How to grow gladiolus with more flowers

 

The research conducted in Holland found that the higher the K amount, the Gladiolus have more flowers and healthier bulbs

 

 

Crop/cultivar

Gladiolus/ Traderhorn
Country / location Holland / LBO trial station @ Lisse (flower-bulb research center)
Objectives Long-term research (1994-1997) intended to: Find best K and N  S.D. regime. Learn K uptake by the plant
Haifa product tested Multi-KMg prill
Application method Side dressing , soil application
Tested treatment 4 x S.D. @ 230, 465, 700 or 930 Kg/Ha Multi-KMg
Control treatment results   1994 1995 1996
Mean bulb weight (g) 36.4 31.2 29.1
Bloom rate (%)     55.4
Botrytis infection rate (1-10 scale)     6.3
Fusarium infection rate (%)     0.93
Best treatment results   1994 1995 1996
Mean bulb weight (g) 41.6 35.1 29.4
Bloom rate (%)     72.3
Botrytis infection rate (1-10 scale)     2.0
Fusarium infection rate (%)     0.0
Characteristics of best treatment Yield increase: 1-13%.
Grower’s revenue from yield:  depends on bulb size and variety
Cost of treatment (application + material) 250 US$/Ha
Net benefit of best treatment 400 US$/Ha
Benefit/Cost ratio 1.6
Conclusions General: Gladiolus is a relatively high K demanding crop, it can be regarded as a target crop. The higher the K amount, the more flowers & healthier bulbs.
Bulb size: on previous years there was found a positive effect. It did not show this year. Best results can be expected from treatments at the latter growth stages - August onward.
Reference M. Roelofs; Mr. Bruin, LBO trial Station