Growth Stages of Gladiolus

Planting

• Gladiolus flowers originate from corms, a bulb-like root. Gardeners plant corms during April or May. Gladiolus corms prefer full sunlight and well-drained for the best growth, according to the University of Minnesota Extension program. Raised beds are necessary for gladiolus plants growing in regions with moist soil. After planting the first row of corms, gardeners continue plant new corms every other week from May to mid-June. Constant planting ensures the growth of gladiolus flowers throughout the summer and early autumn.

Summer Development

• After being planted in the spring, gladiolus plants grow and produce flowers during the ensuing summer. According to the University of Missouri's Extension program, all gladiolus plants fall under one of five categories. A gladiolus corm's size determines the height of the plant at maturity. The smallest gladiolus corms are in the 100 category (under 2 1/2 inches), while the largest are in the 500 class (over 5 1/2 inches tall). To prevent weeds stunting a gladiolus' growth, place a layer of pine straw around the plant. Surrounding the gladiolus with mulch helps the plant conserve moisture. Gladiolus plants are upright and feature clusters of red, yellow, orange, green and purple flowers.

Storage

• Because gladiolus plants are deciduous, the plant's leaves drop after the first frost of autumn. Once the plant's leaves fall, gardeners dig up the gladiolus' corm and store it indoors during the fall and winter. Remove the excess soil from the corm and place the corms in a warm, dry environment for approximately two to three weeks. After checking the corm for insects, wrap them in a paper bag or cloth sack and store them in cool environment with temperatures ranging between 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the corms to freeze. When May arrives, plant the corms for a new blooming cycle.

Pests and Diseases

• Like other plants, gladiolus are susceptible to pests and diseases. If left unattended, these problems shorten the plant's growth or lifespan. Gladiolus plants do not perform well in moist soil. Over-watering causes dry rot and leaf spots to appear. Dry rot symptoms are yellowing leaves and rotting stems. Leaf spots cause brown or black spots to appear on the gladiolus' leaves. Proper soil drainage prevents these diseases from occurring. Thrips are one of the gladiolus' primary pests. This insect is black with a white stripe on its back. Thrips eat the plant's leaves and stems. Remove infected leaves and place sticky tape on the gladiolus' stem to trap thrips.