Laurel outlook., 1950-04-26
Observation-Disclosures northumberland
Yard and Garden
By Leonard wager
Assistant Horticulturist
Montana Extension Service

6F'tt
Let's Plant Glads
The gladiolus is one of the mos
popular summer blooming bull
plants for the home garden. Witt
q choice of several varieties on,
can have blooms from late Jul!
until the first frosts in the fall.
Plant the bulbs" or corms about
the time the leaves are beginning
to open on trees. Select an open
sunny spot away from the roots Of
trees. Glads should also have pro-
lection from strong winds. Gladi-
olus will grow on many soil types
although a sandy loan is best suit
ed. Good drainage is essential. The
soil should be well prepared in adj
vance of planting. If the soil is
lacking in organic matter, incor-
porate some well-rotted manure
into it at the time of digging.
In order to reduce injury from
soil borne diseases and thrips, the
corms can be soaked with one of
a number of recommended pre-
planting dips. Those most COM
monty employed are lysol, seme-
san, new improved eresa and
corrosive sublimate. Information
on preparing these dips a be OBJ
tanned from the extension service
at BoZeman.
Gladiolus corms r generally
sold in six sizes. Large corms
range from IL inches in diameter
and up. Plant large corms four
inches deep in heavy soils and
about six inches deep in light soils.
Heavy soils tend to warm up slow
Ell in spring, so shallower planting
will hasten termination. If corms
IT not planted deep enough in
light soils, the plants are easily
blown over by strong winds. Plant
smaller corms shallower depending
on size.
Space rows about two to three
feet apart, and space the corms in
the row six to eight inches. Smaller
corms may be spaced closer, but do
not crowd them unduly as they
need sufficient space to develop a
good size CORN during the later
summer.
Commercial fertilizers are help
full in giving increased size of
blooms and of corms and in i'm
proving general growing condi-
tions. Use.a complete fertilizer or
fertilizer such as 10000 at the
of 5 to 10 pounds per 1000
square feet. Best place to put the
fertilizer is in a drill 2 to 8 inches
On either side of the corms and at
about the same level. Never place
the fertilizer in direct contact with
the corms.
Cutworms r a menace to young
gladiolus shoots. AS the first green
shoots appears, spread a poison
oait on a warm evening to control
Do this before the cut
have a chance to cause dam
age.
Frequent cultivation is important
keep down weeds and maintain
| dust mulch. However, do not cul-
ivate deeply as this destroys many
inc feeding roots of the gladiolus.
Once the plants r five to six
inches high, the gladiolus will re-
ipond to irrigation. Thorough wa
is necessary in order to be
beneficial as frequent light sprink-
ings with a hose can be harmful.
rrigations at about weekly inter-
'als if rainfall is scarce are neces-
airy if good, long spikes are to de-
'elop.
There are many varieties avail
BILE in a large range of colors. Diff
erent forms are also available to
uit the varying needs of the indi-
idual. The tiny primulinus vari-
ties are especially useful for flow
r arrangement and corsage work.
he large exhibition are grown for
lower shows, and can be arranged
or large vases and baskets. Be-
of scarcity, some varieties
expensive, but n does not
eed to buy the expensive mes in
rider to build up a collection of
God varieties with a wide range
f colors.