HOW TO GROW GLADIOLI

Summer colour year after year - wide range of colours and stunning impact from mid-summer. An ideal cut flower, they look as good indoors as out.

Cultural Requirements

Position

• Sunny
• Sheltered
• North facing ideal
• In warm areas plant May - September
• In cold areas plant August - December

Soil

• Must be well drained
• Dig deeply
• Add organic compost and Tui Bulb Food
• Can also be grown in pots and containers - use Tui Bulb Mix or Dalton's Premium Potting Mix. Approx. 6 corms to a 20cm terracotta pot
• Give weekly applications of Yates Thrive Liquid Flower and Fruit during period when flower stalks are forming as new corms are developing at the same time

Watering

Keep well watered through growing period, especially in drier periods.

Planting

• With basal plate downwards
• 10cm deep, 15-20cm apart
• Plant in groups rather than rows
• Staking necessary to protect from wind damage
• Position stake at time of planting to avoid damage to bulbs

Pests and Diseases

Thrips
Small rasping insect which causes silvering of leaves and dark specks on underside of leaves. Spray with Mavrik or Groventive.

Rust 
Yellow-orange mottled areas on upper surface of some leaves, some yellow-orange pustules on undersides. Spray with FreeFlo Copper.

Virus

• Symptoms do not show up until flowering
• Flowers develop streaks and broken colour
• Destroy infected plants