When to Plant Gladiolus Corms?
Gladiolus, often called "glads," grows from bulb-like structures called corms. The flowers grow on the thick stems and open in succession, beginning at about the middle of the stem. As the blooms are spent, more open higher up the stem. Does this Spark an idea?
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Planting Time
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Begin planting gladiolus just after the date of your last frost, which could damage or kill the plant. Make successive plantings at one- or two-week intervals until the end of summer and into early fall. Use early, mid-season and late varieties in each planting for a long growing season.
Lifting
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Lift the corms in early to mid-autumn. The foliage will die after a frost and the corms will become dormant. Dig them up and cut off the stems. Store in a warm, dry place for three weeks, then move them to a cool, dry place, ideally at 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Paper bags are ideal for storing the corms. Do not let the corms freeze.
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New Plants
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Save the little corms that are attached to the main corm when you lift the plants in the fall. Plant them the next spring and let them grow over the summer. After two or three years, they will begin blooming, making this an inexpensive way to increase your supply of corms.
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