Promotion of Sprouting in Gladiolus Cormels by Alternate Storage with Low and High Humidity and by Presoaking in Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

Abstract

Some experiments were carried out in order to promote sprouting of ‘Valeria’ cormels which are difficult to sprout when planted in early spring.
Sprouting was promoted by storing the cormels in alternate dry (in the air) and wet (in moist sphagnum) conditions. If the dry and wet conditions were alter nated weekly, 3 cycles of wetting and drying before planting were sufficient to stimulate sprouting.
Sprouting of the cormels was also hastened by presoaking them in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide for 3-24 hours just before planting. Similar results were obtained with other cultivars.
These treatments had the same, beneficial effects on sprouting of cormels as artificial cracking of their shells, perhaps by causing some physical changes to the shells.