Greetings, dedicated cultivator. I am the Gladiolus, a stately presence in your summer garden, often called the 'sword lily' for my blade-like foliage. To ensure I deliver my magnificent spires of blooms season after season, my needs change with the sun's journey. Follow this calendar, written from my perspective, to become my most trusted steward.
As the soil warms and the frosty grip of winter recedes, it is time for my corms to awaken. Do not rush; I am vulnerable to cold, damp earth. Plant me only when the soil is workable and has reached a steady 55°F (13°C), typically about two weeks before your last expected frost date. Choose a site drenched in sunlight with well-draining soil. Place me about 4-6 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart, with the pointed end facing skyward. This depth anchors me against summer winds and provides a stable base for my tall flower spikes. Water me thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around my corm and encourage root development.
This is my season to shine! As I send up my leaves and begin to form my flower spike, my thirst increases. Provide me with about 1 inch of water per week, more if the weather is exceptionally hot and dry. Soak the soil deeply to encourage my roots to grow downward. When my flower spike first emerges from the foliage, I would be grateful for a feeding. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus will give me the energy to produce the largest, most vibrant blooms. As I bloom, you may cut my spikes for glorious indoor arrangements, but always leave at least four leaves on the plant. They are my solar panels, crucial for gathering energy for next year's performance.
My blossoms have faded, but my work is not done. This period is critical. Please resist the urge to cut back my foliage while it is still green. I am now in the process of photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight and nutrients to store energy in my corm for the winter and next year's growth. Allow my leaves to yellow and die back naturally. This process tells me that it is time to become dormant. In warmer zones (USDA 8 and above), you may leave me in the ground with a protective layer of mulch. In colder zones, once the foliage has yellowed or after the first light frost, it is time to lift me from the soil.
For those in colder regions, carefully lift my corms from the ground with a garden fork. Gently brush off the soil and cut the stem back to about an inch above the corm. Allow me to cure (dry) for 2-3 weeks in a warm, well-ventilated place. Once dry, break away the old, shriveled corm from the base of the new, healthy one you've grown this season. Dust me with a fungicide bulb dust to prevent rot and store me in a mesh bag or a box of peat moss or vermiculite. My ideal winter home is a dark, dry, and cool place with temperatures between 35-45°F (2-7°C). Check on me periodically, discarding any corms that show signs of softening or decay.
