Bulb versus corm
In horticultural terms, gladiolus grow from corms which are similar to bulbs.
Onions are good examples of bulbs.
Corms are flatter in appearance.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
You want to wait until the foliage has turned brown and died back.
It’s okay to grasp dead foliage to gently pull the attached corms from the ground.
Shake off excess dirt and inspect the attached corms.
Before storing, the first step is to remove any dead foliage.
The largest corms have a withered corm attached.
This is the original mother corm and should be removed and disposed of.
You’ll also find numerous smaller corms (cormlets) attached.
They pull apart fairly easily or can be separated with a hand pruner.
Throw out any that are soft, shriveled, or damaged.
Separate smaller and larger corms.
You’ll replant large ones in spring for next summer’s flowers.
Smaller ones can be kept for propagation or disposed of depending on your preference.
Want more gardening tips?
They multiply rapidly, putting out numerous cormlets that drain energy from the flowering corm and cause overcrowding.
Hardy gladiolus can be dug in autumn.
Lay the corms out in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot, out of direct sunlight.
After the curing period, inspect them and dispose of any that are soft or shriveled.
you could dust them lightly with an antifungal powder but this step is optional.
Unheated basements, garages, and screened porches are good places for overwintering gladiolus corms.
Some gardeners even keep them in the vegetable bin of a refrigerator.
Aim for a temperature of 40F.
Adequate ventilation is important so screens, onion bags, cloth bags, or paper sacks are all options.
you’re able to also layer corms in cardboard boxes.
Lay them out so they don’t touch and cover each layer with newspaper or sand.
What to Do With Gladiolus Bulbs Over Winter
Harvesting gladiolus bulbs too early is a common error.
Cormlets can be stored and planted in a separate location the following spring to allow them to mature.
They won’t produce flowers until dug up, stored, and replanted the second year.
Gladiolus corms need a longer curing period than many other types of flowering bulbs.
Completing this task in autumn saves you time during the busy spring planting season.
Tender varieties need to be dug and stored for winter every year.
Yes, fairly rapidly.
