Gladiolus bulbs are easy to plant and care for, and they will add bright color to the garden in the summer months. They are actually corms, not bulbs, but the process for planting and caring for them is similar to that seen with true bulbs. Gardeners should start establishing gladioli in the spring so they will have time to develop by the summer months.
These plants are very forgiving of a variety of soil types. They tend to prefer sandy to loamy soil, but can be grown in more heavy soils as long as the gardener works them with organic materials like straw to loosen up the soil. It is also advisable to work in some fertilizer to promote healthy growth. While preparing soil for gladiolus bulbs, gardeners should seek out a sunny to partially shady area of the garden. The bulbs do not take up very much room and require minimal attention once they are in the ground.
Before planting, it is a good idea to check each corm for signs of rot, mold, and other problems. The corms should look healthy before planting and must be established stem up before being gently sprinkled with soil to cover. Gladiolus bulbs also like a moderate watering after planting to moisten the soil, and mulch can help keep the soil moist, creating optimal conditions for growth. Mulch will also keep down weeds, reducing the need to weed around the bulbs.
As gladiolus bulbs start to sprout, stakes or other supports should be set out to support the stems. They can start to get heavy without support and may fall over. Gardeners can also simply cut the stems as they start to get too tall and heavy, taking them indoors as fresh cut flowers. When the blooming season is over and the foliage has died back in the fall, gardeners can dig the corms back up, wash them, allow them to dry completely, and then store them in a well ventilated area. Old nylon stockings can be perfect for storage, as gardeners can pack bulbs in and hang them in a shed, allowing air to move around the bulbs to prevent rot.
Gardeners who want to get the most out of gladiolus bulbs may want to consider planting them on a staggered schedule so they will bloom throughout the summer, rather than all at once. It is also possible to grow these corms in large containers indoors, for gardeners who want to force winter blooming or who find digging up seasonal bulbs inconvenient. The containers can be brought inside during the winter to protect the bulbs from frost, and brought back out again in spring to start growing. Every two to three years, it will be necessary to dig out and separate the corms so they do not get too crowded.