Water weekly during hot, dry weather. Staking will be required in windy, exposed areas. Glads for decorative indoor use should be cut as soon as the bottom flower on the spike has opened. Most of the remaining blooms will open when the spike is brought indoors and placed in water. When cutting glads, leave at least 3 or 4 leaves at the base of the plant.
Early morning is the best time to cut flowers.
Remove all flower spikes on gladioli remaining in the garden as soon as the flowers have faded. Also continue to weed and water the area. When the leaves begin to turn yellow, the corms may be dug. Then dry and store the glads indoors in a cool, well-ventilated location. Iowa State University , Ames, Iowa.