Gorgeous & glad

Amarjeet  Batth

Gladiolus is also called “sword lily” as its leaves resemble a sword. It is a perennial corm (not bulb). Each flower on the spike is referred to as a floret. These florets are borne on the un-branched stem originating from the corm underneath the ground. The basal floret is the first to bloom and flowering moves upwards. A good single spike may carry 10-20 florets or even more depending upon the size of the corm and the variety of gladiolus. It takes this plant two to three weeks to complete the flowering cycle during the winter months

Time to sow

In the region, the corms are planted from September onwards. The early cut flower varieties start blooming from sixty days of planting and late blooming varieties take 85-90 days after planting. Corms planted during December-January take longer  to bloom.

Where to plant

These plant require ample sunlight therefore consider a sunny spot in your garden sheltered from strong winds.

Preparing flower beds

Gladiolus can survive in any type of well-drained soil, but prefer a loam soil. It is a heavy feeder thus requires rich soil with abundant organic matter. While preparing a flower bed mix matured and fully decomposed farm yard manure 2-3 kg and DAP @ 40 gram per sq meter along with 30 grams of potash in the soil. Avoid over manuring as it makes the spike too long and slender. If the soil texture is heavy plant them on raised beds else can be planted on flat flower beds.

Maintenance

In order to enjoy a healthy bloom, preferably alter the location every year. If it is not possible sterilise the soil to eliminate the soil borne diseases.

Irrigation

Gladiolus requires good moisture but it does not tolerate water logging. The soil must remain moist. Excessive watering causes rotting of corms. In general once a week deep irrigation is required. In winters it may be at a ten day interval.

Fertilisers

Apply urea @ 60 gram per sq meter at two and six-leaves stage.

Staking

It is not required if plants are grown closely or in clumps. If winds blow strong staking must be done else the spikes will break and fall.

Winter care

Low temperatures, especially frost, causes damage to the plant. Protect the plant by covering with plastic sheet or 'sarkanda'. In Dec-Jan, Gladiolus is prone to fungal attack. Low temperatures and high humidity promote 'Botrytis' fungus causing soaking of florets. Therefore a spray of Bavistin @ 2 gm/litre is effective.

Selection

Pick up ‘corms’ (bulbs) from a reliable source with crowned ranging from 8-10 cm of diameter and remove the dry scales to encourage sprouting. Dip the corms in a solution of a fungicide ‘Bavistin’ @ 0.2 or Captaf 0.3 % dissolved in one litre of water for an hour before planting.

Growing for home use

Corms are also sprouted before planting by burying them in a layer of moist sand. In home garden gladiolus corms are planted at row-to-row distance of 30 cm and corm-to -corm distance of 20 cm. These are placed 7 cm deep with the pointed end facing up. Cover the soil and press it firmly and water it.  After 30 days, plant another corm in between them so that when the first bloom is over the second bloom is ready. 

When the first bloom is over, replace the spent corm with another set of corms and repeat the process.

If planted with other flowers in borders or annual bed, plant the  corms in groups of 6-9 for effect.