Introduction to Gladiolus

• Botanical Name: Gladiolus tristis
• Family: Iridaceae
• Common Name: Sword Lily or Corn Lily

Gladiolus is one of the most popular bulbous flowering plants, highly valued for its stunning tall flower spikes that come in various vibrant colors. Known as the “Queen of Bulbs,” it is widely used in gardens, floral arrangements, and for ornamental purposes due to its beauty and long-lasting flowers.

Importance and Uses of Gladiolus

• Ornamental Value: Gladiolus is grown for its aesthetic appeal in gardens, flower beds, and herbaceous borders. It enhances the visual appeal of any landscape.
• Cut Flowers: Gladiolus is one of the best flowers for cutting and is a popular choice for bouquets due to its long-lasting blooms, colorful spikes, and attractive appearance.
• Commercial Use: Widely grown as a cut flower crop for both domestic and international markets.
• Decorative Purposes: Perfect for use in vases, floral arrangements, and as garden plants.

Soil:

• Gladiolus requires well-drained, fertile loamy soil for optimum growth.
• Heavy, waterlogged, or sticky soils should be avoided, as they can cause the corms to rot.
• The soil pH should ideally be 6.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).

Climate:

• Gladiolus thrives in warm conditions and requires a sunny location to produce the best flowers.
• It is best suited to regions with moderate humidity and should be protected from strong winds that can damage the flower spikes.
• Temperature range: 15°C to 25°C is ideal for growth.
• Gladiolus does well in areas with a long growing season and requires moderate rainfall or regular irrigation.

Gladiolus Varieties

• MPKV, Rahuri
• Phule Ganesh: Yellow variety, yielding 2.08 lakh spikes/ha, with a long vase life.
• Phule Prerana: Pink, early-flowering variety, yielding 1.65 lakh spikes/ha, and is less susceptible to wilt.
• Phule Tejas: Purple variety.
• Phule Neelrekha: Blue variety.

Other Varieties:

• Suchitra
• Pusa Suhagan
• Sapana
• Yellowstone
• Hunting Song

Propagation of Gladiolus

Corm Propagation:

• Gladiolus is propagated through corms, which are specialized storage organs that help the plant survive in adverse conditions.
• Corms should be healthy, disease-free, and should weigh between 20-30 grams with a diameter of 4-5 cm.
• Conical-shaped corms are preferred over flat corms, as they produce better flowers.

Seed Treatment: Corms should be treated with Mancozeb at 0.3% before planting to prevent fungal infections and diseases.

Planting Gladiolus

Planting Time: The ideal time to plant gladiolus corms is October-November in regions with temperate climates.

Spacing:

• For ridges and furrows, space corms at 45 cm x 15 cm.
• For flat beds, space corms at 30 cm x 20 cm.
• Ensure proper spacing to allow for healthy growth and air circulation.

Planting Depth: Gladiolus corms should be planted shallow, about 5-10 cm deep.

Seed Rate: 1.6 lakh corms per hectare or 3200 kg per hectare is the recommended seed rate.

Manure and Fertilizers:

• Apply 20 tons of FYM (Farmyard Manure) per hectare to enrich the soil with organic matter.
• Use balanced fertilizers with the ratio 300:200:200 kg of NPK per hectare:
  • Apply phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) during planting.
  • Apply nitrogen (N) in three split doses at the 2-leaf, 4-leaf, and 6-leaf stages to support continuous growth.

Irrigation and Water Management

• Gladiolus plants need regular irrigation. Do not allow them to suffer from water stress, especially during the flowering phase when spikes are emerging.
• Irrigation Frequency: Water at intervals of 7-10 days, depending on the climate and soil moisture levels.
• Ensure well-drained soil and avoid over-watering, which may cause root rot and corm diseases.

Cultural Practices

Earthing Up: This practice is important for better root development and supporting the plant. Earthing up should be done 6-8 weeks after planting, or before the flower spikes emerge. If planted on ridges, this step is unnecessary.

Staking: Gladiolus plants grow tall and need staking to prevent them from falling over due to wind. Stake the plants when they reach a height of around 25 cm to ensure proper support throughout the growing phase.

• Harvesting Time: Gladiolus flowers are typically ready for harvest 80-90 days after planting.
• For Domestic Market: Harvest when 1-2 lower florets on the flower spike are open.
• For Export Market: Harvest when the color has fully developed, but the flowers should not be fully opened to maintain freshness during transportation.

Yield:

• Gladiolus yields 2-2.5 lakh spikes per hectare.
• The yield of corms can be up to 20,000 kg per hectare.

Pests:

• Thrips: These are common pests that damage flowers. They can be controlled with Dimethoate or other insecticides.
• Caterpillars: These insects attack the foliage and flowers. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or chemical insecticides to control caterpillars.

Diseases:

• Wilt Disease: This is common in gladiolus, especially in wet conditions. Use resistant varieties like Phule Prerana and avoid waterlogging.
• Leaf Spot: A fungal disease that affects the foliage. Regular spraying of fungicides like Mancozeb can help manage this.
• Corm Rot: Caused by waterlogging or over-watering. Ensure well-drained soil and avoid excess moisture around the corms.