What Do I Do With Gladiola Bulbs in the Fall?

Digging Out

• In fall, gently dig out corms with a fork or spade after frost but before the soil freezes. Gently shake off all loose soil and throw away any damaged, poorly developed or diseased corms. Cut the plant off 1 to 2 inches above the saved corms. You'll be able to see the old corm directly underneath the new corm. Small, pea-sized corms, called cormels, frequently form around the base of new corms. They can be cut off, stored and planted but require two to three years to bloom, according to the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service.

Curing

• Corms are stored dry for the winter. In a process known as curing, corms are spread out on a tray and placed in a location with good air circulation, sun and no moisture for a couple of days until dried. However, for the best results, the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service recommends keeping the corms in a location with temperatures between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, for an additional two to three weeks. The corms must be spread out in an area where the temperature remains constant; otherwise, condensation will form on the corms, increasing the potential for disease. When the corms have finished drying, the old corms should be removed by breaking them off from the new corms and discarded.

Disease Prevention

• While they were still underground, disease-producing fungi, which cause rot in corms or limit a plant's growth, could have infected the corms. Before storing, place corms in a paper bag with a fungicide intended for bulbs and shake vigorously, following the product's instructions.

Storage

• For winter storage, place the corms in a container that allows air to circulate, such as a paper bag with holes, a wooden tray with a screen bottom or an old onion sack. For the best air circulation, hang bags and sacks. The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service recommends placing corms in a dry area with no pests and temperatures between 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a basement or garage. Move corms to another location if there is any chance of freezing. Check for black or soft corms during the winter, which are signs of rot and need to be thrown away.

Planting

• Corms have pointy tips, which is where the new plant will grow the following spring. In spring, after any danger of freezing frost has passed, plant corms, tip up in a location with moist, well-draining soil that receives at least six to eight hours of sun daily. Till the soil well before planting the corms. Corms are generally planted at a depth equal to two to three times their diameter, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.