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
Sow seed at 15°C in spring
Gladiolus corm rot and
grey moulds (botrytis) sometimes cause problems