A glad, by any other name, is a spectacular, showy flower grown extensively in the home garden. Here in rural southwestern Ontario the Mennonites and Amish add long rows of glads to their kitchen gardens. The gladioli are cut in full bloom, in August or September, stacked in a bucket of cool well water, and offered for sale on the honor system at the end of the farm lane. As you drive by, the country road is like a fine art painting splashed by vibrant streaks of color, with bunches of tall stemmed gladioli in vivid reds, yellows and purples, or delicate pastels, decorating the entrance to every farm.
Growing glads can be a bit tricky in northern climes, where frost dates dictate when to plant the corms and when to pull them up again in the fall - but these gorgeous blooms are well worth the extra attention.
Stagger your plantings, setting out groups of corms two weeks apart to extend the growing and cutting season of these glorious flowers.
Beginners Guide To Planting Gladiolas
by Lee Dobbins
When to Plant
Planting Gladiolas is a popular gardening project. The beautiful summer bulbs are colorful and brighten
up any garden. However, they are not just for gardens, they also
work great for a bouquet of flowers for your home or even a
gift. Gladiolas require a great deal of care and a keen
watchful eye.
Gladiolas thrive when specific conditions are met. They love
humidity and warmer regions. They require consistent water and
a well-tilled, rich soil. When should you plant gladiolas?
Well, it depends on where you live. Check the package of your
corm bulb and determine which zone you live in. Typically, when
planting gladiolas, you plant the corm bulbs during the spring
season, when any threat of frost has passed.
Gladiolas are extremely sensitive to any type of frost. Therefore, planting should wait until frost has passed and if you live in an area in which frost is a regular occurance, you will need to dig up the bulbs during the fall months, before the first frost, and store them in your home. For warmer,
frost-free areas of the world, you can leave your gladiolas in
the ground during the winter months.
Where to plant
You want to make sure that you choose an area of your yard that
receives maximum sunlight. Full sun is best, however, if you
cannot get away from a partial shade, your gladiolas will still
grow. When determining which area of your yard to plant in, make
sure the soil is moist, but with good drainage.
When planting several gladiolas at once, ensure that you leave
about four to six inches of space between corm bulbs. The more
space you give your plant the bigger your plant will grow,
giving you awesome gladiolas during the summer.
Care and Information
You can expect to start seeing blooms in about three months or less after planting the corms. Your stems may need some support
during the growth period, therefore, you may want to consider
staking them up to keep them perky and tall.
Gladiolas come in a variety of colors and you can generally
expect blooms between July and September each year. They have
an average height of anywhere from forty to sixty inches and
are perfect for use in your home, cut flowers, or even as
borders around your home or landscape.
About The Author: Lee Dobbins writes for backyard-garden-and-patio.com where you can learn about gardening and find out more about planting gladiolas.
My glads came up beautiful, but now all of the flowers have died off and in there place there is a pod about the diameter of a quarter. Does anyone know what that is?
Johnny
Aug 19, 2009 - 07:17
Hello,
You may have a problem with thrip. see the post i left for Ruthann from Indiana. (When it gets approved)
Ruthann Graeber – N.W. Indiana
Aug 18, 2009 - 16:57
My glads seem to be prone to shriveling up (the blooms) only the last 2 yrs. Is there such a thing as thrips that can ruin the blooms?I've never had a problem in the last 20 yrs.!
Reply to Ruthann Graeber
Johnny
Aug 19, 2009 - 07:13
Yes, thrip can wipe out a whole crop. I had thrip kill foliage on over 400 i had planted 2 yrs ago. I use a product called Seven; i use powder before planting and after cleaning in the fall. During the growing period i use Seven liquid in a bottle that connects to the garden house. Haven't had a problem yet.
Muriel Hintz – Asheville NC
Jun 28, 2009 - 00:10
You may have purchased corms that are too small to produce bloom especially if you purchased "bargain" priced corms.
This is the way flower catalogs often sell their stock. I have been taken in by this a couple of times and have waited 2 to 3 years for flowers.
The bulbs are not duds, just leave them alone and they will bloom eventually and increase each year, as they produce baby corms you will get stalks that will not bloom among the blooming stalks.
I live near the Blue Ridge Parkway and have great glads, I never dig them up unless they get crowded. Good Luck.
Amanda – Midland, Ontario, Canada
Jun 21, 2009 - 12:42
This is the First time I have planted glads (or anything). Since we have very cold winters should I dig them up in the fall and replant in the spring?
Liz – Middle Tennessee
Apr 06, 2009 - 09:22
My glads have been absolutely incredible the past two years. Every year they come back in the spring and quadruple. I have never had to stake them because they stand straight up throughout the entire blooming process. I bought my Glads bulbs at dollar general 2 years ago for $2 and I usually kill everything! :) They seem to be a pretty hardy plant with an amazing flower! Good luck to all of you and your glads.
Ahmed Jan – Quetta Pakistan
Jul 16, 2008 - 04:19
Hi,
I have been involve in growing Glads since 2007 and wants to grow them with out fertilizers and chemical as Organic so what organic manures i can use and what is life of seeds,what other flowers/vegetables I can grow as intercropping please help me
Sara – North Carolina piedmont
Jun 24, 2008 - 23:02
I planted gladiolas last spring and have never gotten any of them to bloom. The green tall leaves come up last year and this year, but no blooms. They are planted in various full and part shade places around the yard too. Is there anything I can do, or are all the bulbs duds?
Thanks in advance.
Reply to Sara
Terry – NC - foothills
Jul 17, 2008 - 05:00
Hi Sara!
Have you received any comments concerning your problem? I have searched the internet and you are the first person I have found that has the same problem I have experienced with my glads.
Thanks!
Plant your first gladiolus corms when the soil is warm enough to plant sweet corn.
Plant only plump, clean corms from a reputable supplier. Smaller corms may produce a smaller flower or just leaves and no flower at all.
Plant corms three to five inches deep and from four to six inches apart.
Mulch lightly around glads, or between rows, to deter weeds.
Glads are prone to break in the wind. When blooming begins, hill the soil about six inches up around the stem to help support the heavy flower growth. Staking is also recommended.
Lift corms in the fall and break or snip off the stalk as close to the corm as possible. Clean off the corms and rinse with water to remove all the soil. Dry corms for two weeks, then store in mesh or paper bags in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.
The North American Gladiolus Council offers excellent advice on the cultivation of glads, plus a beautiful photo gallery and a list of local Gladiolus Societies throughout Canada, America and Britain.
Gladiolas thrive when specific conditions are met. They love
humidity and warmer regions. They require consistent water and
a well-tilled, rich soil. When should you plant gladiolas?
Well, it depends on where you live. Check the package of your
corm bulb and determine which zone you live in. Typically, when
planting gladiolas, you plant the corm bulbs during the spring
season, when any threat of frost has passed. 
Where to plant 
You can expect to start seeing blooms in about three months or less after planting the corms. Your stems may need some support
during the growth period, therefore, you may want to consider
staking them up to keep them perky and tall. 
