Asked on Feb 23, 2014

Transplanting Gladiolas

Camilla
by Camilla
Douglas Hunt Two years ago I planted A LOT (approx. 80? +/-) gladiola bulbs. Of course all of them did not take. The problem is I planted them in a straight line. It is too hard to keep them all standing in this configuration (using stakes& garden twine), so I want to know when and if I can dig up the majority of them and clump them together instead? Figuring that it would be easier to stake in a circle then it is in a row. HELP?! Thanks :)
  8 answers
  • Jane Seaver Jane Seaver on Feb 23, 2014
    Fall is the best time to move them.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Feb 23, 2014
    Fall may be preferable, but since gladiolas have to be planted in spring in places where they are not winter-hardy, I don't see why you couldn't move them in the spring as well. If you tuck them around other plants rather than placing them together by themselves, the other plants may provide support.
  • Barbara R Barbara R on Feb 24, 2014
    You live in a cold climate like I do, I can't believe they would "winter" well at all, it's recommended they be dug up each fall and brought in from freezing. See what comes up this spring after the ground thaws and move them to where you want them while they are still budding. If most don't come up, I'd recommend you store them next winter in a paper bag somewhere where they won't freeze again.
  • Fay Stewart Fay Stewart on Feb 24, 2014
    I move mine around in the spring when they get too thick after our frost free date.
  • Camilla Camilla on Feb 24, 2014
    Thanks everyone
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on Feb 25, 2014
    Mom had gladiolas when I was growing up here at the old homeplace.. some still pop up every now n then..they are a pain as far as the falling over problem but a beautiful flower when they dont fall... I have moved them at all different times due to finding them during a project etc and they seem hardy enough.. I try not to expect too much from them as far as the falling over issue. I have tried clumping or grouping them together and they still manage to fall over. but as far as moving them they seem to be hardy enough to handle it and come back without much of an issue.. I think Ive finally LOST the last of them when the house burned in 2012 and had to be torn down though.
  • Joy  Johnson Joy Johnson on Feb 25, 2014
    My experience in N. GA is that gladioli bulbs returned for 2 seasons and then quit. I always thought the bulbs had to be dug up and replanted in the spring? I grew up in the gladioli Capitol of the world, Ft. Myers, Fl and it was my understanding that they were planted each season??
  • KathrynElizabeth Etier KathrynElizabeth Etier on Feb 25, 2014
    Not to discourage you, but...I planted mine in a mass planting, hoping to stake around them, and they still fell over. Maybe I'll plant them in tomato cages next!