Want to Make Money from Flowers? Here’s How to Grow Gladiolus Like a Pro! Easy Steps, Expert Tips & Hidden Tricks Every Gardener Must Know

Gladiolus, often known as the “sword lily”, is a striking flower loved for its tall, colorful spikes. With proper care, this flower can be grown successfully in Bangladesh and many other regions, offering both beauty and commercial value.

Soil & Climate Requirements
Gladiolus grows well in a variety of fertile soils, but well-drained loamy or sandy-loam soils are best.

Soil pH: 6.0–7.0

Climate: Cool weather is ideal

Temperature: 15–20°C is optimal for growth and flowering

Light: Needs 8–10 hours of sunlight daily

Tip: Choose a sunny, wind-protected location for the best results.

Recommended Varieties
The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has developed three popular varieties:

BARI Gladiolus-1

BARI Gladiolus-2

BARI Gladiolus-3
These are well-suited for all regions in the country.

Propagation
Gladiolus can be propagated through seeds, corms, and cormels.

For commercial farming, planting corms (4–5 cm in diameter) is the most effective method.

Land Preparation & Fertilizer Application
Best planting time: October–November
Soil Preparation:

Till the land thoroughly to make it soft and crumbly.

Fertilizer per square meter:

Well-rotted cow dung or compost: 5–6 kg

Urea: 10g

TSP: 30g

MOP: 30g

Application Tip:
Mix compost, TSP, and MOP into the soil during the final tilling.
Apply half of the Urea 20–25 days after planting and the other half when flower spikes begin to emerge.

Corm Planting Guide
Soak corms in water for 12 hours before planting to speed up sprouting.

Disinfect corms by soaking them in a Dithane M-45 solution (30–35g per 10 liters of water) for a few minutes, then dry in the shade.

Plant at 5–6 cm depth with 20 cm row spacing and 15 cm between corms.

Care & Maintenance
Keep the field weed-free

Water as needed during dry periods

After irrigation, loosen the soil gently around plants

Provide support sticks or plastic ropes to prevent plants from falling over in the wind

Pest & Disease Control:

Common diseases:

Leaf and flower blight

Fusarium rot (stem and root rot)

Treatment:

Spray Bavistin (0.2%) or Dithane M-45 every 15 days

Pests:

Control using insecticides like Rison or Parathion

Flower Harvesting
Harvest when 1–2 florets bloom at the base of the spike

Immediately place flowers upright in a bucket of water

Store in a cool environment (6–7°C) for longer freshness

Leave 4–5 leaves on the plant during harvest to help nourish the corm for next season

Corm Lifting & Storage
Best time: March–April (when leaves turn yellow and dry)

Carefully dig out the corms to avoid injury

Separate large and small corms, then dry them in the shade

Disinfect in 0.1% Benlate or 0.2% Captan solution for 30 minutes

Store in breathable polythene bags in a cool, dry room

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