Grow gladioli in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Plant corms 10-16cm deep (4-6in) in spring. If the soil is not perfectly drained, plant the corms on a bed of sand. When the flower spikes reach one third to half their final height, feed with a potassium-rich fertiliser such as a tomato feed. Repeat every 10-14 days until three weeks after flowering. In areas where there is frost, lift the corms when the foliage has turned yellow-brown. Snap the stem off the corms and dry the corms off for 14 days and keep the new corms dry and frost-free until planting time
Snap off old stems from the corms when lifting them for winter storage
Propagate by separating cormlets when dormant
Gladiolus corm rot and
grey moulds (botrytis) sometimes cause problems