How to Grow Gladiolus
Gladiolus corms look like oversized crocus corms. They have a brown fiber wrapper with a small flat bottom. Sometimes they already have pointy shoots showing at the top. Follow these growing tips to help with care of gladiolus:
Gladiolus prefer well-drained and even sandy soil. They also like sunny locations. You will want to plant the gladiolus deeper than usual because they have a tall sheaf of leaves. This will help anchor them against strong winds that might blow them over to the ground.
Gladiolus – How to Plant
With gladiolus, how to plant is just a few simple steps: Gladiolus are only completely hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11. In zones 6 to 7, they thrive if the bulbs are protected by a thick mulch throughout the winter. Proper care of gladiolus requires the use of fertilizer. As they come up, you can fertilize the new gladioli batches when you see the flower spikes start to show. After you pick the flowers, you can fertilize again. When you fertilize, just add the granules next to the flower, then scratch the soil with a cultivator to mix it a little.
How to Care for Gladiolus in the Winter
Rather than leaving the corms in the ground to winter, you can dig the corms up for storage four to six weeks after you pick the flowers. Gladiolus plants are a lovely addition to any garden. Knowing how to grow gladiolus and proper care of gladiolus will ensure that these delightful flowers will grow well in your garden.
