The shoots were about 3 inch high now they are about an inch
They may, or may not flower this season, but they will likely survive just fine. Just keep caring for them as usual, and they will recover.
This article will help you to care for them:
they didn’t even come up and still no sign of them this year either so I’m trying it again. Help help help! Where should I plant my Gladiolus?
You live in hardiness zone 6 and most gladiolus are hardy only to zones 7 or 8. The next time you buy, notice the hardiness zone of the glads. If you buy some that are not hardy in your area, just lift the corms in the fall and store them overwinter. Plant them in a sunnier area next time with good drainage.
Here's an article that should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/getting-gladiolus-to-bloom.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/storing-gladiola-corms.htm
Inspired to plant some summer bulbs I ordered 100 gladioli in April from Gardening express. But the covid disruption meant I only received these yesterday (22nd June). Some of the corms have already developed tiny little shoots. As an absolute novice I'm reluctant to plant these out now as it maybe too late in the year. What should I do? Plant them out? Or store them and if so how to store them best?
I bet they will still bloom if you plant them now. I bought oriental lilies on sale last summer and planted them and they still bloomed. Plus, you don't have to lift them in the fall since your weather rarely gets below freezing. So they should return again next year.
Yes, the best way to store bulbs is in the ground. They are less likely to shrivel and die or develop fungal problems. If the type of gladioli that you purchased aren't hardy in London, you are left with digging them up in 4 months or so. Two species, G. communis and G. byzantinus are said to be hardy if temps don't go below -10 Celsius. Otherwise, dig them up, let them dry and store in a cool, dry location. Here's more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/gladiola/care-of-gladiolas-how-to-grow-gladiolas-in-your-garden.htm
I live in Northwestern Arkansas. My soil is rocky.
Did you dig them up and overwinter the corms or did you mulch them well and leave them in the ground? If they were overwintered, they may have been mixed up when replanted. If left in the ground, it may have something to do with how they multiplied.
Forgot to plant the bulbs in spring.
This will take about 2 or 3 weeks. Make sure to keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet, as this can rot the corms before they sprout.
Here is an article that will help you grow these plants:
Live in Zone 4.
Since they bloom in the summer, wait till spring to plant them. If you plant some every two weeks, you will have gladioli blooming all summer!
Since you are in zone 4, they are not hardy. You will need to dig them up and store them over the winter if you want to keep them. Here is more:
Hi, please can someone tell me how is it that I have lovely Gladiolus plants growing and spreading in my garden and I have never planted Gladiolus bulbs?
Some plants can be planted so often they "escape" cultivation and begin to grow wild.
I also understand that there are some genuine wildflower gladiolus varieties that grow in the UK. You were lucky enough to get some!