Gladioli

Hi, I was lucky enough to be bought some Gladioli bulbs from Holland the other day but I would like to know the best conditions to plant them in, how deep in the ground and at what time in the year to plant them if anyone can help? Do they need any support e.t.c. too?

Thanks

 

They need rich well drained soil in a sunny spot. Some people put a bed of sharp sand or gravel underneath them when planting. It depends on the nature of you soil, mine is well drained so I do not need to.
Planting depths are generally reckoned to be such that you have three times the height of the bulb of soil above the top of the bulb. So a 3 cm. bulb would have 9 cms of soil above it. Gladioli are better planted a little deeper than some things though, especially in a light soil. In clay they could be shallower
Time of year again depends on where you live. In warmer parts of the world you can begin planting in mid March through to mid April.
If you are growing for cut flowers in the kitchen garden as some do, then each plant needs staking individually. In the ordinary garden where you tend to plant in groups then all I do is put a stake in the middle and loosely tie round. Smaller ones in sheltered gardens do not really need staking.