Posts Tagged ‘ grow gladiolus bulbs ’

Spring is a most enjoyable time for gardening.  For the flower garden enthusiast, spring bulb planting, particularly gladiolus planting, is just as rewarding as the enjoyment of color when blooms are full.  Here are some key points to remember and practice as you begin your springtime bulb planting.

Remember, these plants are super sensitive to cold, so you must avoid planting too early.  Frost is detrimental and will most certainly damage young, tender growth.  For advice on when to plant gladiolus bulbs for your particular geographic area, you might consult with the Master Gardeners at your local Agricultural Extension Service.

Plan your garden and gladiolus bulb planting carefully.  Pay particular attention to colors and their combinations.  As you prepare your planting diagram, be sure to select gladiolus bulb varieties based on flower color and plant height.  A Gladiolus Mixed Border works well around the perimeter.  This mixture comes in a broad range of colors and plants are shorter than the standard size; making them ideal for garden perimeter designs.  Plan your map with various colors and sizes; White Angels, Tiny Tots, and Dwarfs add some variety.  If you aren’t interested in mapping out a detailed color plan for your garden, feel free to use an All America Mixture or perhaps a Gladiolus Mix.

It is important that you purchase your bulbs from a reputable supplier.  You should use only high quality bulbs; ones free of mushy bruises or soft spots.  Your local farm supply store is an excellent resource.  If you intend to shop online, consider BloomingBulb.com, they are currently offering a 30% discount on early spring orders.  One thing to consider; if you plan on your garden remaining in continuous bloom, be prepared to plant gladiolus bulbs every two weeks until mid-summer.

Plant gladiolus bulbs in an area that receives large amounts of sunlight.  As for the soil, make sure your preparation processes include adequate aeration and the inclusion of significant levels of organic matter.  Be sure the area is leveled so as to drain well and not pool water.

In order to properly plant gladiolus bulbs, prepare the holes 3 to 6 inches in depth, add bulb fertilizer, and place the larger corms at the deeper end.  Be sure to leave 2-4 inches between corms.  It is also beneficial to mix some of the fertilizer in the soil around the planting sites.  Be sure to place the bulb root side down in the hole making sure it is fixed adequately to the soil.  If you are unsure about the root end, note that the top is often cupped and you should be able to locate some of last years roots on the bottom.

Once you have everything planted, make sure you water the area thoroughly.  This provides adequate dissolution of the fertilizer and provides for hydration of the bulb for growth.

If you need a resource for your garden, vegetable or flower, keep BloomingBulb.com in mind.

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