Effect of Removal of Leaves, Flowers and Rachis on the Production of Corms in Gladiolus

In gladiolus cv. Friendship’ flower spikes were removed at different stages of opening either without leaves or along with two or four leaves. In a couple of treatments the rachis was retained after removal of florets before opening or after half of florets were opened. It was observed that, in general, the corm size and weight increased when the spikes were removed before opening of the florets, or after 2, 4 or half the number of florets opened either singly or along with 2 leaves compared to control (where the spike was retained) and when spike was cut after all the florets opened. The retaining of rachis but removal of florets adversely affected the corm production. The spike removal treatment had no effect on the cormel production.