Prevention of Gladiolus Top Droop

Sunlight

• Gladioluses are sun-loving flowering plants that need full sun exposure to bloom profusely and produce sturdy flower spikes. When deciding where to plant your gladiolus corms, look for a site that receives direct sunlight for more than six hours per day; locations that get sunlight in the morning and early afternoon are preferred to sites that get their sunlight in the late afternoon and early evening. Plant gladiolus corms pointed side up under 4 to 6 inches of soil.

Irrigation

• Gladioluses need ample moisture for healthy growth and development; plants that don't receive enough moisture produce weak spikes that are prone to drooping. Irrigate gladioluses regularly spring through summer while they are actively growing and blooming. Apply 1 inch of supplemental irrigation per week if rainfall is insufficient. Soak the ground thoroughly each time you irrigate; avoid light daily waterings, which result in shallow, poorly formed root systems. Reduce supplemental irrigation if the soil becomes waterlogged. Prolonged exposure to standing water causes gladiolus corms to rot.

Fertilization

• Provide gladioluses with a steady stream of nutrients to ensure hardy, vigorous growth. Two applications of high-phosphorus fertilizer each growing season is usually sufficient. Apply the first application when the gladiolus stalks are 6 to 10 inches tall. Fertilize the gladioluses a second time when the flower spikes start to show through the leaf sheaths. Consult the application and rate instructions on the fertilizer label; improper fertilization results in excessive foliage growth and poor quality blossoms.

Staking

• Staking is necessary to prevent gladioluses from drooping and ensure tall, straight flower spikes. Insert 1-inch-thick wooden garden stakes into the soil next to your gladioluses. Tie the gladiolus spikes to the wooden stakes in 10-inch intervals using strips of nylon pantyhose. Tie the spikes to the stakes loosely to avoid girdling their growth.