Expert: Long Island Gardener - 4/3/2007

Question
Hi,
I live in Staten Island and recently planted gladiola bulbs. Unfortunately, the package didn't tell me when or how long they take to come up.I was also wondering if I planted them correctly I placed them 6 in apart with the root end down.  Can u let me know if this is ok and what other things should I know about bulbs.  Thank you

Answer
You can start planting your Glads as soon as you can get a shovel in the ground -- maybe even now.  People generally plant these in waves.  As one set opens, another is sprouting.  They do this all summer long.  You need space, but there are bouquets nonstop.  If you are so inclined, expect to be planting these every 10 days to 2 weeks.

Tips and tricks:  Gladiolas need a lot TLC.  They're not as disease prone as, say, Roses, but they suffer from any competition -- neighboring perennials, annuals placed too close, weeds.  Instead of getting down on your hands and knees to yank out weeds all summer in the hot sun, you can "cultivate" with a hand fork every day.  By scattering and disturbing germinating weed seeds, you keep them from ever -- excuse the pun -- getting off the ground.

If you read up on 'expert' growing of these garden favorites, you'll read a lot of advice about treating them for Fungus and avoiding disease by spraying this that and the other thing.  I have never had trouble with any Gladiolus disease and I don't ever plan to.  Keeping the balance of Nature in your soil will keep all pathogens from erupting into something to worry about.  That goes for your lawn, your Roses and everything else you might be growing near those Glads.  Less is more.  And healthier.

Don't forget to drop a handful of bonemeal into the hole with each of those Glads.  If you keep these in the
ground, and you Mulch them in autumn, and pick a sunny location for them to grow and bloom, you have a good chance of seeing them again in spring even though these are technically not supposed to be hardy in New York.  Neat, huh?

If you happen to see stakes on sale, buy a bunch of them.  You'll need them if you're going to be growing these.  Don't forget twine to attach them, or you can use green twist-ties.  They take getting used to, but virtually disappear when it's time to bloom.  Besides, you don't want to feel the chagrin of a gardener who put off the staking and a thunderstorm sneaked up and blew over the blooms into a mudpuddle.  I learned the hard way.

These are irresistable and so colorful.  I think you're going to love them.  Piece of cake.

Keep me posted.  Any questions, I'm here.  Thanks for writing.