EFFECT OF PLANTING DATES ON THE GROWTH OF GLADIOLUS CORMS IN PESHAWAR

The effect of planting dates on the growth of gladiolus corms in Peshawar was studied at Ornamental Nursery, Department of Horticulture, Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan during February-September, 2009. The cormels of gladiolus cv. White Friendship were planted on 5 various dates with a regular interval of 15 days i.e. February-18, March- 05, March-20, April-04 and April-19. Planting dates showed significant effects on various parameters and maximum values were obtained from plantation done on 18th February for sprouting percentage (77.12), number of leaves per plant (7.06), survival percentage (82.96), leaf area (65.76 cm2), plant height (67.39 cm), diameter of corms (3.19 cm), percent increase in cormel size (139.58) and corms weight (10.76 g). Whereas earliest sprouting was observed in cormels planted on 19th April (20.11 days) and maximum numbers of cormels per plant were observed in those planted on 4th April (3.83).