The flowers on my last glad spike have horn like protrusions on them. Wondering what the cause is.
It is not a cause for concern. These can happen from time to time, more often depending on variety. They are just extra petals, and sometimes an illformed twin flower. They may, or may not bloom. They will often fall off as well.
This article will give you more information on the care of these plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
When do you cut back glads if they stay outdoors all winter? My flower bed looks a mess.
You can cut back anytime after the flower heads die off. Here is an article that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/trimming-leaves-on-gladiolus.htm
About half the corms were new, some from last year.
This is Darwin's Natural Selection at its finest! This is a very good example of how a species with a dominant trait can outcrowd, outcompete, and take over a given area. When they are the only left to reproduce, then they will be the only left to show.
You can help prevent this process but it will require digging up and dividing known colored offsets, and only planting the number of each that you desire. Unfortunately, this will be the only way to beat nature at its own game.
The answer missed the point - I am in the north where glad bulbs are dug up EVERY fall and replanted in the spring - there is no bulb separation to do! All bulbs are planted individually at least 6 inches apart - so now what would the answer be? I don't believe Darwinian selection has anything to do with my problem.
Yes, you will want to make sure that the tops are completely dead before taking these out of the ground. This article will help you to store these properly: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/storing-gladiola-corms.htm
not understand what is wrong!! would a feed of blood and bone help?
First, I wouldn't panic. Glads don't bloom in cool weather; mid to late summer is their time to shine. Here is an article that lists reasons for non-blooming. Yours appear to be healthy so ignore comments about rot. One caution: too much nitrogen causes lots of leafy growth at the expense of flowers. If you are using a long-acting fertilizer, additional bone meal, etc is not likely to be helpful. Glads are not "heavy feeders". https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/getting-gladiolus-to-bloom.htm
Have been dug, dried, and tops removed, can the old corms and husks be removed now before storage?
I remove the old corms prior to storage. Allow another day or two for that newly exposed area to dry.
I live in Arcata, CA Zone 9; our garden has clay soil type. We have an extra Yard that's down hill, shown in the picture; it's still on berry bushes madness. I'm planning to clear that out, then I found Gladiola bulb they sell it on our local market. Since that, I googled what is Gladiola and look on how to growing them, in love. Will Gladiola Grow on clay soil? The soil is clumped and not easy to loosen up, but I assure you that I dug 1 gallon of soil to put in a Schefflera plant, and they're doing fine. Will Gladiola will be fine to plant in clay soil type? Thank you
Some varieties will, but most will have a hard time with it. There are many ways to amend clay soil. This article will get you started: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
This article will give you examples of plants that will do well with the clay if amending is not an option: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/xeriscape-landscape-design-ideas-for-clay-soil.htm