How to grow Gladiolus and it’s impotance?

Introduction

• Gladiolus hybrids

• Most common hybrids  ‘Gladiolus ×

grandiflorus’

• Derived from Latin word ‘Gladius’ (Sword).

• ‘Sword Lily’

• Member of family ‘Iridaceae’

• Genus Gladiolus contains approx. 200 species.

• Origin  South Africa

• Geophytes  Plants grown from underground

modified stems

o Bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, stolons etc.

Importance

• 2nd most popular flower in

Pakistan (after roses).

• Included in top ten cut

flowers of the world.

• Can be grown as:

o Cut flower

o Bedding plant/ border plant

o Potted plant.

Soil and climate

• All types of soil (with good

structure, texture, and

drainage) are Okay.

• Sandy loam soils are

preferable.

• If heavy soils:

o apply OM

o Grow on raised beds or

ridges

• If lighter soils:

o Use mulching

• Optimum pH  6-7

• Gladiolus can be grown in wide

range of climatic conditions.

• In Pakistan, can be produced year

round.

• Light is most important for

flowering.

• Optimum temperature  10-25°C

o Below 10°C, growth is delayed.

o Can not tolerate freezing or over 30°C.

o Above 30C, shorter spikes with

smaller floret diameter are

produced.

o Also have shorter vase life when

grown above 30C

• Humidity should be high if

temperature goes beyond 30°C.

Light

• Important to initiate flowering.

• If grown in winter (low light):

o Use bigger corm size

o Grow less light-sensitive cultivars

o Use less planting density

o Avoid shady areas.

o Use good rooting substrate

o Do not grow in greenhouse with dirty glass or sheet.

Propagation

• Propagation method

o Division of corms

• Corms are underground,

compressed, round stems which

have buds to grow into new plants.

• Propagation Time

o After harvesting flowers and

yellowing/drying of leaves.

Corm selection

• Corm size selection

depends on:

o Growing conditions (light and temp.)

o Planting time

• Larger corms would

produce:

o Taller and firmer plants with heavy

spikes

o More uniform production

o Early flowering

o More than one stems per corm.

• Smaller corms would:

o Delay production

o Small spikes and floret size.

Planting

• Planting methods

o Ridges (2-2.5 ft wide) (if flood irrigation)

o Beds (if drip irrigation)

• Planting Time

o Late August to November (Plains)

o March-April (Hilly areas)

• Plant density

o Greatly affect flower production

o Approx. 60,000 corms/acre

o P-P 3-4” (8-10 cm)

o R-R 2.0-2.5 ft (60-75 cm)

o Planting depth  8-10 cm

• At planting, soil should be moist, but not wet.

• Treat corms with fungicide before planting.

Fertilization

Fertilization depends on:

o Soil fertility

o Soil pH

o Precipitation

o Plant density

o Plant growth stage

• Avoid use of FYM.

• Fertilization may be

done at:

o Time of soil preparation

o Delayed until emergence

• Do not use heavy

fertilization on gladiolus.

Irrigation

• Require plenty of water

• Irrigation time depends on:

o Climatic conditions

o Crop growth stage

• Drip irrigation is best

• Do not use sprinkler

irrigation

• Use good quality water

• Deficiency of water may lead

to poor flower development

and shorter spikes.

• Apply irrigation at:

o Planting

o Initiation of spikes

o Floret development.

Earthing up

• Covering up the corms and the root

system to support the stems.

• Done when soil is heavy and deep

planting is not possible.

• Minimize lodging.

• Maximize corm and cormel

development.

• Eradicate weeds.

• Practiced when plants reach 2-3 leaf

stage (at 20-30 cm plant height)

Weed Control

• Use soil disinfection prior to

planting which will also kill

most weed seeds.

• If not practiced, use Round up

(Glyphosate) a couple of

months before planting.

• Apply pre-emergence

herbicide (Dual Gold or

stomp) before or immediately

after planting.

• Apply herbicide on moist soil.

Harvest& Handling

• Harvesting should be done when

lowermost bud starts showing

color.

• Generally, cultivars are ready for

harvest after 70-110 days.

• Harvesting should be done leaving

2-3 pairs of leaves for development

of corms and cormels.

• Harvest with sharp knife in

morning or evening.

• Place in buckets containing water

after harvest.

• Place the stems vertically until marketing.

Digging, Cleaning & Grading of Corms

• Corms are dug when:

o Leaves start yellowing/drying out.

o Half of cormels turn brown

o Approx. 30-45 d after harvest of flowers.

• Plenty of moisture before lifting would ensure big

corm development.

• When leaves start yellowing, stop irrigation.

• Check for any disease and discard infected corms.

• Clean all debris and cormels and treat with 0.5-1%

fungicide.

• Grade on the basis of corm size.

Annuals

• Ornamental flowering plants which

grow, produce flowers and seeds

and killed by extreme weather in a

season.

• Two major groups:

o Winter annuals (Snapdragon, stock, dahlia, dianthus,

pansy etc.)

o Summer annuals (Zinnia, portulaca, gaillardia,

sunflower etc.)

o Another small group called ‘Monsoon annuals’

(Celosia, cock’s comb)

Uses

• Annuals are grown for:

o Diversity of color and growth habit

o Aesthetic beautification

o Quick and inexpensive display of colors

in beds and borders

o Potted flower production

o Specialty cut flower production

o Flower drying and value addition

(essential oil extraction)