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Try
to pick a spot with as near full sunlight as possible-performance will vary
indirectly with the amount of shade. Poor performance can be expected with 50%
shade. Select a location that provides good drainage. Glads do well in a wide
variety of soil types. A moderate amount of humus is desirable-however, if you
work hay, straw, leaves, manure, etc. into the soil, do it well in advance of
planting-to be safe, let us say at least six months. If you've grown a good
vegetable garden, follow pretty much the same program and you should have
excellent results. Glads like a pH of 6.2-6.5. Your first planting can be made
as early as the ground can be worked. Subsequent plantings should follow about
10 to 14 days. Soil
should be plowed or spaded to a depth of 8"-12" at which time an
all-purpose fertilizer, such as 5-10-10, should be incorporated at the rate of
1-1/2-2 lbs. per 100 square feet. Ideally the bulbs should be planted in rows 3
feet apart at a depth of 6" for large bulbs (somewhat less for medium and
smaller sizes). However, if you are cramped for space, 2 feet between rows will
still provide good access. Space bulbs 3" to 6" apart in the row.
Cover the bulbs to full depth. Glads
are poor competitors so do not allow weeds to get a foothold. Shallow
cultivation after heavy watering will keep the weeds from getting a start-a word
of caution, however-do not work the soil when it is saturated. As soon as your
glads are 5"-6" tall you should spray or dust with an all-purpose
insecticide. If you wait until insect damage is apparent, you've waited too
long. Continue spraying at 10 days intervals. When plants are beginning to come
into the 3rd leaf a side dressing with 5-10-10 at the rate of 2 lbs. per 100
feet of row, placed not closer than 6" from the plants. At the 5th leaf
stage you can now apply water soluble fertilizers – check with Roz-
up until the spikes form. During the growing period glads require not
less than one inch of water per week and considerably more during high
temperatures. Glads
should be dug up in the fall, but I do know people who leave them in all year,
but it is not recommended. Bulbs can be lifted anytime 4 weeks past the bloom
but before the tops turn brown. Cut the tops off the bulb and lay them out to
dry in a warm well ventilated area-a fan is a definite plus. In two to three
weeks, depending on the drying condition and bulb size, they will be ready to
clean. When properly cured the old bulb will separate easily from the new one. At this time examine the new bulbs and discard any that show signs of rot or scabbing. The cleaned bulbs should be dried further to cure the new scar after which time they should be stored at 40 degrees or as close to this temperature as possible, do not allow them to freeze. If stored at temperatures above 50 degrees, dust the bulbs with an insecticide. Keep bags open and well ventilated, or use screen bottom trays. Do not use plastic bags. |