I have a medium size garden with tulips growing so, after they bloom, I plant my glads. The first few years i did this they were wonderful but the last couple of years not so much. I planted over 100 and I may get half that many flowers. I even bought some new bulbs this year -- my flowers are small and not many of them.
Gladiola are not hardy in zone 5. (hardy in zones 8-11) In zones 6 and 7 they return if mulched heavily. So that might account for many of your losses. Is your soil well-drained? If not, the corms may have rotted. Are they in a sunny location? They may be overcrowded.
This fall, try digging up the corms and overwintering the ones that look healthy. Replant in spring with fertilizer added to planting trnch. Instructions are below:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/storing-gladiola-corms.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/getting-gladiolus-to-bloom.htm
It has rained so much the trees are coming out by the roots - ground is soaked..?
Yes, the corms may have rotted. Here is more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/getting-gladiolus-to-bloom.htm
My gladioli are planted against a wall. We need to fumigate the house and were told the gas will kill all plants. I want to save the gladioli. Can I remove them now even though they're still actively blooming?
Since the alternative is getting fumigated, I would take the chance on digging them up. The only thing is they won't get the chance to rejuvenate the corms by the extra time in the ground. I would move them all into pots and leave them there till you can replant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/trimming-leaves-on-gladiolus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/growing-glads-in-containers.htm
This is the first flowering of these bulbs.
They are seed pods!
This article will help you to care for Glads: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
I just bought bulbs and need to know if I should store them for the winter or plant now
They should be planted in Spring! This article will help you to store them until then: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/storing-gladiola-corms.htm
This article will help you to grow these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
It looks like I am in Zone 5. I am only wanting to plant Glads, Giant Sunflower, Plate Hibiscus and Hollyhocks. Absolutely new to gardening.
Generally start seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. The seed packet will tell more.
Hollyhocks and sunflower grow easily from seed planted directly outside. You can plant hollyhock seeds one week before the last frost. Sunflowers you can plant after the last frost.
Gladiola corms are planted directly in the soil beginning in spring. You can buy those online or in garden centers.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-5/zone-5-hibiscus-care.htm
I have gladiolus and want to know if I can pile rock up around stem and why part of stem is red rather then green it's 43 inches tall.
It's hard to say whether the different color at the base of the stem is a problem or just a natural occurrence, since much of the energy is concentrated there. Check out this article: https://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/rpds/651.pdf
The rocks shouldn't present a problem but if they are to hold up the gladioli, do it very loosely so as not to damage the stems. Here's an article with more info about how to grow them and one on staking glads:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/staking-gladiolus-plants.htm