Introduction to the Gladiolus
Armed with more enthusiasm than knowledge, a gardener searching for a summer perennial that can produce gorgeous blossoms with minimal tender loving care is bound to be elated with the Gladiolus. After more than a century of experimentation, horticulturists today offer a wide selection of easy-to-grow all year round, colorful gladioli hybrids to guide an amateur.

Family and History Gladioli:
The genus Gladiolus, botanical name Gladiolus communis ssp.byzanthinus, belongs to the family Iridaceae. It is a perennial of 300 species, several native to Africa and few to the Mediterranean region and Europe. Greek mythology has an account of its origin in the story of Demeter, the Greek goddess of Harvest, and Erisichton, a wealthy merchant. Etymologically, the name is derived from the Latin word 'Gladius', which means 'sword' in reference to its sword-shaped leaves. It also is called the Sword lily, Glads and Corn lily. The Gladiolus is the flower of the month for August and symbolizes strength of character.

Originally, gladioli hybrids were developed from the Mediterranean species but those grown from African natives dominate the scene now. In the United States, the Gladiolus on its first appearance created such a sensation that an American Gladiolus Society was formed in Boston in 1910.

Description of The Gladioli:
The Gladioli grown in home gardens today have been developed from Gladiolus x hotlines, a complex collection of hybrids, cultivars and colors. The Gladiolus is a tall plant, its height ranging from 2 to 6 feet. Each plant bears six to eight leaves. These are longitudinally grooved and are surrounded by a sheath. Flowering occurs on spikes that do not branch but grow from bulb-like structures called corms. Blooms on the spikes are all on one side and one above the other, with each blossom being enclosed in two green bracts. Flowers bloom in all colors of the rainbow except true blue. There are also bi-colored and tri-colored blooms. Flowers are pollinated by moths, long-tongued flies, bees and sunbirds.

Popular Types of Gladioli
All Gladioli can be classified into two categories, the large flowered and miniature ones. The former are distinct for their color range and their plain, frilly, semi-ruffled and ruffled flowers. The miniatures have short spikes bearing small flowers.

Based on the diameter of flowers on the lowest part of a spike and their color intensity, gladioli can be categorized again. In this division, flowers fall into giant, large, medium, small and miniature sizes. The largest diameter size is 51/2 "' and the smallest is below 21/2''.
The range of the color intensity characteristic extends from pale to deep with many markers in between.

Tips for Growing Gladioli
Gladioli are grown from corms which are swollen underground stems storing food. Each corm is protected by dried papery leaf bases called husks. These overlap to form a pointed top from which the buds develop. Every year, a new corm is grown and the old one dies.

Soil Requirements for Growing Gladioli
Gladiolus can be grown on all well-draining soil types, preferred being sandy loam. Soil pH should be between 6 and 6.5. Poorly draining soil can be corrected by adding sawdust, compost and peat moss or by raising the beds.

Light Requirements for Growing Gladioli
It requires full sun and is not shade-friendly.

Fertilizing Gladioli
For every 100 square feet of space, 2 lbs of fertilizer like 5-10-5 needs to be added. Before planting Gladioli, the fertilizer should be mixed well with the soil. A side dressing is also required during growth.

Watering Gladioli
Gladioli need heavy watering throughout their growth period and flowering time especially in a dry season.

Planting Season For Gladioli
Corms can be planted a month before the last frost is expected. To ensure a long flowering season, corms can be planted every two weeks from Spring till the beginning of July.

Planting Gladioli
Dig holes 4" - 6'' deep for large corms, 3" - 4'' deep for medium-sized ones, and 2" - 3'' deep for small ones. Trench planting, maintaining a distance of 2" - 3" between each corm, and 20'' - 36'' between rows is recommended. Weeding can be reduced to a minimum by mulching. Pest attack by grasshoppers, thrips, cucumber beetles and aphids can be controlled with help from local county pest control agents.

Spikes can be held erect and tall by staking or by hilling soil around the plant.
Depending on climate and variety, flowering takes 70 to 90 days after planting.
Glads are primarily grown for their beautiful flowers which can be cut when they open at the base of the spike with their mid section showing color and the top holding buds. Six weeks after the blooming period, corms can be dug out carefully, cleaned and after a short spell of open air drying, stored in a well-ventilated place.

During summer, Gladioli look great in containers, as borders and as large mass plantings outdoors. One can also use them indoors on all occasions; the cut flower displays are an exquisite treat to the eyes!

If you like Gladioli....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory