground thoroughly before and after application (in the case of artificial manure applied while plants are growing).

When planted in clumps (which should not be over-shadowed by any tall-grow-ing plants or trees), the corms about six to eight in number, should be placed about Bin to 10in apart every way, but when planted in rows for cut flowers, they may be planted about 3in apart in rows 18in to 2ft apart. The depth to plant varies with the type of soil; from about 2in in heavy soil to Gin in that of a very light, sandy nature.

As for staking—this is necessary with tall-growing varieties, and is best done at planting time, before the corms are covered, thus obviating the danger of damaging the corm or roots. The corms may be lifted a month to six weeks after flowers, or as soon as the leaves begin to lose their bright green colour.