How to Germinate Gladiolus

Germinating From Corms

• 1

  Dig up entire gladiolus plants in fall after they finish their summer blooming season. Using your pointed shovel, carefully dig 4 to 6 inches around the base of each plant to ensure you do not injure the underground corm.

• 2

  Rinse the soil off the underground portion you have dug up, which will allow you to see the corm and any cormels (small corms). You can also cut the upper foliage off the pulled plant to make working with the root section easier.

• 3

  Cut or carefully break off all small cormels from the larger corm.

• 4

  Store all cormels and larger corms in a cool, dry, dark area all winter. Replant them in spring.

Germinating From Seeds

• 5

  Allow gladiolus flowers to remain on the plant until they form seedpods. Wait until the pods appear brown or dry and then remove the many small seeds by slicing them open with a knife and shaking the pod over a sheet of newspaper.

• 6

  Fill one or more nursery flats with a light potting mix that contains vermiculite or perlite. Water well until water runs from the drainage holes.

• 7

  Scatter seeds on top of the soil in late winter or early spring and then cover the surface with a small amount of potting mix.

• 8

  Water again and then place your flat(s) in a warm area that receives full sun. A constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit is needed to germinate gladiolus seeds. Keep the soil constantly moist until after the seeds germinate, which can take one month or longer.