Comments on: Gladiolus

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:59:12 +0000

Can the new cormets be planted inside to help them grow? would they be plantable the next year?

By: Carol Ann

Carol Ann — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:13:53 +0000

Hardy zone for glads
I live in Arkansas and planted glads for the first time this year and they did ok, although not alot of flowers. I love them but have decided I want to move them to a different location. I can dig up and move now (Sept) or do I have to dig up and store the bulbs? What’s the worst thing you can do to bulbs when you are storing them?

Hi Carol Ann
Gladiolus are hardy in zone 7-8 and Ark. is in zone 7 so they can be replanted to a different location in the fall after the foliage starts to turn yellow. You don’t have to store them. The worst thing you can do to gladiolus corms is to freeze them, expose them to ethylene gas or dry out.

By: Yari

Yari — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:58:25 +0000

Hello…I planted my gladiolus, they grew, and now they are not blooming, i have noticed that where the flowers were at it is growing something, but not sure what. I’m not certain if I have to cut it..and if I do, where do i have to cut it…how far from the ground should I cut the stem?…Thank you I appreciate your help!

Hi Yari
You may have some seeds where the flowers were. You should not cut the gladilolus foliage back. Let it die back (turn brown) and if you live in a colder climate dig up the corms. Dry them and store in a cool, dark place for the winter.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:47:06 +0000

Hello,
I live in Indianapolis and my gladiolis have finished blooming. Some are looking quite brown and I was wondering if I could go ahead and cut them all back and dig up the bulbs. I want to relocated them in another place next spring. Will they survive if I take them out now?

HI Kelly
When the leaves turn brown you can dig your gladilolus up. See above article for winter storage.

By: Ginny Kane

Ginny Kane — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:45:14 +0000

Any suggestions to make the dying leaves less unattractive in my garden? It is August in zone 6 here, and all the yard high leaves are laying on the ground and are brown at the bottom. I had beautiful flowers a few weeks back. Thank you.

Hi Ginny
You can remove the brown leaves but the green ones are making corms and cormels and should be allowed to “dieback”. Gladiolus are usually relegated to the back of the garden/flower bed. Plant some sun loving plants such as phlox, dahlias, cannas in front of them to “hide” the dying foliage.

By: Ginny Kane

Ginny Kane — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:38:56 +0000

Can glads be grown from seed? If so how?

HI Ginny
Glads are easier and faster to grow from cormels (tiny corms that form at the base of the corm). Mature seeds should be collected in late summer and freshly sown for best germination. If not store seeds in paper bags at 41F in the frig. over winter and then sow in early spring. Sprinkle seeds on well drained soil mix and cover with a fine layer of soil mix. Keep at temperatures of 68-75F (20-24C). Germination should take place in 3-6 weeks. Glads started from seeds may not be true to the original plant.

By: Skye

Skye — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:15:16 +0000

Hello…quick question. Can you tell me what the “buds” appear to be that are growing out of where all the gladiola’s flowers were? Much appreciated… Thanks from Staten Island, NY

Hi Skye
The “buds” are seed capsules.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:04:30 +0000

after my gladiolus blooms die, should i pull off the dead blooms or cut the stalk?

Hi Jennifer
You can remove the dead blooms starting from the bottom of the stalk and continuing upward as they die. Once all the blooms are spent, cut off the stalk when it turns yellow/brown and let the foliage continue to grow so that they can replenish the bulbs.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:37:28 +0000

I purchased gladioli bulbs last winter and kept them in my basement. When I took them out, they looked very dried out, possibly dead. A friend told me to soak them in water for a day or two - is there any want to tell if the bulb is dead?

Cut one corm in half. If the corm is discolored, brown and shriveled then its dead. They should be firm, a creamy color inside with no marks or blemishes.

By: Paula Peters

Paula Peters — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:24:10 +0000

I live in southwestern Ohio and I want to plant a large whiskey barrel ( well dried out of whiskey ) of gladiolus, is this possible?

Yes, you can plant gladiolus in a container. They should grow well well, just be sure to give them some type of support when they get tall.