How to Get Gladiola Bulbs to Grow Faster

Overview

Gladiola are vibrant members of the iris family. These tall, stately flowers are a showy addition to any growing area with their tall spires of blossoms rising beautifully among the other flowers. Gladiolus flowers put on a lengthy display each summer with blossoms bedecking the plants for as long as two weeks. Some gardeners delight in the pursuit of developing bigger gladioli bulbs in a shorter amount of time. There are gardening tricks for achieving larger gladiola bulbs.

Step 1

Prepare the planting area by working the soil with the garden spade down to a depth of between 6 and 9 inches. Add 2 to 3 inches of compost to the soil and work this in well with the spade. Rake the soil surface smooth.

Step 2

Dig holes for the gladiola bulbs that are between 4 and 6 inches deep. Space the holes approximately 2 inches apart. Add 2 tbsp. of the bulb fertilizer to each hole and then plant the gladiola bulbs in the prepared holes. Cover the bulbs with soil, and water the bulbs generously.

Step 3

Fertilize the gladiola plants again when the plants are approximately 6 inches high. Sprinkle the 2 tbsp. of fertilizer around each plant, and work the fertilizer into the soil with the hand rake. Water the plants generously after fertilizing.

Step 4

Feed the gladiola plants one more time as the blossoms begin to fade on the stalks. This last fertilization is the key to making large bulbs.

Step 5

Dig up the gladiola bulbs when the foliage turns yellow and withers. Cut the foliage off at soil level, and remove the bulbs from the soil.

Step 6

Dry the bulbs in a cool, dry location for two or three days. When the bulbs have a dry outer covering, divide the bulbs by pulling the small growths from the outer sides of the bulbs. Any small growths that are larger than 1/4 inch in diameter are large enough to plant.